From a very young age people are exploring their future. Adults ask children what they want to be when they grow up. Many people change their minds from childhood to college. Patrick Monaghan, however, is living that childhood dream through the help of Iowa Central's Criminal Justice program.
Monaghan grew up wanting to be a police officer. He graduated from Jefferson-Scranton High School and moved to Cedar Rapids to go to Kirkwood, later returning home to attend DMACC in Boone. He majored in things that would make him money instead of pursuing his desire to be a police officer.
"I was never happy, and realized I wanted to be close to home doing what I've always really wanted to do. I wanted to be a police officer, helping the community that helped raise who I am today," said Monaghan.
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Patrick Monaghan is seeking a degree in Criminal Justice, the culmination of a childhood dream.
After realizing that he wanted to pursue his goal of being a police officer, Monaghan moved to Grand Junction and enrolled in Iowa Central's Criminal Justice program. The program is a two-year degree for students hoping to become anything from police officers, sheriffs, and FBI Agents to Attorneys, Crime Scene Technicians, or Dispatchers. For students going into law enforcement, state requirements like completion of a law enforcement academy after graduation still apply. Students in the program participate in mock disaster drills and self-defense courses, among other field-specific training.
Monaghan hopes to use his degree in Criminal Justice to become a Deputy Sheriff after he graduates in May. He rides along with the Deputy Sheriffs of Webster and Greene County in order to gain hands-on experience in the field. For Monaghan, Iowa Central is a great fit. "I enjoy the college classes with the small classroom sizes. You have better relationships with your instructors, and all my instructors have been more than willing to help with any questions I have."
Outside of class Monaghan keeps busy with a job at the Potash Corp and through involvement with the Iowa National Guard. He is a Blackhawk Helicopter Avionic Mechanic out of the Boone Armory and volunteers for the Fire Department in Grand Junction. Monaghan spends every free minute he can with his girlfriend. He also enjoys riding motorcycles, hunting, fishing, golfing and bowling.
Monaghan likes being at Iowa Central, and added that Fort Dodge is a great place because it has a lot of opportunities for people. He is certainly thankful for the opportunity Iowa Central has given him to pursue his childhood dream so close to friends and family.