By Laura Fitzgerald
Masen Joppich, a 2022 graduate of Yale High School and recent St. Clair County Community College (SC4) graduate, is one step closer to a career in law enforcement thanks to support from the Community Foundation’s life needs scholarship fund. After earning his associate degree in criminal justice, Masen was accepted into the Oakland Community College Police Academy, where he will graduate this fall. The scholarship helped him cover the upfront costs of the academy—including uniforms, boots, and essential gear.
Masen is currently in the hiring process with the St. Clair County Sheriff Department and hopes to begin serving his community immediately after graduation. A proud Blue Water Area native, he’s committed to building trust between law enforcement and the public.
“I want to show the public that law enforcement is here to serve and protect them,” he said. “And I want to see officers more involved in community events.”
Masen credits his Criminal Justice 101 professor for sparking his interest in the field, and he’s motivated to rise through the ranks while staying close to home. “Why would I go elsewhere when there are so many opportunities in the Blue Water Area?” he added.
His mother, Heidi Joppich, said the scholarship came at the perfect time. “It took a huge burden off Masen and our family,” she said. “Between his training schedule and coaching high school sports, he didn’t have the time to work another job. This support made all the difference.”
The Community Foundation’s life needs fund can be used to help students cover financial barriers that fall outside traditional tuition, like rent, groceries, transportation, emergency expenses, and more. This kind of flexible support is vital, as many students encounter financial challenges and systemic barriers that can derail their progress toward a degree or certification.
“We were fortunate to support Masen as he earned his degree at SC4, and we were thrilled when he was accepted into the police academy,” said Jessica Flann, Post-Secondary Success Program Officer. “Following him into this next phase of his journey has been a privilege. This kind of support, meeting students where they are, is what keeps promising futures on track.”
Gifts to the Community Foundation make this work possible. To help more students like Masen overcome barriers and achieve their goals, visit stclairfoundation.org/give or contact Jackie Hanton at jackie@stclairfoundation.org.