Alumni Success
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Rick Hanson
Rick Hanson graduated in 1988 with a major in Psychology. While at MNU, he was a teaching assistant to Dr. Bob Drummond and a decorated athlete, being named Academic All American in football and track. He was also very involved in student government and residence life.
Rick went on to KU and completed his master's degree in Counseling Psychology. During that time, he served for three years as a Residence Hall Director at MNU. He taught as adjunct professor in Psychology at MNU before leaving the area to pursue his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Michigan State.
Currently Rick is Assistant Director of the Rockhurst University Counseling Center in Kansas City. He continues to teach as adjunct professor at MNU. He is married and has three children. He is able to express the compassion of Christ by using his educational and counseling skills in his vocational field.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Andew Secor
My name is Andrew Secor and I attended MNU for my undergrad from 01-05 as well as for my Masters degree 05-07. Throughout my time at MNU I had the opportunity to be involved in many different areas of study. I was a triple major: criminal justice, psychology, and sociology. The education I received was excellent and has benefited me in my current field. I currently work at TLC for Children and Families as a member of the clinical team. TLC is a psychiatric residential treatment facility that works with children and adolescents in SRS custody as well as Juvenile Justice Authority custody. My education in criminal justice has been very useful in this area of work because so many of the kids I work with have or are involved with the legal system. I have constant contact with case workers, lawyers, judges, and the police. The understanding I gained during my criminal justice training has given me knowledge that other co-workers in the field lack. Going through the criminal justice program provided the knowledge I needed to be an active and productive member of my field and has really boosted the options I have for what I can do to better serve people in this population.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Heather Dukat 
Currently I'm employed at the Johnson County Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center (JIAC) in Olathe, Kansas as an Intake Supervisor. During the assessment, appropriate community-based referrals are given and decisions on placement are determined. Many children are released to their parents with proper referrals to assist them in getting their life "back on track" and deter them from future law enforcement involvement. For others, their placement may consist of a stay in Juvenile Detention until they can see a judge, or temporary foster care. I will soon be moving to Duluth, Minnesota where I was offered a position as a Drug and Alcohol Case Manager/Counselor-in-training for adolescent juvenile offenders. As for Criminal Justice at MNU, best time of my life! Students are able to attend Criminal Justice Conferences around the country; exposing them to all elements of the criminal justice system. Now I am no longer a college student observing others in the Criminal Justice field, but an employee; practicing my management skills with a specialization in Juvenile Justice.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Isaac Kurtz
I graduated in May of 2003 with a degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Psychology. I am currently a Field Training Officer, DUl lnstructor, and I recently completed DRE Training and now I'm considered a Drug Recognition Expert. A degree in criminal justice has helped me greatly. What I read about and learned about in class is directly related to what I do in my day to day work. The general background of the Criminal Justice system helped me. I deal with people all of the time. Being able to effectively communicate with people makes a big difference. The education I received helped prepare me and gave me a basis of the criminal justice system that others who don't have a degree may not know or understand. The college education I received taught me a lot - responsibility, work ethic, how to get along with people, meeting deadlines, report writing, understanding people, how to treat people fairly. It made me a better person.
