When it comes to the county he has always called home, Mateo Sanchez is proud to be Orange through and through. But he always envisioned his future in a shade of blue.
“I wanted to go into law enforcement at a very young age,” reflects the Irvine Valley College student. “I knew after high school that was what I wanted to do.”
Committed to a career serving his community, Sanchez was relieved to find the best path to the badge right in his backyard. As soon as the ink was dry on his high school diploma, the Orange County native enrolled at IVC, choosing the Administration of Justice program to jumpstart his law enforcement future.
Today, Sanchez is cruising – in his career and in the classroom. Among other successes, he serves as president of the AOJ co-curricular club XTE Chi Tau Epsilon and as a member of the American Criminal Justice Association, Lambda Alpha Epsilon. All the while, Sanchez is gaining hands-on experience — and even a paycheck — while working as a police cadet for the Fullerton Police Department.
“That role has been super helpful for me,” explains Sanchez. “To have that position and be able to still go to college and still have my foot in the door … I think that’s something some schools are not able to do.
“That’s why Irvine Valley College has a really good AOJ program.”
The Administration of Justice program’s curriculum explores the ins and outs of the American criminal justice system while preparing students for high-ceiling careers within corrections, law enforcement, probation and parole, supervision and administration, private security and legal services. Students like Sanchez can expect to command salaries upwards of $77,000 annually in California once they complete their degree.
Demand is surging right alongside salaries. With the law enforcement workforce growing at a 5 percent pace, local agencies continue to value the highly skilled graduates of Irvine Valley College. It’s a well-earned confidence, as IVC’s program is both accredited by the California State Commission of Peace Officers Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) and recognized as one of the top criminal justice programs in the nation by the American Criminal Justice Association.
“The department as a whole has great professors and gives ways for students to be able to achieve more,” assures Sanchez.
In balancing his position at the Fullerton Police Department with his leadership roles at Irvine Valley College, the unstoppable student is driving toward his destiny, Meanwhile, he’s setting an example for other future difference-makers in his department. According to IVC instructor and AOJ Department Chair Luis Gutierrez, Sanchez’s leadership skills are what really set him apart within the program.
“Mateo was able to refine those skills while attending IVC. And specifically, as president of the Administration of Justice co-curricular club,” says the proud instructor, referencing XTE Chi Tau Epsilon, an association that provides a platform for Sanchez to collaborate with and provide leadership for his cohorts. With his help, fellow club members are building stronger connections to the department, the communities of Orange County, and career opportunities in criminal justice.
“Mateo leads by example, volunteering his time for our campus community and selflessly assisting fellow club members,” says Gutierrez.
Bearing a comprehensive curriculum and knowledgeable faculty, the Administration of Justice department at IVC provides a proven pathway for law enforcement careers. Once students graduate with either a degree or certificate, they can enter the local workforce or move forward with transfer opportunities in the CSU system. From there, they’re ready to earn an advanced degree, opening doors to high-paying careers as federal agents, police administrators, police instructors, corrections administrators and more.
For Sanchez, the sky is the limit. Upon completing the AOJ program at IVC in 2024, he plans to transfer to California State University, Fullerton. As for his ultimate career goal, the locked-in Laser says he’s hoping to enter a law enforcement field focusing on gangs and narcotics. His specific career inspiration? A course at Irvine Valley College called “Organized Crime and Criminal Enterprises in America.”
“I really liked ‘Gangs and Criminal Enterprise[s],” reflects Sanchez. “That class really struck my attention because I really like that kind of stuff.”
As Sanchez continues to lead in the IVC community and serve in his role as a police cadet, Gutierrez says he’s excited to see what’s next for his student.
“Mateo has a bright future in the criminal justice field, and I look forward to hearing about his successes.”
Learn more about IVC’s Administration of Justice Department.