Eastern Michigan University equips students with resources to succeed in today’s workforce

One of the speakers at the speaking engagement at Detroit Public Safety Academy (DPSA) hosted by EMU.
Panelists from left to right: Gerri Alston-Meggett, Chief Information Officer for the United States Secret Service; Faron K. Paramore, Deputy Director of the U.S. Secret Service; Karinda L. Washington, Executive Director of Social Impact and Campaigns, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Sam Estes; Todd Bettison, Deputy Mayor of the City of Detroit; and Cody Lown, School Leader, Detroit Public Safety Academy.

YPSILANTI – To inspire and prepare students for careers as first responders and leaders in public safety, Eastern Michigan University hosted an exclusive speaking engagement at Detroit Public Safety Academy (DPSA). The event, which had more than 140 students in attendance,  featured U.S. Secret Service Deputy Director Faron K. Paramore, United States Department of Homeland Security Executive Director for Social Impact and Campaigns Karinda L. Washington, EMU President James Smith, Detroit Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison, and other Homeland Security officials.

DPSA, one of 11 charter schools Eastern oversees, teaches students about careers in law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services, among others. Jolia Hill, director of the charter schools program at Eastern, said this opportunity provided an innovative learning experience for students. 

“Opportunities like this, in which students get to see who they could be after leaving our charter schools, make me smile,” said Hill. “The charter schools office aims to match schools with resources at Eastern that create opportunities for students to be successful. I hope students gain an understanding of a career path in the Secret Service or Homeland Security from this experience.” 

Students had the opportunity to ask questions and gain insight into careers in law enforcement and cyber security. The panel also shared expert advice about planning for the future and what it takes to succeed in these careers.

About the featured speakers:

A 33-year veteran of the U.S. Secret Service, Paramore began his career in 1989 as a special agent assigned to the Detroit Field Office. Since then, he has held various leadership positions in public service. 

Washington is an EMU alumna. As executive director, she leads the Department of Homeland Security’s Social Impact office and has led two national campaigns—“If You See Something, Say Something®” and the Blue Campaign to raise awareness of terrorism-related suspicious activity and how to combat human trafficking, respectively. The Office for Social Impact leads experiential learning opportunities and works with youth-serving organizations and others to ensure DHS resources are shared with underserved and underrepresented communities.
 

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.

 

March 08, 2023

Written by:
Melissa Thrasher

Media Contact:
Melissa Thrasher
mthrashe@emich.edu
734-487-4401