Jose Soto Leyva (MSCJ ’25)

Jose Soto Leyva

MSCJ ‘25

Corona, CA

Balancing Duty, Family, and Education

Thanks to the University of Management and Technology (UMT), Jose Soto Leyva (MSCJ ’25) was able to create new possibilities while balancing the responsibilities of career, family, and service. While working as a full-time police officer, dedicating his career to protecting and serving his community, he knew that further education would help him pursue his goal of becoming a professor in the criminal justice field. 

Jose found UMT through a professional work organization, which referred him to the university as part of its education partnership. The connection immediately stood out as a practical path forward. “I was looking for a way to continue my education while working full time,” he explained. “When I learned about UMT, it felt like an opportunity that fit my situation.” 

As he explored the program further, Jose loved the support he received during the admissions process. The responsiveness and personal attention made a strong impression. “The admissions counselor I spoke with was very nice and helpful,” he recalled. “Every question I had was answered quickly, and the experience felt more personal than what I had seen at other colleges.” 

Once enrolled, one of the most meaningful aspects of Jose’s experience was the support he received from his professors. “My professors always responded to questions within 24 hours,” he said. “They were very fair when grading, too. If I was close on an answer, they would explain the correction and sometimes give partial credit, which helped me learn from my mistakes.” 

Jose also valued the thoughtful design of UMT’s online student portal. Even small details reinforced his confidence in the program. “The two-step authorization when logging in made me feel like my account and work were protected.” 

Balancing coursework with the demands of his everyday life required careful time management. As a full-time police officer, husband, and father, Jose’s schedule was already full. Yet the flexibility of UMT’s self-paced structure made it possible to continue moving forward. “Managing time for my studies was definitely hard at times,” he shared. “But being able to work at my own pace made a big difference. I wasn’t restricted by harsh deadlines, and that helped me stay on track.” 

Although he hasn’t yet seen a direct career change since completing his degree, Jose views his education as a foundation for the next chapter of his professional journey. Inspired by his experiences in the field, he hopes to transition into teaching and share his knowledge with future professionals in criminal justice. “I recently applied to become a professor,” he said. “I hope my degree will help me reach that goal so I can teach and give back to the field.” 

Jose feels grateful for the opportunity to pursue higher education while managing the many roles in his life. For him, the experience represents both personal growth and the possibility of new directions ahead. His story proves that with the right support and flexibility, education can fit into even the busiest of lives.  

“Thank you to UMT for providing opportunities for people like me to have easy access to education.”