Investigate real financial crime cases
White-Collar Crime Fellowship
Follow the money from classroom to case file
The Tiffin University White-Collar Crime Fellowship Program gives students the chance to investigate real financial crime cases while earning their degree. Jointly led by the School of Criminal Justice and Social Sciences and the School of Business, the program prepares the next generation of fraud examiners, forensic accountants, compliance officers and financial crime investigators.
During the fellowship, students may:
- Work on active white-collar crime investigations with law enforcement, regulatory agencies and business partners
- Help examine financial records, emails and digital evidence to identify fraud patterns and document losses
- Learn how to handle evidence correctly, follow chain of custody and prepare investigative reports
- Use professional tools for data analytics, link analysis, forensic accounting and digital forensics
- Meet and learn from fraud examiners, forensic accountants, FBI agents, prosecutors and corporate investigators
- Explore pathways toward certifications such as Certified Fraud Examiner and related professional credentials
The fellowship is designed for high-achieving destination students across majors, with a maximum of 50 students in the program. Over four to five years, fellows move from foundation learning and observation to supervised case work, independent analysis and leadership of investigative teams. Throughout the program, they build professional networks, explore certification paths and strengthen their readiness for careers in financial crime investigation.
White-Collar Crime Fellowship Experience
First Year
- Build a foundation in industry terminology and core concepts in white-collar crime
- Observe experienced investigators and learn how professional investigations are structured
- Study evidence handling protocols and investigative workflows
- Attend guest presentations from fraud examiners, FBI agents, forensic accountants and other experts
Second Year
- Join an investigative team working under close faculty supervision
- Complete focused analytical tasks such as organizing records, creating timelines and reviewing transactions
- Gain first exposure to specialized software tools for data analysis, link analysis and forensic accounting
- Take part in problem-solving exercises, immersion visits and other applied learning experiences
Third Year
- Take on independent analysis for specific parts of active cases with faculty oversight
- Apply advanced techniques in financial analysis, digital forensics and fraud detection
- Prepare formal investigative summaries and reports for law enforcement agencies or business partners
- Explore professional certification options and internships in financial crime investigation, compliance or forensic accounting
Fourth Year and Graduate Fellows
- Lead investigation teams and mentor newer fellows on case assignments
- Manage complex cases from intake through completion in coordination with agency or business partners
- Complete capstone investigative projects and present findings to external stakeholders
- Pursue advanced internships, research and publication on white-collar crime topics and continue preparing for professional certifications
To Apply:
Application deadline is February 1.
- Complete the Undergraduate Student Application. When asked if you are interested in Fellowships, select “yes”.
- GPA requirement: minimum 3.0 high school GPA; maintain a 3.0 college GPA and above to remain in program.
- We encourage you to attend a Fellowship Open House event for additional information.
- As part of the admissions process, all applicants will participate in an interview with the program director. Interviews are typically conducted virtually and provide an opportunity to discuss your interests, experiences, and fit for the fellowship.
- White-Collar Crime Fellowship Program contract — all students accepted into the White-Collar Crime Fellowship Program must continue to meet the fellowship GPA requirements, be active and engaged in all fellowship activities, and observe all fellowship policies.
Fellowship Directors
Rhonda Gilreath, Ph.D.
School of Business
Degrees & Certificates
Ph.D., in Accounting, Northcentral University
M.B.A., Tiffin University
B.B.A., in Accounting, Tiffin University
A.S., The University of Kentucky
Professor Gilreath has been with Tiffin University as an adjunct professor since 1998 teaching accounting, economics and finance courses. She became full-time in the fall of 2008. Professor Gilreath has worked at United Way, British Petroleum Oil (BP Oil) and Cooper Tire & Rubber Company holding various positions relating to accounting and finance. In addition, she owned and operated a tax and accounting business for 14 years.
Professor Gilreath has been an educational member of The Ohio Society of CPAs, American Institute of CPAs (AICPA), Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) and Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE).
Sandra Miller, Ph.D.
School of Criminal Justice and Social Sciences
Degrees & Certificates
Ph.D., Psychology, Northcentral University
M.S., Criminal Justice (Forensic Psychology and Justice Administration), Tiffin University
B.Ed., University of Toledo
Dr. Miller is an Associate Professor of Criminology in the School of Criminal Justice and Social Sciences, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses. Before joining Tiffin University as full-time faculty, Dr. Miller served as an adjunct professor for 15 years and taught graduate courses at the University of Toledo and police science courses at Owens Community College. Dr. Miller received her B.Ed. from the University of Toledo, her MSCJ with concentrations in both justice administration and forensic psychology from Tiffin University, and her Ph.D. in Psychology from Northcentral University.
Prior to joining Tiffin University, Dr. Miller was a detective for 34 years with the Toledo Police Department. Her main field of expertise was sex crimes investigations, and her vast experience as a detective also includes investigating homicides, violent crimes against persons, property crimes, and juvenile crimes.
Dr. Miller’s research interests are focused on police mental health. As an employee assistance professional (EAP) with the Toledo Police Department Dr. Miller was involved in numerous debriefings following critical incidents, provided guidance and advice to officers struggling with PTSD and grief, and provided education and monitoring of the mental wellness of officers and their families.
Dr. Miller currently volunteers as a CASA/GAL (Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian Ad Litem) for Lucas County and sits on the City of Toledo Civilian Police Review Board. On campus, you can find Dr. Miller working as a Deputy Title IX Coordinator and civil rights investigator.
“This fellowship transforms students from learners into professionals by giving them real investigative experience before they graduate, while working in interdisciplinary teams of business and criminal justice majors guided by professionals with real-world experience.”
“What makes this fellowship unique is that students don’t study fraud — they actively engage in understanding, identifying, and preventing it alongside business and criminal justice students, under the mentorship of industry professionals, including a Certified Fraud Examiner.”
