Campus scholarship program has helped nearly 30 police officers further their education

In the photo above, (from left) Kevin Early, associate professor of sociology and director of UM-Dearborn's Criminal Justice Studies Program; alumnus and Dearborn Heights Mayor Daniel Paletko; Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Catherine Davy; and CASL Dean Jerold Hale meet to sign a formal agreement welcoming the Dearborn Heights Police Department into the campus's Community Service Personnel Scholarship Program.

Nearly 30 local police officers are furthering their education at a reduced cost thanks to a community service personnel scholarship program at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.

Since Fall 2009, the University has formed partnerships with eight police departments: Allen Park, Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Detroit, Novi, Southfield, Taylor and the Wayne County Sheriff's Office.

These partnerships allow officers pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees at UM-Dearborn the opportunity to receive a special scholarship which provides a credit for 20 percent of their tuition costs and fees each semester.

Prospective students may be admitted to any undergraduate or graduate program the university offers as long as the program's admission and eligibility criteria are met. UM-Dearborn's 20 percent tuition credit works in conjunction with any tuition reimbursement program offer by the police departments.

The city of Dearborn Heights is the newest municipality to join the program. The city's mayor, Daniel Paletko, a 1973 College of Business alumnus, visited campus last month to participate in a signing ceremony for the partnership.

"We are pleased to join the University of Michigan-Dearborn in this partnership" Paletko said. "The University has a long-standing history of educational excellence - we are confident this will prove to be a great benefit to the city, eligible members of our police department and the University."

"This is a historic event for the University of Michigan-Dearborn and the city of Dearborn Heights," said Kevin Early, associate professor of sociology and director of the Criminal Justice Studies Program at UM-Dearborn.  "This partnership will strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the academic community.  We look forward to working closely with the city of Dearborn Heights."

Paletko's officers will join the 27 others who have already received scholarships as part of the program. Collectively, these students have received more than $32,000 from UM-Dearborn for their undergraduate and graduate studies on campus.

Partnerships with additional city police departments are in the works, according to Susan Cushnier, who helps manage the program at UM-Dearborn.