Alumni Highlights

Stories of Kish graduates doing amazing things

Alumni Highlights

Andy Sullivan

For 29 years, Andy Sullivan has served the community through his work at the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office. Sullivan’s tenure with DeKalb County started from an opportunity he discovered through Kishwaukee College’s Criminal Justice program.

“I got into law enforcement through Kish. One of my Criminal Justice program courses was an internship. When I completed my internship, I was Andy Sullivanoffered 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. While having 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.

A 1993 graduate of DeKalb High School, Sullivan entered Kish’s Criminal Justice program in the mid-1990s and credits the hands-on training opportunities for helping guide his career.

“The instructors I had, and the instructors to this day, are phenomenal. They give you real-world experiences, and it is crucial to inspiring students on their career path,” Sullivan said. “The small, close-knit atmosphere was really great.”

Sullivan said his instructor, who worked for the Illinois State Police (ISP), would regularly allow students to do ride-alongs. Additionally, Sullivan recalls riding in airplanes with ISP when they were conducting traffic details.

Initially, Sullivan did not complete a degree or certificate from Kishwaukee College. However, the drive to advance his education and career brought Sullivan back to Kish, where he completed an Associate in Applied Science degree in Criminal Justice in 2011.

“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.

Following his time at Kish, Sullivan later earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Leadership Management and a Certificate of Graduate Study in Public Management. As an adult learner, Sullivan’s recommendation to current students was to focus on their education early, but know they always have the opportunity to return.

“It is good for younger people to start their college education and try to finish before they are tied down in a career. Life happens, and things can get in the way. But if you focus on your studies and your educational path, you don’t have to slow down,” Sullivan said.

See more Kish alumni highlights at kish.edu/alumni. Learn more about Kish’s Criminal Justice program at kish.edu/criminaljustice.


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