The Virginia Sheriffs' Institute (VSI) scholarship program provides an opportunity for young people across Virginia to pursue an education in criminal justice. The scholarship is limited to students attending Virginia colleges and universities. The annual application period generally runs from January through April. Scholarships are available only to students who reside in jurisdictions where sheriffs participate in fundraising efforts, which includes Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid. Applicants must include a personal essay and a letter of recommendation from their County sheriff.
"This diverse group of eight students succeeds academically, faces challenges head on and is passionate about public service." said Sheriff Kincaid. "I commend them on their strong work ethics and wish them the very best as they pursue careers in the criminal justice field."
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2022 VSI SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS!
Laila Azzouzi is a junior at Old Dominion University where she is majoring in Criminal Justice and Sociology with a GPA of 3.5. She is a first-generation college student and wants to make her family proud. Her goal is to pursue a career in the criminal justice field and work as a juvenile probation/parole officer or intake officer. In addition to her academics, Laila mentors first year students through TRIO Student Support Services and works at Starbucks. She is fluent in Arabic and English.
Duaa Chaudhry is a second-year student in George Mason University’s Honors Program, majoring in Criminology with a concentration in Criminal Justice and a minor in Forensic Psychology and has a 3.9 GPA. She is a first-generation college student. Her goal is to become a law enforcement officer and make a difference in her community. She wants to be that one police officer who is able to change the controversial view of policing one person at a time. After obtaining her degree in Criminology, she plans to pursue a master’s degree in Criminal Justice. In addition to her academic achievements, Duaa is employed with the George Mason Police Cadet Program where she is gaining experience in traffic control, patrol and communication. In 2019, she participated in the Virginia State Police Youth Cadet Law Enforcement Program. She is very proud of attaining her black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
Karisma Dixon is a part-time student at Northern Virginia Community College majoring in Administration of Justice. Her goal is to pursue a career in the criminal justice field where she can positively impact children. Karisma is a single mother of two and works full-time at Merritt Academy in Fairfax. She also is an administrative assistant at Nautiquos Business Solutions and volunteers at Habitat for Humanity, Deer Park Elementary School and for her children’s many sports teams.
Karina Flores-Garcia is a rising senior at George Mason University majoring in Criminology, Law and Society, with minors in Forensic Science and French. After graduating, she would like to pursue a career within the criminal justice field, where she can actively help the community. In addition to her academics, Karina is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success and has been employed in event staffing since 2019. She is fluent in English and Spanish.
Natalie Heflin graduated this year from Centreville High School in Clifton, Virginia and earned a 3.724 GPA. She will attend Virginia Tech and major in Criminology. Her goal is to become a law enforcement officer. She would like to follow in the footsteps of her late father, who was a Fairfax County deputy sheriff, and her grandfather, who retired from the Virginia State Police and then also became a Fairfax County deputy sheriff. In addition to her academics, Natalie was a member of Centreville High School's Student Government Association Leadership Class, National Honor Society and Varsity Gymnastics.
Nolan Langford graduated from Westfield High School in Chantilly, Virginia this year and will attend George Mason University. He plans to major in Criminology with a goal of becoming a detective and fighting child exploitation. Nolan participated in the Fairfax County Teen Police Academy where he developed his passion for criminal justice and a career in law enforcement. In addition to his academic workload, Nolan has been involved in many sports throughout his high school years and is employed part-time as an auto porter for Pohanka Lexus. He also volunteered as an assistant coach for the Southwestern (Fairfax County) Youth Association soccer team.
Savannah Mason is a junior at James Madison University majoring in Justice Studies with a concentration in Crime and Criminology with minors in Criminal Justice and Spanish. During the past six semesters, she has achieved the President’s List and Dean’s list, and her current GPA is 3.59. Her goal is to pursue a career in the criminal justice field where she can make a difference in the community. Her areas of interest are juvenile justice and sex crimes. In addition to her academics, Savannah is employed through the university as a tutor of student athletes and works as a private childcare provider. She is president of her sorority, Phi Mu, and was previously the Sisterhood Development Chair. She is also a member of the Justice Studies Society and a representative for the Student Government Association.
Samantha Messina is a senior at George Mason University (GMU) with a 3.99 GPA majoring in Criminology with concentration in Homeland Security and a minor in Intelligence Analysis. She will graduate in fall of 2022. After graduation, her goal is to pursue a career with a government agency where she can utilize her analytical and research skills. Since June 2020, Samantha has interned with the Department of Justice – Office of the Inspector General in Washington, DC. She also works as a community assistant at GMU where she assists with the Housing and Residence Life desk operations and serves as a resource for students.
Original source can be found here.
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