At 79 years old, Leroy Harris knows his calling to serve the community is still ever-present, and the now-Ferris State University alum plans to use his degree to give back to others.
Born and raised as a Michigander, Harris has always been passionate about “looking out for the underdog,” and has used much of his experience on the east side of the state to navigate his life, which led him to complete a bachelor’s in Criminal Justice at a point in his life that many would consider non-traditional.
Whether it’s steering children towards faith and fellowship, working in juvenile and adult correctional facilities, or maintaining an unofficial role as the neighborhood guidance counselor, always being quick to help others is what motivates most of his choices.
However, Harris noted that his recent graduation accomplishment was never a serious intention while at Southwestern High School in the late 1960s.
“As a matter of fact, I was just an average student and never even dreamed of college, never thought too deep about it,” he said.
He dropped out of high school and instead performed labor jobs with multiple companies for several decades, including Chrysler and Wyandotte Chemicals.
Over the course of time, he finished his GED and met his late wife, Marilyn Malone, at a local grocery store. The two would eventually raise a family of six children, including two sets of twins, all while his dream of serving the community through criminal justice grew stronger.
That’s what led him to making his first attempt at Wayne County Community College in 1996. However, the difficulties of raising a family while maintaining his grades were too much to bear at the time, as he would drop out to focus on his loved ones.
After his wife’s passing in 2003, Harris continued to raise what is now a much larger family of six children and 10 grandchildren. Though it was hard to not have Marilyn by his side, he also knew he had to achieve his dream of working in criminal justice.
He decided to make another run at WCCC in 2018 where he eventually completed his associate degree in Criminal Justice and got his first chance in the field as an intern with the college’s police department. Before wrapping up his time there, he was urged by a professor to consider working at Spectrum Juvenile Justice Services, which he successfully managed to do.
“I knew from there at Spectrum that I was going to get my bachelor’s, because I loved working with those young people and wanted to have more opportunities,” Harris said.
He continued to gain more experience while plugging away at Ferris State, which he emphasized was only possible because of the opportunity to take online courses as he worked part-time.
Ferris State’s Criminal Justice program offers a direct path to in-demand jobs in criminal justice by combining practical training with academic preparation. Students learn from faculty with professional experience in policing, corrections, probation, and court administration, gaining a clear understanding of the daily responsibilities of professionals in the criminal justice field.
Harris said without the flexible options to learn and the second-to-none relationships he made with his professors, his goal of completing his bachelor's degree wouldn’t have been possible.
“As almighty God as my witness, I was shocked. It’s hard to put into words. They let me call or text them at any time, come to them with a personal problem if it is affecting my education. These are people going beyond their duty to make sure you graduate,” he said. “I’m just thankful to all of them. Everyone prepares you to graduate. … I have no reason to lie when I say that I recommend anyone to consider going to Ferris State.”
He’s eternally grateful for his experience as a Bulldog, but Harris admitted something that he knows he would have regretted: not telling his family and friends he as graduating.
Although this was a big moment, he felt guilty to have his support group make the seven-hour round trip drive from Detroit to Big Rapids.
“I thought I’d be bothering them, so I was just going to come get my degree and take pictures to show them later, but I knew it would hurt them,” Harris said, as he realized there was no question he wanted them present. “I’m glad I told them, and beyond grateful they came.”
Now with his bachelor’s in hand, Harris is still torn between whether to focus more on juvenile probation or an adult correctional facility either at the part-time or full-time level.
He recognizes that it’s not just children who need a chance to be guided in the right direction, as he’s especially motivated to help adults after losing friends who suffered from poor decisions. Harris also wants to continue advocating against the stigma that all offenders need to be locked away and forgotten about in whatever position he serves in.
Regardless, he knows for certain that he will apply his faith and fellowship to wherever his journey takes him.
“What I’m most looking forward to now is to help people even more, and help them realize that Jesus Christ deserves the glory, the honor, and the praise, not me. My goal is to help people realize that. It’s where I belong.”
As for anyone doubting that they can’t complete a degree – or even a life goal – because they are at a certain age in their life, Harris emphasized that you won’t ever know until you try.
He’s grateful that instead of spending more time worried that it’s too late, he made the attempt and reaped priceless rewards.
“This is one of the biggest hang ups people have and I did too: they keep looking at how long something will take to finish. The simple solution is you’re going to be here, anyway, but did you do it instead spending that time worrying?” he said. “There’s no expiration date on resilience and adaptability.”
Release and photo courtesy of Ferris State University.
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