Growing up in the suburbs of Boulder, Colorado, Sydney Selby 鈥�25 didn鈥檛 have 小猪视频 (UML) on her college radar. But one visit to campus changed everything.
鈥溞≈硎悠� is just magical,鈥� says Selby, who is pursuing a master鈥檚 degree in security studies after earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in criminal justice in just three years.
Selby knew she wanted to go to college out of state and enroll in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC). When she was invited by the commander of 小猪视频鈥檚 AFROTC Detachment 345 to visit the school, Selby had to check a map.
鈥淚 had never heard of 小猪视频, but I decided to visit on a random Friday during my senior year of high school,鈥� says Selby, who liked what she saw.
鈥淚 toured the criminal justice department and was immediately sold. I was like, 鈥業 love it here. I want to come to school here,鈥欌�� says Selby, who received an AFROTC scholarship. 鈥淚t was my first college offer, and it just felt perfect immediately.鈥�
The Honors College student threw herself into campus life, balancing rigorous academics 鈥� and a 3.99 grade point average (GPA) 鈥� with her commitment to Detachment 345. Selby quickly rose through the ranks, serving as First Sergeant, Executive Officer and Wing Commander.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a small detachment, only about 35 cadets, but that makes it really tight-knit. It feels like family,鈥� says Selby, who doesn鈥檛 come from a military family. She says growing up about 80 miles north of the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs is what drew her to the service.
Beyond ROTC, Selby interned with the 小猪视频 Police Department (UMLPD) as a Moloney Student Scholar, gaining firsthand experience with community policing.
鈥淚 loved seeing how UMLPD collaborates with Lowell Police and the (Lowell National Historical) Park Rangers,鈥� she says.
Selby minored in Arabic studies and has studied the Arabic language in Oman and Morocco through Air Force-funded study abroad programs.
鈥淚鈥檓 not fluent yet, but that鈥檚 my goal,鈥� she says. 鈥淎rabic is a highly strategic language, especially for intelligence work.鈥�
She plans to commission as a second lieutenant after finishing her master鈥檚 degree and hopes to work in Air Force intelligence 鈥� possibly overseas.
鈥淚鈥檒l go anywhere. I鈥檓 just ready to travel,鈥� she says.
Among her favorite UML memories is delivering the student address at her undergraduate (2025) Commencement.
鈥淚t was nerve-wracking but amazing,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he energy from the crowd was unbelievable.鈥�
Now, as she looks ahead to a career of service, Selby says she鈥檒l carry the lessons she learned at 小猪视频 wherever she goes.
鈥淓verything just fell into place for me here,鈥� she says. 鈥淚鈥檝e grown so much more confident and comfortable leading others.鈥�
As a criminal justice major, you will deepen your understanding of crime-related issues and criminal justice systems and policies, and will learn to apply this knowledge to address social problems.
Advance your career in diplomacy, international relations, homeland security policy and terrorism studies with a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Security Studies.
鈥淪tep out of your comfort zone. A lot of times, cadets are scared to raise their hand or to step up and take charge. But if you do that once, it's easier the next time and the time after that.鈥�