When students share that they have chosen to study criminal justice, most people envision police, canine officers, and vehicles with flashing blue and red lights. This is the image of law enforcement, one of the field’s most visible careers. But policing is not the only pathway available to criminal justice professionals, and many wield influence in alternative jobs. Criminal justice alumni of Pensacola Christian College have exciting opportunities to shape their communities in diverse fields including politics, Child Protective Services, and physical fitness.
Criminal Justice Opens Opportunities
The criminal justice program prepares students for the workforce while providing a biblical academic foundation. The goal is to enable students to become fully realized Christian professionals that support their communities. “The presentation, application, and reinforcement of the biblical worldview sets PCC’s criminal justice program apart,” said chair of humanities, Dr. Marie Thompson.
“The critical thinking and practical skills emphasized in the criminal justice program help students to pursue careers in fields besides law enforcement.”
Since the program has a liberal arts basis that is supplemented by practical coursework, graduates can apply their education to many jobs. “The critical thinking and practical skills emphasized in the criminal justice program help students to pursue careers in fields besides law enforcement such as social work, probation and parole, and management positions both in the field and in other areas,” Dr. Thompson shared.
Alumni Exercise Christian Influence
Alumni in alternative careers have notable opportunities to make a difference for Christ across the U.S. Since graduating, Luke Ball (Criminal Justice ’18) has built a career in Washington, D.C. He is the president and CEO of the communications company Compass Strategies, INC., which provides public relations services to political candidates, nonprofits, members of Congress, and Christian organizations, including churches. “Daily, I work to generate positive press coverage for clients on television, radio, podcast, or print media,” Luke shared. “The most prevalent political and policy debates in the nation today center on criminal justice, law enforcement, and crime,” he explained. “I daily draw upon skills learned in PCC’s speech [and] communications classes to frame policy positions in a way that’s comprehensible to a mass audience.”
Luke has found his education in criminal justice to be a great asset. “The major allowed me to learn the fundamentals of law, the judicial system, law enforcement, and more,” Luke shared. “I chose PCC because I knew that the practical career training I received would be built on the bedrock of biblical values,” he added.
In Nevada, Justin Ancell (Criminal Justice ’07) works at Clark County Family Services as a family services specialist. This role allows him to assist children from insecure homes. “In most of the cases I investigate, I meet with families who are struggling with resources, addiction, or a variety of difficulties,” Justin shared. “The main function of my job is to assess child safety, but often, I’m able to provide a struggling family with help, resources, and encouragement to get through a difficult season.”
“I wanted to prepare myself spiritually to serve and knew that PCC was the best place for me to get a solid biblical foundation for my future.”
Justin knew from a young age that he wanted to be a positive influence in his home state of Nevada. When he considered where to go to college, he chose to attend PCC for its Christian education. As he helps children and families daily, Justin has found that he continues to benefit from the practical skills and biblical worldview instilled in him at PCC. “I wanted to prepare myself spiritually to serve and knew that PCC was the best place for me to get a solid biblical foundation for my future,” Justin said. “‘God, family, profession. In that order’ were the constant words of faculty during my time at PCC—those words have been a foundation to serve in many unique ‘mission fields.’”
While alumni touch lives in far parts of the United States, Kristina Gaudagnoli (Criminal Justice ’13) has settled in Pensacola where she works as the owner and adaptive fitness specialist of Special Strong Emerald Coast, a franchise she purchased with her husband Dominic. Before embarking on this endeavor, Kristina worked at State Felony Probation and Parole in Pensacola, FL. Probations required Kristina to maintain a high level of physical fitness, and she has translated her experience into empowering others in their own health journeys. Looking back at her college career, Kristina shared that her criminal justice coursework built her up with its high emphasis on leadership and responsibility, giving her the direction to excel both in probations and as a business owner. “PCC’s program taught me when to lead with empathy and when to stand firm with accountability, lessons that continue to guide me daily in my work and personal life,“ Kristina shared.
Kristina believes her calling as a Christian fitness professional aligns with Christ’s mission to bring “abundant life.“ At Special Strong, she provides exercise instruction that accommodates those with special needs. “We use adaptive fitness—specific exercises and movements that target the brain to help create new neural pathways,“ Kristina shared. “We work with children, adolescents, and adults with physical, mental, and cognitive challenges.“
Kristina’s favorite part of her career is giving others a better quality of life by helping them gain strength and endurance to perform basic tasks. This purpose inspires her daily as she coaches, mentors, and advocates for her clients. “When we can help an individual build independence in their Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), we also give their families more freedom and peace. We truly help create more abundant lives—John 10:10,“ Kristina shared.
These and many other alumni have incredible opportunities to touch their communities and improve lives through alternative careers in criminal justice. At PCC, students benefit from the program’s scope and prepare for a range of diverse jobs. When they receive their diplomas, they can step into their callings and excel as Christian leaders in countless capacities. “A career in criminal justice gives graduates unique opportunities to share the message of hope found only in the gospel,“ Dr. Thompson shared. “Alumni who put their faith first are sure to find many ways to be a Christian witness as they serve the Lord in the various fields of criminal justice.“