Scholarship enables criminal justice major to prepare for career in cybersecurity or intelligence
Edison, New Jersey, is a bit far from Ada, Ohio, but Rachel Woran “wanted to go away from home so I could meet new people and discover new places. I appreciated the small classes so I could make close connections with my peers and professors.”
Rachel also is grateful to have received the Charles B. and Mary Jo Hedrick Scholarship, established to assist academically worthy students with financial need. Dr. Hedrick served the university for years as a trustee, was elected life trustee and received an honorary doctor of business administration degree in 1980. Mrs. Hedrick (Mary Jo) actively served ONU, as well.
Rachel majors in criminal justice and has minors in computer science and data analytics. She is involved with the Asian American Student Union (AASU), Japanese Student Organization and Religious Life. Of these, the AASU has been especially enjoyable, she says, because “I was able to find so many people and become friends with them. I also enjoy doing Asian activities and sharing my culture with people who are curious.”
As an intern with the Hancock County Adult Probation and the Courthouse in Findlay over the summer, Rachel was able to apply what she learned in her criminal justice classes to real life.
“I assisted probation officers with writing summaries of police reports, bench warrants, terminations and more,” she says. “I even had the chance to assist one of the judges and other workers at the courthouse.”
Being involved with ONU’s criminal justice research lab gave Rachel the opportunity to look through data relating to criminal justice. “I believe this opportunity perfectly connected my major and minors and gave me an insight into the criminal justice system.”
Following graduation, she hopes to work in one of the U.S. government intelligence agencies or the cybersecurity field.
“I was inspired by 9/11 and all the people working in law enforcement because of how they risk their lives to save others,” Rachel explains. “I have always wanted to be in a field that dealt with protecting other people. It is reassuring to have someone who could protect you from trouble, and I want to be that someone.”
Thanking donors of the scholarship is especially important to Rachel.
“As a first-generation college student, I am so grateful. Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity. With your generous donation, I have been able to afford an education. I appreciate all the help and am excited to work in the intelligence or cybersecurity field one day.”