Ahjmir Drayton is taking advantage of opportunities to enhance his career development at Penn State Abington, including forming professional relationships with faculty, earning top grades, enrolling in an accelerated master's program in his major, and assuming a leadership role in a student organization.
ABINGTON, Pa. — After an introductory criminology course hooked Ahjmir Drayton on the field, he chose to frontload his resume by enrolling in Penn State Abington’s 4+1 accelerated master’s degree in criminal justice. The program helps Drayton to save time and money by completing his bachelor’s at Abington while taking up to nine credits of graduate-level courses online at Delaware Valley University (DelVal).
Drayton, one of the first criminal justice majors to take advantage of the option, began his first master’s-level class over the summer. The pathway prepares graduates to thrive in key roles ranging from local to international environments.
“The coursework at Abington significantly prepared me to pursue a master's by enhancing my thinking and writing skills on criminal justice issues. My studies at DelVal, focusing on ethics and philosophy, require advanced critical thinking and the ability to explain and challenge text,” Drayton, a fourth-year student, said.
He's considering correctional counseling as his first role, he said, and his classes and engagement with faculty support his goals.
“The faculty at Abington are phenomenal, especially in criminal justice. They give constructive criticism, allow you to think for yourself and make your own judgments, and they are always willing to discuss any topics that you may not understand or help you find deeper meanings,” Drayton said.
Patricia Collins, an assistant teaching professor in criminal justice, regularly offers her expertise and experience to him, said Drayton.
“I've had a few sit-downs with Professor Collins and discussed her experience working in correctional facilities and correctional institution injustice. She shares opportunities and topics with me so I can dive further into them. These interactions opened my eyes toward issues in the criminal justice system especially in corrections and have impacted my interest in working in corrections,” Drayton said.
Collins serves as one of his on-campus mentors along with Lisa Morris, an associate teaching professor and the criminal justice program chair. Morris, who is also his adviser, praised his winning combination of work ethic and personal qualities.
“Ahjmir excels through exceptional dedication, outstanding academic performance, and participation. When he was enrolled in my introduction to criminal justice course, he quietly but consistently went above and beyond in his studies, participated in classroom discussions, and contributed to community projects. His ability to balance academics with extracurricular activities and his genuine curiosity to delve deeper into subjects make him a true standout,” Morris said.
“The coursework at Abington significantly prepared me to pursue a master's by enhancing my thinking and writing skills."—Ahjmir Drayton , fourth-year student, Penn State Abington
Opportunities that provide career insights abound at Abington, regardless of a student’s major. Drayton and his classmates in a course on corrections in America took tours of major federal and county facilities in the region and met inmates.
Drayton said he hopes to grow the campus' Criminal Justice Association through his role as a vice president by bringing “peers together and allowing them to interact with areas in criminal justice they may not know of or would like to further understand."
Despite his busy schedule and with his required internship coming up next semester, the first-generation college student manages to rack up hours as a supermarket cashier and plans to start mixed martial arts training.
Drayton transferred to Abington after completing his associate’s degree at Community College of Philadelphia. The campus's affordability, beauty, location close to his home, and its worldwide reputation attracted him, he said.
“Penn State has a reputable status, which comes with many benefits through alumni, faculty, opportunities, and connections through peers and employers,” he said.
About Penn State Abington
Penn State Abington provides an affordable, accessible and high-impact education resulting in the success of a diverse student body. It is committed to student success through innovative approaches to 21st-century public higher education within a world-class research university. With more than 3,100 students, Penn State Abington is a residential campus that offers baccalaureate degrees in 25 majors, accelerated master's degrees, undergraduate research, the Schreyer Honors College, NCAA Division III athletics and more.
