DU's Professional Studies Program Leads to Student’s New Career in Crime Victim Advocacy
When Jacquelyn Reidy wanted to advance in her career with the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office, she knew she needed to complete her bachelor’s degree.
Thanks to Dominican University’s Bachelor of Professional Studies degree program, Reidy now works as a victim specialist, informing crime victims of their rights and guiding them through the legal process.
The Professionals Studies degree is geared toward nontraditional students who are already in the workforce, allowing them to complete courses online and at a reduced tuition rate.
Focus areas within the bachelor’s degree program include criminal justice administration, disability advocacy, human services, labor relations, legal studies, public administration, sustainability studies, and training and development. There is also a Master of Arts in mediation and conflict resolution.
The program “gives students the opportunity to get their bachelor’s in a very convenient format and it’s economically feasible for them to do it,” said Laurie Riggin, adult undergraduate recruiter at Dominican University.
Reidy is set to receive her degree in December after completing a final portfolio project, Riggin said.
For Reidy, flexibility was especially important as she pursued her studies with a focus in legal studies.
“I was juggling working full-time, going to school and taking care of two kids,” Reidy said. “The flexibility of the program and the understanding of the professors allowed me some grace when I was overloaded. It was probably one of the best things that worked for me — being able to have open communication with my professors when I was struggling and they being willing to work with me.”
In her courses, Reidy said she found Dominican’s professors to give “careful thought and consideration” into the topics they were teaching.
“You can tell there are some who are preaching what they are teaching,” she noted.
Reidy, who worked for the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office for more than 10 years in an administrative support role, obtained her associate’s degree in 2020 and transferred to Dominican the following year.
She initially enrolled with a goal of becoming a paralegal, but shifted her focus to more human services courses. Ultimately, that led her to the position of victim specialist with the Lake County State's Attorney's Office that she holds today.
“I never anticipated falling into this field,” Reidy acknowledged. “I always wanted to be the person back behind the closed doors, but now I am working with victims of crime, leading them through the court proceedings and working in conjunction with prosecutors.”
Reidy’s primary responsibilities involve sharing information and resources to survivors of crime and assessing their needs. That may include referrals for mental health counseling, a domestic violence shelter, or obtaining compensation. The Illinois Crime Victims Bill of Rights is also explained.
“We are the ones who are giving information in simpler terms and not things clouded with legalese,” Reidy said. “We explain everything and provide support for victims.”
More recently, that work has focused on the many survivors of the Highland Park July 4th mass shooting that took the lives of seven parade goers and injured 48 others.
“It’s about being resilient and trying to make sure you are wholly grounded and helping anybody who comes across your desk,” Reidy said of her work. “It doesn’t matter if it’s something as traumatic as a mass shooting or being involved in a traffic accident. If you don’t know what is going on, it can be a scary thing.”