Former learning community peer mentors embark on interesting careers

Less than two years after graduating from Iowa State, alumni Jae Fehrle (’23 criminal justice) and Delaney Murphy (’23 criminal justice, psychology) are at the genesis of their dynamic careers. Fehrle is in law school at Drake University, and Murphy works at the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI).

While Fehrle and Murphy’s criminal justice degrees led them down different paths, they agree that Iowa State and the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice trained them well for their future endeavors.

Here’s a look at how their careers are shaping up so far.

Jae Fehrle

While at Iowa State, Fehrle was enrolled in the 3+3 Law School Agreement. This program allows students to earn an undergraduate degree at Iowa State and a law degree at either Drake University or the University of Iowa in six years rather than the usual seven.

Fehrle felt a criminal justice degree along with a sociology minor would best prepare her for law school and her future career as an attorney. Currently, she is wrapping up her final year of law school and will graduate in May 2025. Following successful completion of the bar exam, Fehrle wants to be a county criminal prosecutor in Iowa.

“I enjoy helping victims of crime while holding defendants accountable for their actions,” she said.

During her time at Iowa State, Fehrle was active in the Criminal Justice League Learning Community, where she served as a peer mentor for two years. This experience offered a sense of community as she navigated her way through Iowa State and the criminal justice major.

“This opportunity helped connect me with more students interested in criminal justice as well as professionals in the area,” she said.

Fehrle’s advice for current and prospective students is to get out of your comfort zone.

“I recommend that students go out and try new things, and always work hard for the things that matter to you,” she said. “A strong work ethic can take you far in life.”

Delaney Murphy

Murphy’s double major in criminal justice and psychology as well as a sociology minor have been foundational in her role with the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI).

Following graduation from Iowa State, Murphy was hired as a civilian in the Palace Acquire Program for OSI. In the future, she will attend the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center to complete a special agent training course. After obtaining special agent status, Murphy will begin conducting field work and investigations.

Murphy said Iowa State was instrumental in helping her land this position.

“Iowa State prepared me with the ability to communicate efficiently, build connections, produce work that I am proud of (even when it’s hard), and it gave me people who helped me get where I am today,” she said. “I’m immensely grateful for the push from my criminal justice professors and staff, especially Dr. Leana Bouffard, who always encouraged me to do my best and taught me what it meant to be a good person in this field.”

While at Iowa State, Murphy participated in the Criminal Justice Club and served as a peer mentor in the Criminal Justice League Learning Community.

“These programs helped me understand the importance of connections and ‘who you know,’” Murphy said. “As students, we were all aspiring to enter the same field and it was beneficial to know members of the justice system across the country.”

Murphy’s advice for current and prospective students is to not be afraid to take a chance.

“My biggest piece of advice would be to ‘do it scared.’ This phrase was passed to me by one of my biggest mentors and it was a piece of advice that I carry every day,” Murphy said. “You can be your biggest critic and the one standing in your way. You will never get what you don’t ask for, so even if every sign says you can’t do it or if it seems scary, that’s more of a reason to fight for it.”