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Meet Jordan Barge — one of the many RVCC graduates who went on to transfer to an impressive four-year college upon receiving an associate degree from RVCC.

After graduating from RVCC in December 2023 as an Honors College student and criminal justice major, Jordan transferred to John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where she is majoring in International Criminal Justice. 
 

“I was the first in my family to go to college,” says Jordan, who worked almost full-time during school to help take care of her family and pay bills. “My decision to pursue a career in law enforcement stems from earlier interactions with the criminal justice system, which fueled my desire to serve as representation for Latinas everywhere. I refused to let statistics define me.”
 

Jordan identified the FBI as the ideal platform that aligned with her values and commitment to integrity and justice. “Becoming a special agent isn't just a career choice; it's a calling to break down barriers, challenge perceptions, and demonstrate that individuals from all backgrounds can excel and contribute meaningfully to society,” she says. 
 

“I think it’s important as a first-generation college student to find your support group and mentors, as they are the people who will remind you of the goals you came in with,” says Jordan. “Without RVCC and the mentors I met there, I wouldn’t have been able to transfer to one of the best colleges in the country for criminal justice,” she says. “I think I had the best experience I could possibly get out of community college.”

Among her many accomplishments at RVCC, Jordan served as President of the Criminal Justice Club and Vice President Coordinator for the Orgullo Latino Club—and was named the 2022-2023 recipient of the Raritan Valley Community College Service Learning Leadership Award. She also received the President’s Volunteer Service Gold Award from the White House.  

Jordan’s future plans include attending the Special Law Enforcement Officer 1 Academy in May and interning in Fall 2024 with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Once she earns her bachelor’s degree from John Jay, Jordan hopes to work for a federal agency in an entry-level position—whether that be as an operational technician or as an entry-level agent. 

Her eventual aspiration? To become a special agent for the FBI who drives justice on a national level. She also hopes to go to law school one day, and perhaps become a

director of a federal agency.

Jordan’s advice to aspiring criminal justice students: “Don’t narrow your focus too much because then you may miss out on all the opportunities out there. It’s OK to have an end goal but remember there are different routes to get there. Everything will fall into place with hard work, resilience, and motivation.”

Criminal Justice Studies at RVCC

If you, too, are interested in a criminal justice career, you may be thinking: What can you do with a criminal justice major? Possible career paths include police officer, corrections officer, forensic accounting, forensic science, financial crimes, cyber-security, and more.

Whether you want to learn how to become an FBI agent or are interested in the legal field, check out RVCC’s career pathway in paralegal & criminal justice studies. Earn an Associate of Science degree in criminal justice, or start a legal-focused career with a certificate or A.A.S degree in paralegal studies.

Become the Next RVCC Success Story!

Want to know the best way to learn more about RVCC?  Join us to explore our programs and classes, tour the campus, discover financial aid options, and learn how to transfer to four-year schools for the next step of your education journey.  Register for a Information Session and Tour today!

About RVCC

Have you been researching “community colleges near me?” The search is over! Raritan Valley Community College is ranked the #1 community college in New Jersey by WalletHub.com and Intelligent.com. Conveniently located for students in Somerset County and Hunterdon County, NJ, RVCC offers more than 90 high-quality programs, including associate degree programs and professional certification opportunities across a variety of fields. For further information on RVCC, visit www.raritanval.edu