We had the chance to sit down with standout Rutgers SCJ Master’s graduate Deborah Regan ’26, who shared experiences, difficulties, and advice for students considering higher education.

Q: Tell us about your journey back to higher education.

I often say that I lived life in reverse. I got married young, started a family, and built a career before pursuing a college degree. I am a legal assistant/paralegal and have always loved the law, but for many years earning a degree was something I put aside. I moved out on my own at 17 and later returned to earn my GED. There were many times I wanted to go back to school, but life had other plans. My children were younger, my mother was battling cancer, a fight that lasted 16 years, and it just never seemed like the right time. I finally decided to return to school during the pandemic in the fall of 2020. It was an adjustment. I had to relearn how to learn in a world of Zoom classrooms, online learning platforms, and virtual discussions. Along the way, I earned an A.A.S. in Paralegal Studies and an A.S. in General Professional Studies from Bergen Community College. Through Phi Theta Kappa, I received a scholarship to Rutgers University School of Criminal Justice and began my studies there in the fall of 2023. That opportunity ultimately led me to the accelerated master’s program and a path I never anticipated when I first returned to school. People sometimes assume that life becomes smaller as you get older, but for me, education expanded my world in ways I never expected.

Q: What inspired your interest in criminal justice and law?

I’ve always found the law compelling. My first job in the legal field was with an attorney who was willing to train someone without a formal education, and that experience reinforced my passion for the profession. For a long time, earning an undergraduate degree felt out of reach, and graduate school seemed almost unimaginable. It was always a dream, but I wasn’t sure it was realistic. Through the Rutgers SCJ, I discovered opportunities and interests I never anticipated. I entered the program with a strong interest in law, public policy, and constitutional issues, but along the way I developed a genuine passion for research, data analysis, and spatial analysis. I never thought I would become excited about statistics, research projects, and public safety data, but I found myself drawn to understanding how data can be used to identify patterns, inform decision-making, and address real-world problems. That experience expanded my perspective on what a career in criminal justice could look like.

Q: How did your academic experience change your perspective?

This experience completely changed how I viewed myself and what I believed was possible for my future. I discovered a genuine love of learning. When I was younger, I was not the strongest student, but life experience has a way of changing you. Earning my degrees is an accomplishment I will always be proud of, but what truly transformed me was discovering interests and opportunities I never imagined for myself. Through my work with the Newark Public Safety Collaborative, I became involved in research, data verification, and spatial analysis projects that showed me a side of criminal justice I had never been exposed to before. I also had the opportunity to complete master’s certificates in Spatial Analysis for Public Safety and Financial Crimes and participate in a global symposium on financial crimes hosted by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Those experiences challenged me to think differently and pushed me far beyond my comfort zone. I realized I was not simply completing assignments. I was contributing to work that could help communities and inform public safety efforts. As a paralegal, I have always found meaning in helping people on an individual level. Through my academic and research experiences, I discovered another way to make a difference, and that was incredibly meaningful to me.

Q: Were there particular faculty members who had an impact on your experience?

It’s difficult to name just one faculty member because each of them contributed to my experience in a meaningful way. One of the things that stood out most about the School of Criminal Justice was how invested the faculty were in their students. They challenged us academically, but they also genuinely cared about us as people. Dr. Alejandro Giménez-Santana had a particularly significant impact on my journey. During one semester, my father was undergoing heart valve surgery on the same day I was scheduled to give a major presentation. I remember being at the hospital before dawn and then rushing to Newark to make it to class. The understanding and support I received during moments like that meant a great deal to me. Dr. Santana also gave me the opportunity to work with the Newark Public Safety Collaborative, which introduced me to data verification and analysis and ultimately helped shape my academic and professional interests. Professor Glenn Dinetz sparked my interest in white collar and financial crimes. His passion for the subject and ability to connect course material to real-world cases made the field both engaging and relevant. That interest eventually led me to become involved with the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and further explore the field. Dr. Kishani Udugampola helped deepen that interest and encouraged me to pursue research opportunities, which ultimately led to my participation in the Global Symposium on Financial Crime, Fraud and Artificial Intelligence, an experience that was both challenging and incredibly rewarding. Dr. Joel Miller and Dr. Nusret Sahin challenged me to think more critically, ask better questions, and examine issues from different perspectives. Their courses pushed me beyond simply learning information and helped me develop the analytical skills that have served me both academically and professionally. What I appreciate most is that the faculty never saw students as just names on a roster. They took the time to mentor, encourage, and support us. Their belief in their students made a lasting impact on me, and it is one of the things I will remember most about my time at Rutgers.

Q: What were some of the most meaningful learning experiences during your time in the program?

Research became one of the most meaningful parts of my experience. Through projects involving public safety, procedural justice, community corrections, reentry programs, and spatial analysis, I had the opportunity to explore issues from both a practical and research perspective. As a paralegal, I often compare my work to being a chef. After more than 30 years in the legal field, I know the recipe. I know what is required for a real estate transaction, litigation matter, or estate administration, and I know the steps needed to get from beginning to end. What my education gave me was the “why” I understood how to complete a task, but school helped me understand the reasoning behind it: the data, the historical context, the legal foundations, and the broader systems at work. That shift in perspective was incredibly meaningful. It changed the way I think about problems, approach research, and understand the world around me.

Q: How did returning to school as an adult shape your experience?

Returning to school as an adult shaped my experience in ways I never expected. Every semester helped build my confidence. For a long time, I carried self-doubt because, as I mentioned earlier, I struggled academically growing up. I was among the earliest students diagnosed with ADHD in the mid-1980s, when much less was understood about it. At the time, I often felt dismissed academically and was labeled a problem child. Unfortunately, I eventually began to believe those labels myself and acted accordingly. Coming back later in life was empowering because I returned with perspective, determination, and life experience. I also realized I wasn’t alone. I met many adult students who shared similar fears and doubts about returning to the classroom. Over time, I began to recognize that I was capable of far more than I had ever given myself credit for. Receiving the Director’s Award for Scholarly Achievement this year felt like the culmination of the past 6 years and reinforced that realization. It was one of those rare moments when I was able to stop, look back, and think, I did this.

Q: What are your goals moving forward?

Law school remains a long-term goal, but one of the most valuable things I gained from this experience is the realization that I am no longer limited to a single path. For a long time, I thought my story had already been written. Returning to school showed me that there are still entirely new chapters waiting to be created. My studies introduced me to interests and opportunities I never anticipated. Whether my future leads me to law school, a role in financial crime investigations, research, or another area altogether, I now have possibilities that I never imagined before. I also hope to find ways to give back, whether through public service, mentoring, or pro bono work that helps others navigate their own educational and professional journeys. At 50 years old, that’s a very exciting realization.

Q: What advice would you give to prospective students — especially adult learners?

Don’t assume it’s too late. Adult learners often underestimate what they bring to the classroom. Life experience matters. Professional experience matters. The skills you’ve developed through work, family, and life’s challenges can become some of your greatest strengths as a student. Returning to school later in life can feel intimidating, but it can also be incredibly empowering. Be willing to step outside your comfort zone and take advantage of opportunities that come your way. You may discover interests and strengths you never knew you had. For students considering criminal justice, keep an open mind. The field is much broader than many people realize, with opportunities in law, research, public policy, data analysis, financial crimes, community corrections, and countless other areas. What stands out most to me about Rutgers is the sense of community. Although it is a large university, the School of Criminal Justice feels much smaller. The faculty and students genuinely get to know one another, and the relationships you build can have a lasting impact long after graduation.