Wilkes Community College graduate Amanda Sutphin got a head start on her criminal justice career through the Cooperative Education program. A 2013 Criminal Justice graduate, Amanda was recognized for program excellence during the 2013 Student Awards Ceremony. Soon after, the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Department offered her a job as an administrative technician. Amanda completed a co-op work experience with the sheriff’s department under the guidance of supervisors Major David Carson and Lt. Jason Whitley.
“By participating in this partnership program between the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Department and Wilkes Community College, I was able to decide my future plans, which includes continuing my education in the BLET program,” explains Sutphin. “That will allow me to begin working toward my goal of becoming an investigator with the Wilkes sheriff’s office. To me the co-op experience was priceless.”
“Amanda excelled in her position in the Cooperative Education program,” says Lt. Jason Whitley, who is Sutphin’s supervisor. “She is hard working, conscientious, efficient and eager to learn. The co-op illuminated Amanda’s values as a potential employee, and she quickly established a positive reputation at the sheriff’s office.”
“Co-op works because everyone – employers, students and the college – wins,” says Beth Foster, director of Cooperative Education.