Student Spotlight

Christopher Reed

Allenhurst, GA

Inspired to Advance, Empowered to Lead

College is not just about earning a degree for Christopher Reed (BSCJ expected '25) – it’s about building his leadership skills and advancing his law enforcement career.

Christopher's decision to pursue higher education was inspired by a testimonial from a trusted work colleague. His coworker, Scott Heck, shared his experience of applying to go back to school with the University of Management and Technology (UMT), and Christopher saw an opportunity to follow in his footsteps. "Scott's recommendation of UMT led me to apply for my bachelor's degree, and now I plan to continue on to a master's as well," he shared.

After researching UMT's educational programs, Christopher quickly realized the school was a perfect fit. The online format allowed him to balance school with his professional responsibilities, and the application process was seamless. "The way everything was organized online made time management easy. The admissions counselor I worked with was great, making everything smooth and stress-free. Choosing UMT was a no-brainer," he said.

Christopher described some major aspects he appreciated about his UMT experience. He loved the structure and flexibility of the courses. The 11-week terms provided the right amount of time to complete coursework without feeling rushed, and the flexibility of the program meant he could complete his assignments on his own schedule. He also loved talking with his fellow students through the discussion boards and building connections with his peers.

A particular memorable moment from his studies was a public speaking assignment that gave him some new insights into his profession. "Learning public speaking techniques really changed the way I approach my job. It was one of my favorite assignments," he recalled.

Now, as Christopher nears the completion of his bachelor's degree, he looks forward to taking the next step in his educational and professional journey. Even as a law enforcement chief, he recognizes the amount of value he can derive from continuous education to further enhance his leadership capabilities and to increase career potential. "This degree will have a huge impact on my career," he described. "It makes me better skilled and prepared for any law enforcement leadership roles that come down in the future."

"UMT made going back to school an easy decision. The flexibility, support, and structured courses allowed me to balance my education with my career. Earning my degree will open doors to leadership opportunities and help me achieve my goal of becoming a chief of police."


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