Jordan Wiedman came to PennWest California with a clear sense of purpose: This was a mission he was determined to complete.

“The best way I could describe it for me this is a zero-fail mission,” he said. “I don't have the option to fail.”

Before he came to PennWest California, Jordan had already taken a different route from many of his classmates. After high school, he joined the Marine Corps Reserve before beginning college. He arrived with discipline, ambition and a clear understanding that success would require commitment.

“I do have a story to tell,” he said, “My path is a little bit of a unique one that is worth sharing.”

A Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice student with a concentration in Criminology, already pursuing a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and Criminology with a concentration in Behavioral Crime Analysis, Jordan found direction through faculty who helped him see what was possible. In Dr. Warnick’s criminal law class, he discovered a deeper interest in law.

“I discovered that this could be something I could really pursue and dive deeper into,” he said.

Dr. Paul Klenowski then helped open another door by giving Jordan the opportunity to participate in independent research and present at the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences national convention. Jordan calls that experience “a springboard for the rest of my career.”

His growth also extended to Division II athletics. Jordan said he was not a standout academic student or athlete coming out of high school, but PennWest California changed that.

“Given the correct environment to be in, I've had the opportunity to just grow and grow,” he said.

His efforts were recognized through honors including the PSAC All-Academic Team and the PSAC Champion Scholar Athlete Award.

Those achievements reflect the people around Jordan. He said his commencement message is “not really one of personal achievement but of transformation.He credits faculty, coaches and peers with shaping who he has become.

“I'm the product of the people I've been surrounded with for the past three years here,” he said.

That is also what he hopes his story can offer others. Rather than simply pointing to his own accomplishments, Jordan wants classmates and future students to see the role that environment, support and personal responsibility can play in their own growth.

“I want the class to recognize that if they put themselves in a similar environment, with a support system like the one I’ve had, they can experience similar success as well.” he said.

After graduation, Jordan will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps as a contracted judge advocate before attending Liberty Law School. PennWest gave him a place to apply his discipline, discover his direction and grow into the future he is ready to serve.