Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey A. Kincaid presented seven college scholarships from the Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute (VSI) College Scholarship Program on June 24. In all, eight scholarships were presented to and recognized local students who have demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to serving their communities. Each recipient received a $1,000 scholarship to support their continued education in criminal justice-related fields at colleges and universities throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The VSI Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to Virginia students pursuing careers in criminal justice, law enforcement, public safety, and related disciplines.
“These students have demonstrated remarkable dedication to their education, their communities, and their future careers,” said Sheriff Kincaid. “Their accomplishments reflect hard work, perseverance, and a genuine desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others. We are proud to support them as they continue their academic and professional journeys.”
Congratulations to the following scholarship recipients:
Arely Solis Artola will continue her senior year at George Mason University in the fall, pursuing a degree in Criminology with a minor in Forensic Psychology. She aspires to build a career in law enforcement, with a long-term goal of becoming a detective and serving in the FBI’s Victim Services Division. Artola has gained valuable hands-on experience through the Fairfax County Police Department Community Police Academy, ride-along programs, and her role as a police cadet with the George Mason University Police Department. Fluent in both English and Spanish, she is passionate about serving diverse communities and building positive relationships through effective communication and engagement. Her leadership, professionalism, and commitment to public service have distinguished her as an emerging leader in the field of criminal justice.
Sofia Beltran completed her associate’s degree in Criminal Justice at Northern Virginia Community College and plans to continue her education at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she will pursue a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology. Driven by a passion for public safety and community service, Beltran has demonstrated resilience, determination, and a strong work ethic while overcoming personal challenges and pursuing her academic goals. Her experience working at the Fairfax County Courthouse has provided her valuable insight into the criminal justice system and reinforced her commitment to serving others. Beltran aspires to build a career in law enforcement, with goals of becoming a sheriff’s deputy or crime analyst and ultimately serving with the FBI. She’s dedicated to making a positive impact on her community.
Belleslyn Rios is a first-generation college student who will begin her junior year at George Mason University pursuing a degree in Criminology, Law, and Society. Fluent in both English and Spanish, her passion is serving diverse communities and has demonstrated a strong commitment to a future career in criminal justice. Through her experiences supporting her family and working in customer service and team leadership roles, Rios has developed exceptional communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills. She aspires to become a probation officer and is also interested in opportunities within federal law enforcement, where she hopes to help people succeed, enhance community safety, and contribute to meaningful investigations. Her dedication to public service, strong work ethic, and commitment to making a positive difference is inspiring and refreshing.
Magaly “Magy” Soto Valdez is a full-time student at George Mason University pursuing a degree in Criminology, Law and Society. She has distinguished herself through academic excellence, earning a 4.0 GPA and placement on the Dean’s List. Committed to a career in law enforcement, she’s intentionally sought opportunities to develop her leadership and public service skills. As a Lead Office Assistant and Site Coordinator for the Early Identification Program, Valdez supervises and mentors students while demonstrating strong organizational and communication abilities. Her participation in the Public Safety Cadet Program, internship with the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, and service as Vice President of her neighborhood civic association have provided valuable experience in law enforcement operations, community engagement, and public service. With a strong commitment to serving others and enhancing public safety, Valdez exemplifies the dedication, professionalism, and leadership required for a fulfilling career in law enforcement.
Greyy Van Ness will begin her freshman year at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, where she plans to pursue double majors in Criminology and Sociology. She also plans to minor in Integrated Security and Behavioral Decision Science, as she works toward a career in federal law enforcement. As a graduate of the Global STEM Challenges Program, Van Ness is also a four-year varsity athlete in soccer and flag football, demonstrating exceptional discipline, teamwork, and perseverance. Her commitment to helping others is reflected in her creation of “Donate to Disaster,” a community fundraising initiative that raised nearly $500 and coordinated donations for families impacted by the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires. Her leadership, compassion, and strong critical-thinking skills exemplifies the values of service and excellence.
Alexa J. Veneros continues her studies as a senior at George Mason University pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Criminology, Law and Society with a concentration in Homeland Security. Veneros is also completing an accelerated master’s degree in Criminal Justice. Throughout her academic career, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership as a Resident Assistant, Web Chair for the Criminology, Law and Society Student Association, and former Chief Explorer in the CBP Youth Law Enforcement Program. Her internships with Homeland Security Investigations have further strengthened her investigative and analytical skills, while her passion for addressing issues such as human trafficking and child exploitation reflects her dedication to serving and protecting vulnerable populations.
Emily Wells will be a junior in the fall at Virginia Tech pursuing double majors in Criminology and Political Science, along with a minor in Psychology. Driven by a passion for public service, she hopes to build a career in the criminal justice field, with a particular interest in law enforcement and strengthening systems that promote fairness, accountability, and community safety. Wells has demonstrated exceptional leadership and professionalism through a variety of academic and service-oriented roles, including serving as an intern in Senator Tim Kaine’s Roanoke Office, where she assisted with constituent outreach and communications. She is also an Undergraduate Research Assistant with the Center for Applied Behavior Systems and serves as Event Coordinator for the Virginia Tech Psychology Club. Through these experiences, Wells has developed strong communication, research, and leadership skills while demonstrating a commitment to serving others.
Nathan Windsor is a student at Radford University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with minors in Legal Studies and Crime Analysis and Criminal Intelligence. He is also enrolled in an accelerated program working toward a master’s degree, demonstrating exceptional dedication to his academic and professional goals. Windsor has a strong interest in crime analysis and the use of data-driven strategies to support investigations and enhance public safety. Beyond the classroom, he has demonstrated outstanding leadership as President of Sigma Phi Epsilon and former President of the Sports Clubs Council, where he successfully led multiple organizations and fostered teamwork, accountability, and collaboration. Through his internship with the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, Windsor gained valuable firsthand experience in law enforcement operations and further solidified his commitment to a career in criminal justice.
Congratulations again to each of our scholarship awardees, and best of luck in the coming school year.