Alumnus Marlon
Marlon grew up in the housing projects of Chicago. With little hope or opportunity in his neighborhood, he turned to selling drugs. After receiving a felony charge, Marlon knew he had to make a change; he was determined not to let the “felon” stigma discourage him.
He left Chicago and moved to Minnesota, eventually finding his way to Minneapolis College. Marlon took advantage of a program that offered a GED equivalent and found himself excelling in school, boosting his GPA from a 2.0 to a 3.72 and earning an associate degree in human services and criminal justice, all while working for the Public Safety Department and most recently on our Facilities Team.
Did you know that Marlon recently landed his dream job? We’re delighted to let you know that he is now a juvenile corrections officer with Hennepin County.
“I always believed in this; you can never let a [criminal charge] stigma hinder your future. You could let it motivate you or discourage you; you could use it positively or negatively. I chose to use it positively. It was the wrap-around student services at Minneapolis College that encouraged me to make this choice. I hope to serve as an example for my young mentees at Hennepin County that it’s never too late to change.”
We’re so proud of you, Marlon!