The newest academic advisor at the College of Criminal Justice will never forget the day he graduated from Sam Houston State University – 12-13-14.
“I’ll probably remember that even after I’ve forgotten my name,” said Kevin Madden, who joined the Academic Advising Office at the College of Criminal Justice this spring.
Madden, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, is very familiar with the University and College, having joined at least 10 organizations on campus as an undergraduate as well as participating in the National Association of Eagle Scouts. He was a member of the Honors College, the Student Alumni Association, the Freshman Leadership Program, the Sam Houston Elite, the Student Government Association, Alpha Lambda Delta, Orange Keys University Ambassadors, the College of Criminal Justice Ambassadors, the Golden Key Society and a CJ Summer Camp Counselor.
His activities outside the classroom – and networking with key administrators -- is what Madden liked best about his college education. “I had the ability to do so much and to make meaningful connections,” Madden said.
Madden is hoping to help today’s students find their successful path through higher education and into the field of criminal justice.
“I like being in a college atmosphere,” he said. “I had a lot of experience with the department and my advisor, and I thought it would be an interesting opportunity.”
Madden believes in the University’s motto, “A Measure of a Life is Its Service” and contributed more than more than 300 hours of community service as an undergraduate. In addition, the native of the South Dallas area built a fence and lighting for Thompson Park, an underprivileged area in Waxahachie, as part of his Eagle Scout project. The playground was just 12 feet from the street, and he wanted to protect the neighborhood children from traffic.
As an outstanding scholar, Madden was selected twice for Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities in 2013 and 2014. But while he is committed to his studies, Madden also has a fun side. His hobbies include skydiving, scuba diving and cliff jumping.
Madden would like to take his education and experience to the next level in the spring by going to law school to eventually become a Judge Advocate General, preferably in the Air Force. A JAG officer is a military lawyer that practices a wide variety of cases in the legal field, such as criminal, contract, civil, and environmental law, on behalf of the U.S. military.
In the meantime, Madden is giving back to the university that put him on his path to success. Visit him in the Academic Advising Office to discover your unique talents and passion. He can be reached at (936) 294-1681 or at kevin.madden@shsu.edu.
