A few weeks after completing three majors — criminal justice, sociology and psychology — at Olivet Nazarene University in August 2017, Anthony Deutsch ’17 entered his dream law enforcement career with the U.S. Secret Service. Today, this criminal justice major is part of the Uniformed Division serving at the White House in Washington, D.C.
His interest in this career began with the example set by his grandfather, who served as a police officer in DeKalb County, Illinois. As a college student at Olivet, Anthony discovered his dream career when a Secret Service agent spoke to one of his classes.
“The hiring process for the Secret Service was a long one but completely worth it,” he says.
Beginning with his application on USAJobs.com, Anthony entered a whirlwind of a written test, interviews, background and credit checks, polygraph and drug tests, and a physical. An investigator also interviewed his friends and co-workers, as well as former teachers, professors and coaches.
When the official job offer from the Secret Service came, he immediately accepted.
Just one week later, he arrived at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. He spent the next 12 weeks there, completing rigorous preparation for his future assignments. Next came 17 weeks of additional training in Washington, D.C. With his assignment to the Uniformed Division, he is now stationed at the White House.
“Olivet put me on the right track and helped me develop the right mindset to accomplish my dreams,” Anthony says. He credits Dr. Craig Bishop ’08 M.O.L./’13 Ed.D. and Dr. Shelly Stroud ’90, his criminal justice professors, and Dr. Kent Olney, his psychology and sociology professor, for their exceptional skills in teaching and inspiring him.
“Each class I took at Olivet taught me something new,” he says. “Without the care and commitment of my professors, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
Anthony’s advice for high school and college students is simple. “Follow your dreams,” he says. “Study what you love and are passionate about. Enjoy your time in college, focus on your classes and get to know your professors well. You can do all this and so much more at Olivet.”
As his career with the Secret Service continues to develop, Anthony has a wealth of opportunities available to him, including world travel. He would also love to see more Olivet alumni working with him at this high level of law enforcement.
“I never would have believed I’d be working in federal law enforcement,” he says. “My Olivet education has definitely positioned me for success in my dream career.”
To learn more about Olivet’s areas of study in criminal justice, contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@olivet.edu or 800-648-1463.
Photos submitted by Anthony Deutsch. Used with permission from U.S. Secret Service.
Published: 7/25/2018
