For Immediate Release
Contact: Daniel Wackershauser, Marketing and PR Specialist
Phone: 608.822.2303
Mail: 1800 Bronson Blvd., Fennimore, WI 53809
Date of Release: August 26, 2024
Enhanced mentorship program set up for Criminal Justice students
Fennimore -
Students in the Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement program at Southwest Wisconsin Technical College have a unique opportunity again this year. The students are being set up with robust mentorship opportunities with sheriff’s offices in the college’s five-county district. The program will include 72 hours of field experience at the sheriff’s offices. Those hours will be spent job shadowing in the jail, investigations, patrol, dispatch, and other opportunities.
The students, all second-year Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement students, will be required to fulfill the 72 hours throughout the fall semester. “I think it’s a really great idea to have a mentorship program,” said Lily Conley, a Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement student from Fennimore. “You job shadow in every position that they have available, so you get a full experience. We don’t have a whole lot of experience when applying for jobs and this will be really nice thing to have.”
Conley is mentoring with the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office. She began Aug. 23. Her experience will include job shadowing in the jail, dispatch, and on patrol. “We also do the community events, like ‘Shop with a Cop,” she said.
According to Gary Roberts, criminal justice instructor at Southwest Tech, the students had to approach the sheriff’s offices on their own and go through a competitive process. “We don’t want to leave anyone out,” he said. “We want to have a home for everyone.”
Micheal Mundt, from Viola, Wisconsin, will be mentored by individuals at the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office. “I am actually super excited for this,” he said. “I don’t have family members in law enforcement, so I didn’t get much experience with what the job is about. With this mentorship program, I’ll be able to witness the work, first-hand.”
“I’ve always had a passion for criminal justice,” added Mundt. “I want to give back to the public.”
Kamryn Weber, from Cassville, Wisconsin, was initially drawn to Southwest Tech for the jail academy. She has since been hired at the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, working in the jail. She will be doing her mentorship with that office, as well. “Hopefully, I will learn a lot more about the job on the road,” she said.
Weber hopes to become a K9 officer at some point in her career. “There are a lot of paths you can go,” she said. “You just have to be given the opportunity.”
Annabelle Chally, from Richland Center, Wisconsin, has always been interested in the law enforcement field. “I talked to quite a few officers while I was going through middle school and high school,” she said.
In 2018, Chally was hired by the Wisconsin State Fair Park Police Department in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as part of its mounted police unit. She recently worked her 6th Wisconsin State Fair.
Chally will be mentoring at the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, where she currently works as a jailer and dispatcher. She is looking forward to the time on patrol. “That is tailored more to what I hope to do someday; to go out on the road for Richland County,” she said. “It’ll be a great opportunity with this mentorship to go out with the deputies and see what they’re doing.”
At the completion of the mentorship program, Roberts is hopeful the relationship between the students and the sheriff’s offices will continue. “We hope that it’s going to translate into at least part-time employment, if not full-time employment,” he said.
There are 16 students taking advantage of the opportunity this semester. Last year, led by the efforts of Tom Kretschman, criminal justice instructor at Southwest Tech, three students participated in the pilot program with the Iowa County Sheriff’s Office. Those students completed the program, and also graduated from the Law Enforcement Academy on campus. “I really think it was another step for them to bolster their employability and prepare them,” said Roberts.
Agencies are short staffed and are still willing to assist. It’s an investment in their staffing needs, as well, according to Roberts. “Employment shortages aren’t something that’s going away, and our area agencies are aware of that,” he said. “We’ve got to be more proactive as well. This is a great avenue to explore.”
“This the time where the sky’s the limit, as far as job opportunities,” added Roberts. “With that, they have the right opportunity to find the right place.”
As for the future of the program, Roberts envisions other agencies getting involved, as well. “We want this to be accessible to every agency and every employer,” he said.
| Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, is one of 16 institutions that comprise the Wisconsin Technical College System. The college was recently named a top 10 finalist for the Aspen Prize. Southwest Tech offers more than 60 programs in a wide variety of disciplines. Courses are offered on campus, online, HyFlex and in a blended format. The college provides apprenticeship, certificate, technical diploma, and associate degree programs that respond to district workforce needs and prepare student for family-sustaining jobs and career advancement. |