Andy Sullivan, DeKalb County Sheriff, was awarded the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award by the Kishwaukee College Foundation. The award honors established alumni who have demonstrated service or outstanding contributions within the Kish community.
"It is a huge honor to be selected for this award, as I am sure there are many deserving candidates. I am proud to be a Kish graduate and serve my community. This is a great highlight I can share," Sullivan said.
Sullivan started at Kish by completing a Basic Nurse Assisting certificate in Spring 1992. He studied in Kish's Criminal Justice program from Fall 1994 to Spring 1997. Through Kish, Sullivan made connections that landed him his first job in law enforcement with the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office.
"I got into law enforcement through Kish. One of my Criminal Justice program courses was an internship. When I completed my internship, I was offered a role at the Sheriff's Office due to the contacts I made," Sullivan said.
Now serving as the DeKalb County Sheriff, Sullivan has worked his entire career with the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, starting in the corrections department in 1996. By 1998, he transferred to the patrol division and began working as a K-9 handler in 2001. Sullivan was promoted to Patrol Sergeant in 2008, Patrol Lieutenant in 2012 and Chief Deputy in 2015. In 2021, he was appointed Sheriff following the retirement of longtime DeKalb County Sheriff Roger Scott. Sullivan was elected to a four-year term as Sheriff in 2022 and is currently running unopposed for reelection in 2026. While he had opportunities to work elsewhere, he realized early on that he wanted to serve in his hometown area.
"This has been my one and only police job. I realized this is where I want to be. This is the community I grew up in, and it is the community I want to serve," Sullivan said.
As Sullivan pursued professional development opportunities throughout his career, he returned to Kishwaukee College in Spring 2007, taking courses as a part-time student while continuing to work full-time. In May 2011, he completed an Associate in Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice. Following Kish, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice & Leadership Management in 2015 and a Certificate of Graduate Study in Public Management in 2017.
"As an adult learner, it's always a positive that you can go back and finish your degree. I realized that's what I needed to do. I wanted my kids to see me finish my degree and complete my aspirations in my career field. I was able to work around my schedule and take classes here and there to make it work," Sullivan said. "Having the opportunity to come back and finish something that you started is really important. Kishwaukee College is instrumental in offering that for our community."
As DeKalb County's chief law enforcement officer, Sullivan coordinates with community leaders to enhance public safety. The Sheriff's Office maintains a working relationship with Kishwaukee College, providing on-campus security and more. Sullivan is a member of several community organizations, including the DeKalb Salvation Army Advisory Board, St. Mary's Church in DeKalb, the DeKalb Knights of Columbus Council #717, and the Illinois Concerns of Police Survivors (ILCOPS) chapter, which provides resources to help rebuild the lives of surviving families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
"Andy's selfless dedication to the residents of DeKalb County and the Kishwaukee College community makes him an excellent choice for the Distinguished Alumni Award. His story of lifelong learning sets a great example for anyone looking to advance their college or career goals," said Courtney Walz, Executive Director of the Kishwaukee College Foundation.
Learn more about the Kishwaukee College Foundation and the Distinguished Alumni Award at kish.edu/foundation.