Reviewed by: Grace Howard
2 Alabama public safety officers + how they earned degrees to unlock success
Reading time: 4 minutes
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Take two public safety officers, one fighting fire, the other recently retired after decades of fighting crime—different uniforms and personal backgrounds, and yet a common oath to protect fellow Alabamians.
Daphne Firefighter Robert Giles and retired Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Chief Felicia Rucker-Sumerlin also have another critical thing in common—bachelor’s degrees from Columbia Southern University that have been pivotal in their careers.
Read on to learn why they both chose this Alabama-based online university to pursue career goals while balancing family life and full-time work.
A law officer’s case + making history
Rucker-Sumerlin was 17 years into her career with the sheriff’s department before pursuing a degree in criminal science back in 2011. She’d become a mother in her senior year of high school and went to work immediately after graduating. She was a mom to two by age 24, when she worked as a waitress. One day, she ended a shift and went straight to the county personnel board to explore other career opportunities.
The decision led her to her first role with the county, working in the jail. She quickly rose in the department, where she saw that a college degree would be necessary to climb the higher ranks.
In 2011, she earned the degree to match her career-long drive, a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice administration. In 2020, she became the first female deputy chief in the department’s 200-plus-year history.
“Having attended CSU made me a viable candidate for a position that I would have been overlooked for.”
Felicia Rucker-Sumerlin
A firefighter kicking open doors
Firefighters know how critical doors are to managing airflow and controlling fires. When it came to his education and where he wanted to go in his career next, Giles saw a closed door he was ready to kick wide open.
A former military member who wasn’t aligned with typical office work after reentering civilian life, Giles went after a career in firefighting, also staying busy as a husband and a father of two. He graduated from CSU in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science degree in fire administration.
With plenty on his plate, he’s proactive about his career and his ultimate goal to become a fire chief:
“My degree has given me a greater knowledge base to draw from. This degree will give me a leg up when it comes to promotion opportunities. I knew I needed a degree if I wanted the right doors to open up for me.
“As an adult learner, I want to advance in my career. I don’t want to stay in the same spot where I am. I want to eventually promote and become a chief. That’s my biggest thing—not staying stagnant and moving forward.”
Setting adult students up for success
Success stories like these are the point for CSU, which has served over 80,000 students since its founding in 1993.
Here’s a snapshot of why it works so well for people looking to scale the next level or pivot their careers:
- 100% online, so students can study from anywhere on their own schedules
- Zero textbook costs, with all required materials included in tuition
- 120+ degree programs across high-demand fields, from criminal justice and nursing to business and cyber security
- Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
Multiple factors, including prior experience, geography, and degree field, affect career outcomes. CSU does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, eligibility for a position, or other career growth. Testimonials may not reflect the experience of all CSU students.
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