Kender DesRosiers '14, '21G
Major: Criminal justice/criminology concentration
Hometown: Danvers, MA
What attracted you to Salem State's criminal justice program?
I work in the criminal justice field and wanted to find a graduate program that could help further my goals of excelling in my career. This program offers the schedule flexibility, and ease of commute that I needed since I work full-time and have a family. As a US military veteran, Salem State is also military friendly.
Where did you earn your bachelor's degree and what did you study?
I earned my bachelor's degree from Salem State University in the spring of 2014. I studied criminal justice here with a concentration in administration. I returned to Salem State for my graduate studies, again in criminal justice with a criminology concentration because I have found the tools (practical curriculum, convenience, faculty support, diversity) I need to help me succeed.
What are the student-faculty relationships like?
Student-faculty relationships are exceptional. As an evening student (as I have always been), faculty understood that I hold full-time employment and have a family to care for. They have always supported me in carrying the load of life and school combined.
Describe the nature of the conversation in your classes?
The conversations in my classes have always been dynamic, engaging, fruitful, and often challenging. Students have expressed anticipation of taking courses together again a number of times. It is a spirit of diverse perspectives that complement us to one another.
Do you feel you can balance graduate school while managing your professional, personal responsibilities, and commitments?
It is absolutely a challenge, but I have found the balance to manage school with my professional, personal responsibilities, and commitments by relying heavily on my family support structure. I set up a study and research schedule of 3 hours a day, 6 days a week, in the evenings, and I also take advantage of any opportunity to stay ahead of my school work schedule.
Why is continuing your education important to you?
Continuing my education is important because it will enable me to become a much improved public servant. It will open the avenues to exceed my understanding of those I serve and influence social practices to change my community for the better.
Tell us about your current career. Are you able to apply what you learn in the classroom at work?
As a court officer with the Massachusetts Trial Court, I can apply my classroom knowledge in finding a better way to interface with management. Classroom knowledge of the federal and state criminal justice system also helps me serve court users daily professionally.
What do you hope to do with your degree upon graduating?
Upon graduating, I hope to rise to the managerial level of the criminal justice agency that I currently work for. I further want to be able to influence my community in finding answers to our systemic division. This is the core of our issues since we all belong together, and we have to coexist.
I want to use my degree to get others involved in earning an advanced education in the system, which shall lead to the enacting of durable, inclusive, and effective policies to serve us collectively. We can never afford to forget that the greatest good is the good for all.