Growing up, I never believed that watching Criminal Minds or C.S.I. with my mom would spark a deep interest in the criminal justice system. Looking back now, I can see just how impactful those shows were in helping me decide what I would do for a career one day. They opened my eyes to the complexities of law enforcement, investigative work, and the pursuit of justice. Since then, I have been able to obtain my Associate's in Criminal Justice from Cumberland University and plan on furthering my education by graduating in 2026 with my Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice. With the support of this scholarship, I hope to continue pursuing my passion and contribute meaningfully to the field When I first enrolled in college, I was unsure of what I wanted my future to look like, uncertain about which path to take, or how my passions would translate into a meaningful and fulfilling career. I was torn between a career in Psychology and studying the brain, as well as wanting to study Criminal Justice. I initially pursued a Psychology degree since I had already begun my requirements for it; however, that all changed after my first semester. When I was told I needed to take an elective course and of course I chose to take Intro to Criminal Justice. My professor was the Deputy Chief of one of our local police departments and helped me nail down my passion for Criminal Justice. He brought in several people to speak about their role in law enforcement, and I knew that one day, one of those people was going to be me. A woman came in who was an Investigative Analyst for his police department and discussed how this role is expanding and evolving due to the increase in technology used in crimes. Everything she said just resonated with me, and I could not stop telling all my friends and family about this career. She discussed a specific example of when her work led to them finding a wanted criminal, as well as how she got to the position she is in today. That is how I knew I wanted to change my major and begin studying Criminal Justice--because I realized that my true interests lay in understanding the legal system, helping others, and working toward a career where I could make a meaningful impact in my community. Since then, I have been able to graduate in early May of 2025 with my Associate of the Arts in Criminal Justice and am one semester into my Bachelor's in Criminal Justice. I have also been on the Dean’s List two out of the four semesters I have been at Cumberland University. In the Spring of 2024, I was inducted into the Gamma Beta Phi National Honors Society, which is for students who are recognized for public outreach and academic achievement. Cumberland University has brought me many great opportunities, like Coffee with Cumberland, that allow us students to connect with local law enforcement agencies. Some of these include the Mt. Juliet Police Department, the Lebanon Police Department, the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office, the Tennessee Highway Patrol, and the Metro-Nashville Police Department. This has given me the chance to meet and build relationships with these agencies, ultimately preparing me for a career with one of these departments one day. This summer, I was given the opportunity to intern at the Wilson County Mayor’s office, which is my local county mayor. Being able to work in a professional, positive environment has taught me so much about the government side of law enforcement and gives me a new perspective on county government. I have learned how to edit and navigate the backend of a website, create announcements for our community, and network with individuals in the careers around me. I do not take this opportunity lightly and have been forever grateful for getting this experience for my future career. My goal next summer is to intern with the Mt. Juliet Police Department and plant a seed for myself there. This would allow me to work with a local agency and see the behind-the-scenes of how they are helping my community. With this scholarship, I will be able to take the financial burden off of my grandparents, who are currently paying for my college education. I am the last grandchild that they have had to pay for, and I am willing to do anything to make my education the most affordable one if possible. Their support has meant the world to me, and I am determined to turn their investment into a meaningful and impactful career. For my Associates degree I was able obtain Tennessee Promise, which provided me with the incredible opportunity to complete my first five semesters of college tuition-free, alleviating a significant financial burden and allowing me to focus more on my studies and future career goals. Now, I am working towards my Bachelors and hope to graduate with it in December of 2026, which would be a semester earlier than previously planned. This scholarship gives me the opportunity to fulfill my dreams that my younger self always knew would come true. Ultimately, I plan to work for a local law enforcement agency or even the TBI. With this degree, my ultimate goal is to bring justice to those who can’t fight for themselves. The victims are often overlooked, and ultimately I want to make sure that they are fought for and know that there is someone out there who cares about them. I have high hopes and expectations for myself, and I know that I am capable of achieving them with dedication, perseverance, and the support of those who believe in me. This scholarship is more than a financial resource—it is an opportunity to move one step closer to my dream of serving and protecting others through the criminal justice system. With your support, I can continue to work hard, stay focused, and become the kind of professional who makes a real impact in people’s lives.