Not only does Sheriff Jeff Curry have a role in the community; he also decided to enroll as a full time college student.
Curry will be completing his undergraduate degree in business administration.
Coming back to school was an easy decision for Curry.
“I think that with this degree, it will improve my abilities in my current job,” Curry said. “I’m at the pinnacle of my career; if I ever decide to seek other job opportunities, having a college education will help.”
It is a challenge for Curry to have such an important job and as well as school on his plate right now.
“I have a lot of time constraints so making a schedule and sticking to it is key,” he said.
When it comes down to it, Curry would not be able to do this without his staff.
“I have a very competent staff,” Curry said. “There is no way I could do this if I didn’t have the staff that I have.”
Jerrod Fredricks currently works at the Sheriff’s Department as the Public Information Officer. Fredricks, who was also a non-traditional student at Ottawa University in 2002, thinks it is good that Curry decided to go back to school.
“I try to do my job as much as possible without any supervision to help him out,” Fredricks said. “We communicate a lot more over email than in person, but I understand how busy he is.”
Fredricks said going back to school at a later age has made him appreciate it more.
“I think I am probably a better student at this juncture of my life,” Curry said. “I know what I want to get out of going back to college. I am more focused on my goals now than I was when I was fresh out of high school.”
“It takes a lot of courage to come back to school when you have a family and career responsibility,” Director of the Adawe Center Teresa Kriley said.
“Sometimes being a nontraditional student requires a different kind of support because they have a different situation,” Kriley said. “I have a lot of respect for people who come back to school later in life.”
Being a nontraditional student does not mean that they are treated different in the Adawe Center.
“It is not different than any other student,” Kriley said. “We have to work with them and help fulfill their needs just like any regular student.”
Curry makes sure school and work do not cut into family time with his daughters.
“No matter how busy you are, you make the time for your family,” Curry said. “Family is everything.”
Curry’s advice for anyone who decides to go back to school is to have a plan.
“You have to know what your goals are and what you plan to achieve,” Curry said. “Coming back to school has caused me to be more proficient.”