The Spring 2022 semester is going to be full of big things for criminal justice student Logan Paine. In addition to completing the final classes required for her degree, preparing for civil service exams, and beginning her job hunt, she has the added blessing of expecting a baby boy in the last few weeks of the semester. 

While most students would find this combination of responsibilities incredibly overwhelming, Paine is calm and confident. “I just need to come up with an action plan and know when to ask for support. From there, I will just tackle each moment as it comes,” said Paine. 

Paine genuinely knows and appreciates that she is surrounded by a supportive community within the Criminal Justice & Emergency Services Department. This past December, Paine was honored with the 2021 NYS Sheriffs’ Institute Scholarship, thanks largely in part to nominations from her professors within the department. The NYS Sheriffs’ Institute Scholarship is awarded to one criminal justice student who demonstrates exceptional work within the classroom and the community. 

“I have always felt supported by the faculty and I love them all. I love that they have created such a comfortable environment for all of us. I can stay after class to seek professional advice and am never turned away. They never hesitate to offer their guidance or make a connection within the local law enforcement community. Professor Julian, Professor Martindale, Professor Sheerin, and Professor Weber all attended my awards ceremony at the Broome County Sheriffs’ Office. Their presence meant so much to me,” shared Paine.

A native of Vestal, NY, Paine initially came to SUNY Broome in 2016 as a health studies student. For years she worked as a CNA in a transitional care/physical rehabilitation unit at Binghamton General Hospital, and loved the environment of healthcare. Her goal was to complete her prerequisite courses as a health studies student and eventually transfer into SUNY Broome’s highly competitive nursing program.

When a close relative, who struggles with mental illness, had a run-in with the law, Paine was exposed to a noticeable gap between mental health awareness and the criminal justice system. “All of a sudden I knew that I was being called to serve my community in a different capacity. I was immediately inspired to enter the world of criminal justice with the mission to help spread exposure, awareness, and understanding of mental illnesses and their effects. With that, I switched out of the health studies program and into criminal justice,” said Paine. 

Throughout her time within the program, Paine was exposed to all of the local law enforcement agencies. While her husband, fellow SUNY Broome criminal justice graduate, felt drawn to the Endicott Police Department, Paine had an immediate connection to the Broome County Sheriffs’ Office.

“My husband and I grew up in Broome County and have always been tied to this community. We plan to live here, raise our family here, and retire here. My husband is so honored to have recently joined the Endicott Police Department. I am so excited to see where I end up,”  said Paine. 

Paine’s due date falls about a month before the end of the semester. In preparation for such an expectedly busy time, she is working with her professors to come up with specialized plans so that she can stay on track with class lectures and with her assignments.

“This is such an exciting time in my life. I really hope that SUNY Broome will be able to host an in-person graduation ceremony this year, because I am really looking forward to celebrating this degree, especially with our son! It’s such a blessing!”

Learn more about SUNY Broome’s Criminal Justice & Emergency Services Department!

Tags: