Jason Dombkowski, chief of police for the City of West Lafayette, graduated from the MS in technology (leadership) program in May 2014. We asked him to reflect on his experiences with the program.
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While attending the FBI National Academy in 2011, I completed some graduate level work at the University of Virginia. Upon returning to West Lafayette, I wanted to further my graduate studies at a world-renowned institution. My interests in leadership and technology pointed me in the direction of the College of Technology at Purdue University.
With a full family life that includes four children and a demanding professional career, I needed to find a structured graduate program that was flexible enough to accommodate the working professional. After meeting with the professional and experienced staff at ProSTAR in 2012, I was quickly enrolled in the weekend master’s program.
I was attracted to the weekend master’s program by its clearly defined learning objectives and its structured weekend and semester schedules. The program was hard work but the cohort of other working professionals in the program fostered an encouraging and friendly learning environment. Our cohort provided a network of support that encouraged everyone to complete the program together.
I not only gained a wealth of knowledge, skills and abilities by completing the program, but also gained a better perspective for the big picture and the need to maintain balance in my professional and personal life.
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Jason Dombkowski has served his community as an officer of the West Lafayette Police Department for over 20 years; he is currently serving his seventh year as the city’s chief of police. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University, a postgraduate certificate from the University of Virginia and a Master of Science degree from Purdue University. He is a graduate of Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command and the FBI National Academy.