Erin Sweeney is a senior on track to graduate in the spring of 2015 with a degree in criminal justice and a minor in psychology. Originally unsure of where she wanted to go for her degree, Erin chose The University of Olivet after attending a campus visit during spring break of her senior year in high school.
“When I came to campus, it actually felt like home. The admissions reps explained how the professors really get to know you through a one-on-one interaction. I really liked that.”
Working Closely With Professors
Currently, Erin is interested in pursuing criminology and intelligence work, and this interest is what lead her to minor in psychology. She’s interested in understanding the minds of criminals, and why they do what they do. “I was drawn to the psychological part of criminal justice. My dream job would be to work for federal government, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, or Homeland Security. But I’m also open to the fact that I might find a job at a local or county level and absolutely love it.”
Erin credits part of her success to her professors, including Phil Reed and Regina Armstrong. “All of my professors have been more than willing to help me with whatever I need. It’s nice knowing that I’m not just another college student. They actually know me here.”
Phil Reed is Erin’s advisor and helped her narrow down her major and plan her future, “He’s always been there for me. I would go to him for pretty much anything. He was the first professor I talked to about grad schools and he helped me figure out which ones were the best. He told me “A, B, and C” these look the best, these are the ones I have heard the best things about, here you go.”
Phil Reed had equally nice things to say about Erin, “Erin is a straight A student. She’s been a role model for everyone in the criminal justice program. She’s just a great kid and a hard worker. She’s a very talented person.”
Classes That Bring Books to Life
Throughout all of her classes in the criminal justice program, Erin said that the criminology class with Regina Armstrong was her favorite because of her ability to “make the book come to life.” This helped Erin apply what the book was saying to everyday situations and made the class fun.
“Erin is the top student in the criminal justice program,” Armstrong said. “She is one of the best students I have had the pleasure of interacting with. Her interpersonal communication skills are outstanding and she is always willing to help others inside and outside of the classroom. She exemplifies the The University of Olivet Compact in her actions each and every day.”
A Bright Future
When Erin first came to The University of Olivet, she wanted to be a detective. It was only after building a relationship with her professors that she learned criminology was a better fit for her, and it was her professors who encouraged her to further her education. Although a senior now, Erin said it took her until the end of her junior year to truly figure out what she wanted to do. “Phil helped me hone in on the right path and encouraged me to further my education.”
In the fall of 2015, Erin will begin working towards her master’s degree at the University of Detroit Mercy in the intelligence analysis program.