Susie Stutz - '26
On Patrol: Future Officer Stutz Balances Security, Sports, and Studies
Susie Stutz’s dream of becoming a police officer started in an unexpected place: a high school Sociology class where she watched the Netflix docuseries about an underfunded police department called Flint Town. “The documentary showed me there was a serious need for strong law enforcement departments across the country,” says Stutz. “It was actually a really honorable position.” That initial inspiration led her to complete a high school internship with her local police department in Massachusetts, where ride-alongs confirmed her career choice.
Now a junior at Southern Wesleyan University, Stutz is already gaining hands-on experience through campus security work while balancing academics and athletics in order to make that dream a reality.
Since transferring to SWU from Taylor University in Indiana, Stutz has immersed herself in the criminal justice program. She says her coursework feels like a “pre-police academy,” providing practical experience in everything from traffic stop procedures to firearms training. Currently enrolled in a firearms evidence class, she appreciates how directly her studies align with her future career.
“Everything’s super hands-on,” Stutz explains. “It’s directly tied to what I want to do.”
Her Criminal Justice professors, James McDonald and Brad Bowen, have played crucial roles in shaping her understanding of law enforcement. “Professor McDonald’s classes are challenging in a way that I didn’t expect,” she says. He’s always trying to get us to think really deeply and reflect personally on the material.” She especially values Dr. Bowen’s experience as a former Anderson County police officer, which allows him to bring real-world experience into the classroom.
Between classes, Stutz works as a campus security officer under the guidance of Adam Ladd, SWU’s Safety Coordinator. “I’ve greatly enjoyed working with Adam for the past year,” Stutz says. “He has so much experience in a variety of different areas, and he clearly has a heart for teaching and sharing that information.”
Under Ladd’s mentorship, Stutz has discovered both the unpredictable nature of law enforcement work and the importance of developing diverse practical skills. “Some days, I’m legitimately driving around for an hour, and nothing is happening,” she explains. “Other days, it feels like back-to-back calls about this and that.” Beyond routine patrols, she’s learned everything from basic electrical work to programming locks around campus.“ Adam has equipped me with a myriad of practical skills that I believe everybody should learn,” she says.
Her commitment to law enforcement extends beyond campus. Last year, Stutz completed a ride-along with Clemson PD, experiencing the faster pace of a college town compared to her New England hometown. “I got to run radar and see what an average day in the life of a police officer is like,” she says, noting how even routine traffic stops provided valuable insights.
As a student-athlete on SWU’s track team, Stutz maintains a packed schedule that starts with chapel on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, followed by classes, work, and afternoon practice. Despite the demanding schedule, she remains optimistic: “It’s been super busy, but not in an overwhelming way. I kind of enjoy going from one thing to the next—I feel very productive during the day.”
Looking ahead, Stutz sees two potential paths: either attending the police academy and joining a local department like Clemson or Anderson or pursuing graduate studies. Either way, she plans to remain in South Carolina, close to family.
Her faith plays a central role in her career choice. “Police work is a place where Christian values like compassion and empathy are super important,” she reflects. “We need more people with the Christian worldview, especially with all the changes happening today in society.” She credits her faith with preparing her for the challenges ahead: “I’m not really sure how I could do a job like police work without faith in God.”
For now, Stutz has embraced multiple roles—student, security officer, and athlete—finding purpose in each experience that brings her closer to her goal of serving and protecting communities.