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.