Sydney Powers came to O’Neill to build on a foundation in criminal justice. She already had a bachelor’s degree in criminology and criminal justice and a double minor in forensic investigation and law enforcement and evidence. But she wanted more.
“I recognized just how deeply rooted my passion for criminal justice and public service truly was,” she recalls. “Throughout my academic journey, I’ve been consistently drawn to the intersection of justice, policy, and public service.”
That’s when she started looking at graduate schools. She came to O’Neill to explore its Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Public Safety degree program and says it felt like home from the moment she visited. She says the sense of community was immediate.
“Deciding where to pursue a graduate degree is a big decision, and the O’Neill admissions team—especially Debbie Koliba—went above and beyond to make me feel supported, informed, and confident about taking that next step,” she says. “At other schools I visited, I sometimes felt like just another number on a list, but my experience with O’Neill was the complete opposite. The care, intentionality, and personal attention I received reassured me that this was a place where I would be seen, supported, and set up to thrive.”
And thrive she has. Not only will Powers receive O’Neill’s Outstanding Student Award for the Master of Science Criminal Justice and Public Safety program, she also was named a recipient of IU Indianapolis’ Sherry Queener Graduate Student Excellence Award.
Powers says she was stunned when she received an email notifying her she had been selected for the Queener Award. The decision is based on a student’s academic achievements, cocurricular activities, and plans for after they complete their degrees. The email highlighted her accomplishments and growth as a student, something she says was validating for her work.
“Receiving this award is an incredible honor—it means more than I can fully express,” she says. “I’ve poured a great deal of time and energy into this program and I’m incredibly fortunate to have a strong and unwavering support system behind me. In many ways, my accomplishments are shared with those who have lifted me up along the way.”
That support network includes her faith, family, and the O’Neill School community. Powers points specifically to the mentorship and experiences provided by Assistant Professor Courtney Page-Tan.
“She consistently, and in the best way, pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me focus on what truly mattered,” Powers says. “Her guidance played a major role in my growth, and I’ll always be grateful for that.”
She says one of her most memorable experiences at O’Neill was when she and Dr. Page-Tan presented their research at the 2025 Southern Political Science Association meeting in New Orleans.
“It was not only my first academic conference, but also one of my first solo travel experiences,” she recalls. “The entire trip was a whirlwind of nerves, growth, and inspiration, and it left me with a deep appreciation for the academic community and a newfound respect for the work researchers do behind the scenes.”
She says the ability to build relationships with other researchers, faculty, and students is just one of the many benefits she found during her time at O’Neill, and one she knows will last as she pursues plans of law school and a career centered around justice and advocacy.
“The connections I’ve made and the lessons I’ve learned from such exceptional educators will stay with me long after I leave,” she says. “Working in the criminal justice field gives me the opportunity to make a real, tangible difference in people’s lives, leveraging my education and experiences to support and advance causes I deeply care about.”
