The Virginia Sheriffs' Institute (VSI) scholarship program provides an opportunity for young people across Virginia to pursue an education in criminal justice. The scholarship is limited to students who attend Virginia colleges and universities. The annual application period runs from January through April. Scholarships are available only to students who reside in jurisdictions where sheriffs participate in fundraising efforts, which includes Fairfax County Sheriff Stacey Kincaid. Applicants must include a personal essay and a letter of recommendation from their county sheriff.
2018: Sesaly Barden, a graduate of South Lakes High School, is a rising junior at Mary Baldwin University. Sesaly is a member of the Virginia Institute for Leadership, an all-female ROTC program, where she joined the Drill Team, the Conduct Committee and the Color Guard. Through this program she will graduate with a minor in Leadership along with her major in Criminal Justice. Sesaly says her studies give her "the opportunity to be a part of my community and lead change in an era where personal values are changing." 2023 UPDATE: Sesaly Barden graduated from Mary Baldwin University in 2020 and is now a Virginia State Police Trooper, having graduated from the 134th Basic Session in 2021.
2020: Dannyela N. Rivera Jiron is in her second year at Northern Virginia Community College pursuing a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice and has earned a 3.56 GPA. She will be attending George Mason University this fall. Her goal is to become a police officer. She says the field of law enforcement provides the opportunity to make a difference in the community, “whether it’s a moment that requires the law to be enforced or one where I can step into someone’s life when they need help.” On top of her academic success, Dannyela volunteers with the Metro Police Department as a Domestic Violence Liaison and participates in church mission trips. She also participated in the Fairfax County Police Department's Citizens Police Academy in 2019. UPDATE: Dannyela N. Rivera Jiron graduated from George Mason University and is now a police officer in Prince William County.
2022: Samantha Messina is a senior at George Mason University (GMU) with a 3.99 GPA majoring in Criminology with concentration in Homeland Security and a minor in Intelligence Analysis. She will graduate in fall of 2022. After graduation, her goal is to pursue a career with a government agency where she can utilize her analytical and research skills. Since June 2020, Samantha has interned with the Department of Justice – Office of the Inspector General in Washington, DC. She also works as a community assistant at GMU where she assists with the Housing and Residence Life desk operations and serves as a resource for students. UPDATE: Samantha Messina graduated from GMU and works full-time for the U.S. Department of Justice.
2022: Natalie Heflin graduated this year from Centreville High School in Clifton, Virginia and earned a 3.724 GPA. She will attend Virginia Tech and major in Criminology. Her goal is to become a law enforcement officer. She would like to follow in the footsteps of her late father, who was a Fairfax County deputy sheriff, and her grandfather, who retired from the Virginia State Police and then also became a Fairfax County deputy sheriff. In addition to her academics, Natalie was a member of Centreville High School's Student Government Association Leadership Class, National Honor Society and Varsity Gymnastics.
2023: Duaa Chaudhry is a third-year student at George Mason University’s Honors Program majoring in criminology with a concentration in criminal justice and a minor in forensic psychology. She is also pursuing an accelerated master’s degree in criminal justice. She currently works as a police cadet at GMU, which has helped her gain experience in traffic control, effective radio traffic, communication and community outreach. She is also a paid mentor with the Mason Honors College, which has taught her about teamwork and resolving issues among a diverse and dynamic group of people. As a first generation American, a person of color, and the first in her family to pursue a career in law enforcement, Duaa wants to make her parents proud in light of all their sacrifices as well as make a difference in her community.
Return to the 2024 Announcement of Scholarship Application for Criminal Justice Majors