Discovering the humanity of criminal justice: Janet Brewer
By Laura Pohl, Contributing Writer
Students of Dr. Janet Brewer find that studying criminal justice encompasses far more than the legal system. She believes that modern justice requires lawyers who understand psychology, officers who understand neuroscience, administrators who understand law, and citizens who understand fairness. She’s determined to prepare students at Governors State University (GovState) to bring these qualities to their careers.
Brewer is both a neuropsychologist and an attorney with clinical and forensic experience. She received her law degree from DePaul University and a master’s degree in molecular genetics from Harvard University. An associate professor in the Division of Arts and Letters, she earned tenure at GovState in 2025.
Fostering connections across disciplines
Brewer is passionate about teaching at the intersections of law, neuroscience, psychology, and justice. Conversations in her class help students understand “how the brain develops, how trauma and neurobiology shape behavior, and how the legal system interprets—and often misinterprets—those realities,” Brewer explains.
“I believe that education is both a public service and a social responsibility—a means of shaping ethical professionals who will interact with vulnerable populations, exercise discretion, and make decisions that affect lives.”
Students find connections to their own lives
Brewer’s teaching is inspired first and foremost by her students, especially their resilience, curiosity, and courage. “Many of my most meaningful teaching moments have come through students who connected deeply with the material to transform their own lives,” she said. Her classroom includes students with incarcerated family members, students who’ve been victims of crimes like domestic abuse and students who are already employed in the justice system.
Learning through experience
Brewer seeks to make learning immersive, relevant, and hands-on. Classroom enrichment includes mock trials and oral arguments, where students prepare legal briefs, examine “witnesses,” and present cases using Socratic reasoning; international human rights tribunals, where students analyze global injustices and apply comparative law; and research simulations using real-world correctional videos.
In addition, Brewer’s students have written blog presentations to translate complex justice issues. They benefited from experiences like an off-campus trip to hear oral arguments on a wrongful conviction case before the Illinois Supreme Court at Northern Illinois University and observing case management conferences in nearby Drug Courts.
Helping students see themselves as professionals
While Brewer imparts knowledge, she also wants her students to leave her classes with the belief that they belong in professional careers. “Through courtroom visits, simulations, and real-world engagements, students come to see themselves as future attorneys, investigators, policymakers, clinicians, researchers, and advocates.” She also wants them to believe they can influence the judicial system, help them understand human behavior, gain confidence in their voices and perspectives, and develop a lifelong commitment to learning.
GovState invests in student success
“GovState cultivates greatness in students who’ve rarely had institutions cultivate greatness in them before,” Brewer says. “Many students bring lived experience—from social justice challenges to professional frontline work—that enriches every discussion. They are resilient, ambitious, hardworking, and deeply motivated to give back to their communities.”
These students flourish at GovState, thanks to its culture of support. “Faculty invest personally in student success. Advising, mentoring, and creative problem-solving are part of everyday teaching.”
Interested in applying for the Criminal Justice program at GovState? Click here to learn more about the Criminal Justice program.