Current occupation:
Detective
What made you decide to pursue your degree as an adult?
I have a true passion for the field of law enforcement and one of the things I love to be involved in most is leadership. One day, I would like to be a chief of police for a small to mid-size agency and a degree is almost always required.
Why did you choose to study at Tiffin University?
I completed a lot of research trying to find the right program that would not only meet my expectations for the quality of my degree but would also be attainable around my work and family schedule. With Tiffin University allowing for credit for prior workplace learning, a discount from FOP, and the quality of their criminal justice program, it was a no-brainer.
Describe your experience with the program so far.
My biggest fear was starting college again after being out of it for over a decade. I was not sure how compatible the workload would be with my caseload at work. I was surprised to find that the online classes are user-friendly and expectations as well as course material are laid out well.
Due to the online nature of my coursework, the interaction has not been as inclusive as it would be if I was studying on campus, however, with discussion board posts, feedback on assignments, and weekly, (sometimes bi-weekly), emails, I feel as connected as I can be.
How are you juggling work, life and going back to school? Any tips?
I prioritize schoolwork over my own personal time. I currently work overnights and maintain the schedule on my days off. Because of this, I am able to work, spend time with family, and then complete my coursework. I have found that it is very important to take any opportunity you can to get ahead of schedule in any given course. If you wrap up your weekly assignments before the Sunday deadline, take a short break, then jump right back into the next week. This allows for life to happen and removes the fear of missing an assignment.
What keeps you motivated to stay in the program?
Graduation! I have one more seven-week session after this one wraps up and I will have my bachelor’s. Seeing the fruits of my labor pay off each week and knowing I will have given myself a nice Christmas present this year in the form of a completed degree keep me moving forward.
What advice would you give to a prospective student who is thinking about going back to school?
Make sure your family is on board and that they know the dedication and resources it will take. Plan accordingly and then jump in with both feet. Just like in law enforcement, you cannot do this with half-heartedness. Dedication, hard work, and remembering your why will get you through busy weeks.
TU’s motto is: Without risk there is no gain. Can you tell us about a time when you took a risk and what you gained from it?
I believe each time I signed up for an ancillary assignment, (K9, SRT, DRE, etc.), I took some sort of a risk. Although I enjoyed each area before signing up for them, once I was assigned the position I had to follow through and prove my worth. The amount of training and experience that I gained from these assignments has been immeasurable. Signing up for classes at Tiffin was a risk. I was dedicating time and money, not knowing if I would be able to get back into the swing of college classes, or if a work or life event would happen that would cause me to have to stop completing coursework. Taking this risk, however, has brought on new knowledge and new experiences that will directly correlate to the career field.