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recognizes the importance of having the “doers” leading classes. “The biggest thing is enlightenment,” Schak relayed about their applied learning courses. “Really, what we want students to do is to bring their stuff in that enhances the entire program. There are times that you go completely off what your lesson is,
because you get so much information from the group.”
In agreement with Schak is Thomas Brady, the associate dean of the Public Service and Homeland Training Institute at College of DuPage. As a 26-year law enforcement veteran who served as deputy chief inspector with the U.S. Postal Service, he cele-
brates hands-on learning and what it brings to the classroom. “Police officers are working in an environment where they’re learning every day anyway,” Brady added. “If they take what they’ve acquired on the street and go into a classroom, they can take the experience they’ve done in the field and apply it to the-
ories from the classroom.”
And being able to fit that stellar education into the policing
lifestyle is imperative, which is why schools like Loyola Univer- sity Chicago, among many others, offer convenient distance learning through online courses.
Jona Goldschmidt, the undergraduate program and intern- ship director at Loyola, believes that with online learning it’s never too late to gain additional education in law enforcement studies.
“The advantages are tremendous, because officers don’t have to come to a regular classroom, but they can still interact with students,” he posited. “These are highly applied and useful for officers in their everyday work, and offer accessibility.”
So when the urge for knowledge strikes, the way it struck Mc-
Guire during his career, both applied curriculums and distance learning offer unique opportunities for students to catapult themselves into continued education.
“You just get a different perspective,” McGuire relayed. “If I can do it, you can certainly do it.”
The time is now
Markovic remembers the trepidation that came with going back to school for her master’s degree after working for two and a half years, and then working for four years before pursuing her doctorate. Any break of time provokes that lingering fear, Can I actually do this?
Yes, you absolutely can.
“Taking time off makes you nervous,” Markovic empathized. “I think doing things like that can be intimidating, but you know, preparing for your future is worth the concern. Now is the time.”
And when officers process down the aisle in freshly pressed graduation gowns with tassels swinging enthusiastically to that triumphant pulse, it becomes abundantly clear that their hard work was worth the strife.
“Having families and a full-time job, it seems absolutely in- sane, but your professors and staff know your exact situation,” Cruz reassured. “They’re all compassionate toward issues and can offer real-world advice to push you over the finish line.”
Once students move that tassel from the right side of their cap to the left, there’s no going back. After all, they’re marching forward, toward Cruz who embraces each graduate with a final affirmation:
You’ve done it. You made it.
CHICAGO LODGE 7 ■ MAY 2020 49
2020 EDUCATION GUIDE:
Advancing your career
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