Travis Shockley
Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement Option
Travis Shockley, a corporal in the Millsboro Police Department who serves as a school resource officer, knew he wanted to work in law enforcement, and he knew that Delaware Tech was a great place to get the education he needed to launch his career.
"I had a desire to serve my community and help keep my community safe," said Shockley. "To me, there is no greater satisfaction than being able to help someone in need, and as a police officer, you get those opportunities every single day."
Shockley enrolled at Delaware Tech upon his graduation from Sussex Technical High School, basing his decision upon several important factors.
"I decided to attend Delaware Tech because it was local and for the financial benefits it has to offer, and because I knew that all of the instructors for the criminal justice program were either active or retired law enforcement, so they had a direct connection to the career field I wanted to enter," he said. "It was great hearing their experiences.
"Delaware Tech was like a family to me. All the instructors were compassionate, caring, and knowledgeable, and they truly took an interest in my career goals."
Shockley, who used the SEED scholarship to attend Delaware Tech tuition free, went to school full time and also worked as a part-time seasonal police officer for the Bethany Beach Police Department.
"When I graduated with my associate degree in criminal justice, I felt extremely prepared and confident entering the workforce," he said. "Delaware Tech's criminal justice program emphasizes teamwork, communication, and professionalism, and those are skills that are needed to be an effective police officer."
After earning his degree at Delaware Tech, Shockley continued his education by using the College's Connected Degree program to transfer to Wilmington University. He graduated from WilmU with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and was hired by Millsboro Police Department where he spent four years as a patrol officer before moving into his current job as a school resource officer.
"If you have an interest in law enforcement, start at Delaware Tech," Shockley said. "It's what's directly led to my success as a police officer."
