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When Chayce Strauch arrived at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, he brought with him a strong interest in the legal field, a background in mock trial and a desire to better understand how laws shape society.
That interest quickly found a home in UW-Superior’s legal studies and criminal justice programs.
“It was a really easy fit for me to see myself talking about those issues every day,” Strauch said.
Finding his academic direction
Strauch began his studies focused on legal structures and courtroom processes, building on his previous experience with mock trial. But as he progressed through his coursework, he discovered an unexpected passion for criminal justice and sociology.
“Criminal justice focused more on social issues and understanding how laws impact people,” he said. “That’s what really surprised me — how much I liked those classes.”
That shift broadened his academic perspective, moving him beyond procedural aspects of law and into deeper questions about justice, inequality and societal impact.
A pivotal moment came through an independent research project examining how crime is portrayed on reality television. What initially felt like a less traditional academic topic turned into a meaningful exploration of media representation and public perception.
“At first, I thought, ‘That doesn’t feel academic,’” he said. “But it turned into something really meaningful.”
Research that made an impact
Strauch’s research ultimately took him to Denver, where he presented at the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences conference. Sharing his work with scholars and professionals helped solidify his confidence as a researcher.
“I felt like I had this fluff piece,” he said. “But then I got up there and realized how much people in the room cared.”
The experience reshaped how he viewed his work and its significance.
“They made me think about my topic in ways I never had,” he said. “Seeing how excited people were to talk about it — that was when I realized, OK, I’m actually doing something here.”
Reviving mock trial at UW-Superior
Outside the classroom, Strauch played a central role in bringing back UW-Superior’s mock trial program — an effort that combined his academic interests with hands-on leadership.
“During my entire time at UWS, I kept saying, ‘We should get a team going,’” he said.
As a student employee, Strauch was tasked with exploring how to reestablish the program. He developed a plan and remained involved even after graduation, using a gap year to help bring the team to life.
“It was really cool to work with the students and see how much they cared,” he said.
He collaborated closely with faculty, including Meg Chrusciel, assistant professor of legal studies and criminal justice, to navigate logistics and ensure the program’s sustainability.
“It was about figuring out where I could help most and knowing when to ask questions,” he said.
A campus that adapts to students
Strauch credits UW-Superior’s flexibility and strong faculty support as key to his success. That support met him at every stage of his college experience, encouraging both personal growth and academic exploration.
“It’s a school that really meets you where you’re at,” he said.
Early in his time at UWS, that flexibility also helped him balance academics with a serious health challenge. Strauch was undergoing treatment for leukemia during his first year, which required weekly chemotherapy and close coordination with his care team.
Faculty were aware of his situation and worked with him to ensure he could succeed academically while managing treatment.
“They were all super great, really fantastic and accommodating,” he said.
Looking back, Strauch credits that support — along with the timing of increased flexibility during the COVID-19 pandemic — for helping him stay on track.
“At the time it felt easy comparatively,” he said. “Only after now being healthy, I realized it wasn’t easy.”
Mentorship and next steps
Mentorship played a defining role in shaping Strauch’s path, particularly his work with Chrusciel.
“Without her, things would have been significantly harder,” he said.
Her guidance helped him navigate academic opportunities, research and long-term planning — ultimately influencing his decision to pursue graduate school instead of law school.
“I certainly wouldn’t be going to grad school right now if it wasn’t for her mentorship,” he said.
Strauch will continue his academic journey in a sociology graduate program at Virginia Tech, which is considered one of the best in the nation. There he plans to build on the research foundation he developed at UW-Superior.
As he prepares for the next chapter, Strauch remains focused on learning and growth.
“The more you learn, the more you realize you don’t know,” he said. “Right now, I just want to take in as much knowledge as I can.”