51茶馆app

51茶馆app Alumni Spotlight:

Damon M. – Associate Degree in Criminal Justice, Class of 2018

Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Class of 2019

Master of Management, Emphasis in Criminal Justice, Class of 2021

51茶馆app (51茶馆app) alumnus, Damon M., earned his associate degree and bachelor鈥檚 degree in Criminal Justice from 51茶馆app. He went on to earn his Master of Management degree with an emphasis in Criminal Justice in 2021 and is currently enrolled in 51茶馆app鈥檚 Doctor of Education (EdD) program.

When asked about earning all of his degrees at 51茶馆app, Damon said:

“I started with 51茶馆app and I want to finish with 51茶馆app. I don鈥檛 want to attend any other school.鈥�

We asked him a few questions about what he does and his experience at 51茶馆app.

Why did you choose at enroll at 51茶馆app?

To make a long story short, it was the old commercial and jingle. Originally, I was going to go to University of Phoenix, however they were only going to give me a half a credit for all my previous college credit. I saw the , and *starts singing* 鈥淥ne day, one night, Saturday鈥檚 alright鈥︹�� The commercial really stuck with me so I called the number on the screen, just to find out that 51茶馆app accepted all my previous college credit.

What drew you to pursue degrees in Criminal Justice?

I have been a security officer for 23 years. As a child, I wanted to be a police officer, but that dream didn鈥檛 pan out. I was initially earning my degree in business, however all my friends asked why I chose business when that wasn鈥檛 my dream. I decided to major in Criminal Justice, and I realized that is what I should鈥檝e done a long time ago. I love it. I wanted to become a juvenile probation officer, but as of right now I am still in security.

With 3 degrees in Criminal Justice, what led you to earn your Doctor of Education?

5 years ago, I realized I wanted to go back to school. Many people post their goals for life on the fridge or on the wall, but I carry my list of long-term and short-term goals in my wallet. I check them off as I complete them and update them every few years. One of my goals was to go back to school and earn my associate degree. As I started earning my associate degree, I said to myself that I鈥檓 also going to earn my bachelor鈥檚 degree, master鈥檚 degree, and earn a doctorate degree.

What is your 5-year plan?

I want to own my own business. I never dreamed of working for anyone, and any job I鈥檝e had so far has been viewed as a steppingstone. I currently have a non-profit business that is a youth development program for at-risk youth. We bring in community leaders, college students or alumni, and different professionals to speak to the youth about their experiences.

I encourage the youth in my program to enter a trade or go to college. One of the kids I worked with said to me, 鈥淲hy are you telling us to go to school when you dropped out of college?鈥� That struck a nerve with me, and I realized I need to lead by example for both my mentees and my daughters.

How did you feel about online classes?

After experiencing online learning, I regret that I did not do it earlier. After starting a family, online is much better for me. People don鈥檛 believe me, but I completed most of my schoolwork on my cell phone. There were times when I didn鈥檛 have access to a laptop, so I did about 85% of my work on my cell phone, even using APA format. If I couldn鈥檛 do it on my phone, I went to the library.

Were you able to connect with your classmates and the faculty members?

As we moved into group projects, I was able to meet my classmates. Also, as I got further along with my degrees, I needed to reach out to my professors more. I worked nights as a security guard so I would email my professors at odd times and they worked with me.

Is there a specific memory you have about your time at 51茶馆app?

My final semester, we had a group project. Before then, I didn鈥檛 have any group projects and was able to do my work on my own terms. That experience was challenging as I hadn鈥檛 worked with a team for many years. However, we got an 鈥淎鈥� on the project and met over conference calls to do our parts and work together. It made me more open-minded.

Would you recommend 51茶馆app to others?

I love the fact that 51茶馆app accepted all my previous credits. Although I never made strong connections with my classmates until the group project, I got along with most of my professors. I think 51茶馆app should do more group projects because I am now connected with those classmates and we text and stay up-to-date with each other.

Watch Damon鈥檚 full alumni spotlight interview below!

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