Cadet Blake Rus, Waubonsee Alumnus
This September, Cadet Blake Rus, of Elburn, will say goodbye to the end of his chapter as a Waubonsee Community College Police Cadet with a deep fondness. The proud young alumnus reflects on his time at Waubonsee as invaluable to developing his character and finding his purpose in life.
“When I arrived at Waubonsee, my confidence was almost non-existent—I had no direction or guidance. I anxiously thought everyone else knew better than me, but after getting this job as a cadet, I can now talk to anyone,” said Rus. “I’m more confident than ever, and I now have the skills it takes to enter law enforcement.”
For Rus, earning an Associate of Arts as a Transfer Degree Pathway into the field of Criminal Justice was just what he had been searching for but hadn’t discovered yet. The Kaneland High School graduate initially thought he wanted to become a chiropractor. However, after falling behind in biology and human anatomy classes during his first semester at Waubonsee, Rus accepted that the medical field was not for him.
“I was on academic probation and would have lost my financial aid, and potentially dropped out,” says Rus. “I feel everyone goes through that bump in the road where they feel like they can’t do it—but thankfully, at Waubonsee, I was able to find the support system that pulled me up.”
Desperate for direction, Rus made an appointment to speak to his academic advisor, who encouraged him to consider studying something that had always interested him. “They showed me who I could become and where to go,” says Rus.
A few weeks earlier, Rus remembered reading a story about a student in Waubonsee’s Police Cadet Program who had found great personal and professional success. With no background in criminal justice, Rus wondered if he had a chance.
“I interviewed for Waubonsee’s Police Cadet Program, and I didn’t get it the first time. This disappointed me, but in the long run, it gave me an extra year to switch my major and begin learning about criminal justice,” says Rus.
A year later, Rus interviewed again and got the position. Rus began his first day as a Waubonsee Police Cadet in April 2021.
As a Waubonsee Police Cadet, Rus has had the opportunity to receive hands-on experience that full-time police officers experience daily. Rus has issued citations, learned how to properly handle firearms, collect evidence, conduct investigations and sobriety tests, write crash and accident reports, and conduct front-desk duties.
Rus says, “The biggest ‘aha moment’ for me was seeing the connection between learning about the jobs officers do in the field and doing what my instructors were talking about -- it made me understand what it was like to be a police officer.”
In one instance, Rus had the opportunity to assist a full-time Waubonsee Police Officer with an investigation by doing campus patrols and reviewing the campus security systems.
Waubonsee Police Cadets help full-time sworn officers secure campus locations in a variety of ways. While cadets generally handle the more basic jobs on campus, such as unlocking doors or helping give battery jumps or tire inflations, they must be ready to respond when called upon by the full-time sworn officers.
On June 17, Rus reported to work and thought it would be an ordinary day until he received a call he will never forget. In coordination with the Sugar Grove Police and Illinois State Police, Rus received directions to assist in traffic control for the United States Vice President Kamala Harris.
Rus participated in blocking off the intersection of Route 47 and Cross Street. He watched in amazement as Secret Service and Illinois State Police vehicles drove past him. “I had a pure adrenaline rush until we had received the ’all clear,’” said Rus.
“This job has taught me real-world skills. I now understand what it takes to be a police officer because I’ve received training in investigative and observation skills and have learned how to identify when there are suspicious individuals or activities,” said Rus.
Through ongoing monthly trainings offered by senior police officers, the cadets learn how to write reports, fire weapons at the range, and even get the opportunity to tour local corrections facilities.
While Rus graduated from Waubonsee in December of 2021, he took advantage of the affordable tuition Waubonsee offers to finish additional spring classes while working as a cadet. During this time, Rus also enrolled in DePaul University’s Criminology Program. Thanks to Waubonsee’s 2+2 Program, Rus has successfully transferred up to 66 semester hours into DePaul University and will graduate in June 2023 with a bachelor’s degree.
Upon earning his bachelor’s degree, Rus aspires to continue his education to advance in law enforcement or in the military. “Thanks to my experience at Waubonsee and the Waubonsee Police Cadet Program, I am no longer aimless. I have goals in mind, and I’m well on my way to achieving them,” said Rus.
Waubonsee’s Police Cadet Program offers Waubonsee students the opportunity to get paid while earning experience in law enforcement. This unique on-campus experience provides mentorship, networking, and skills needed in the field of criminal justice. Interested students can learn more at waubonsee.edu/safety.
