Featuring Sherlyn Medina of Norfolk, Neb., who is majoring in Criminal Justice at Wayne State College.
Helping people in need and seeing that justice is served both sparked Sherlyn Medina’s interest in the criminal justice system. Medina, a sophomore from Norfolk, Neb., who is majoring in Criminal Justice at Wayne State, is the subject of a special segment of the Student Spotlight Series, which honors First-Generation College Celebration Day on Friday, Nov. 7, at Wayne State.
“I’ve always watched television shows such as ‘Law & Order,’ ‘NCIS,’ and ‘Criminal Minds’ to gain a better understanding of the justice system,” said Medina, who is a first-generation college student. “But since I’m such an empathetic person, I started identifying with the victims more when I started watching the true crime documentaries, and that has pushed me toward a career in the criminal justice field to see that victims and their families get the justice they deserve.”
Medina’s desire to help others is on full display at Wayne State. She’s currently the president of the Students Inspiring Respectable Ideas (SIRI) Multicultural Sorority Interest Group on campus, a group that is seeking an official, Greek-affiliated sorority. Currently, Medina says SIRI is involved with the application and interview process to meet the national requirements for affiliation.
Medina’s reason for choosing to attend Wayne State was its Career Scholars Cooperative Education Program. While she’s only a sophomore, she said the program has had an immediate impact on her.
“The Career Scholars Program is already providing me with so many opportunities to be prepared once I graduate from Wayne State,” said Medina. “It’s helping me enhance my career-ready skills through networking, professionalism, leadership, and communication. The Career Scholars Program will also secure an internship position for me in Grand Island where I will finish my senior year of college.”
Cooperative education is a method of combining classroom education with real work experience for college credit. At its core, the Career Scholars Program supports workforce and economic development in Nebraska. The program offers students an opportunity to afford a four-year degree while also providing them with career experience.
Medina said the Career Scholars Program isn’t the only thing that has impressed her at Wayne State.
“There’s so many activities happening on campus and in the city of Wayne,” said Medina. “Whether its athletic events, city events, clubs, or a variety of events put on by Cat PAC (Wildcat Programming and Activities Council), everyone has something to do that they can enjoy.”
At Wayne State, Medina is also active in the Criminal Justice Association, Alpha Lambda Delta (national honor society for first year academic success), and the National Society of Leadership and Success.
Medina will graduate in May 2028, and she intends to pursue a career in juvenile rehabilitation or diversion programs.
Fun Fact: “I have dual citizenship, so I am a citizen of the United States and Mexico.”