Southeast Technical criminal justice student Beckie Taylor awarded international public safety scholarship 

Minnesota State College - Southeast Technical is proud to announce that criminal justice student Beckie Taylor has been awarded the Richard L. Resurreccion Public Safety Scholarship, one of two $1000 scholarships given by the International Public Safety Leadership and Ethics Institute in cooperation with the Phi Theta Kappa Foundation.

Beckie Taylor, an enrolled member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Tribe, now lives on the Prairie Island Indian Community reservation with her husband and sons. Instructor Greg Cady says, "Not only is she active within her Native American community, she’s a leader at Southeast Technical. Her work ethic and dynamic personality is contagious, creating a positive culture in the classroom and on campus."

Describing herself as someone who has succeeded despite obstacles such as drug and alcohol abuse, poverty, and racial profiling, Beckie says she was overwhelmed when she received a phone call from Dr. Resurreccion himself notifying her of the award. "He personally called me from California to tell me about the scholarship. To me it was like a culmination of everything that I had worked for and everything I've overcome."

Beckie is now finishing transfer classes at Southeast Technical and plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in drug and alcohol counseling next fall. "I already have colleges competing for me, so I will wait and see which offers the best scholarship package. I want to help my community and those who are still suffering from drug and alcohol abuse. And I want to have a meaningful job, one that can give a real income and provide good health benefits for my family," she says.

Southeast Technical's Associate in Science Degree program in Criminal Justice is a comprehensive program designed to cover the fundamental preparation and coursework needed for a rewarding career in law enforcement and related social services. Prospective students are invited to sit in on an introductory criminal justice class with the permission of the instructor. For more information, contact Greg Cady, [email protected] and/or 651-385-6411.