Detective, TV personality speaking to Trine CJ students

Mannina is alumna

 

Christine Mannina, a 1993 Tri-State criminal justice graduate, Indianapolis homicide detective and member of the cast of an Investigation Discovery Channel television show, will visit Trine University Oct. 1 to speak to students in the Department of Criminal Justice, Psychology and Social Sciences.

Mannina is a 14-year police department veteran who has spent the last eight years in a homicide division. She has maintained a case solve rate high above the national average, and finished the year 2008 with a 100 percent solve rate. She has earned numerous honors, including Detective of the Year, Officer of the Month, and the Medal of Merit. She graduated from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy with honors.

Her work is showcased in the Investigation Discovery Channel television show “The Shift,” which tracks her and her co-workers as they investigate homicides. The highly successful show is filming its second season.

She will share an inspiring story of hard work, determination, fulfillment and living one’s dream. “Since the show began to air, I find myself recognized more and more frequently by the public. Many people, especially young people, stop me on the street to tell me I’ve somehow inspired them. They say seeing me in action has motivated them to be strong in their own lives and to take some action to pursue their dreams,” she said.

She will emphasize the hard road to success. “As a member of the police force, I feel qualified to speak to them about the choices they make, and how those choices will influence their lives. As someone who has worked very hard to get where she is, I also feel qualified to speak about the importance of being tenacious and hard-working,” she said.

Speaking to academic groups brings her great joy, she said. “It allows me to connect with groups of people, and tell them about my work and how important public safety is. They seem to be especially inspired by meeting someone who is living her life’s passion.”

She will speak to the students of department chair Craig Laker and assistant professor John Milliken in Best Hall room 221from 8-9:15 and 9:30-10:45 a.m. and from 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Laker said hosting real-world practitioners as classroom guest speakers supplements the university’s ever-growing criminal justice program and presents a great advantage to the students. “They compliment what is taught in the classroom. Our program is career-oriented, and highly successful alumnae like Christine demonstrate its value,” he said.