CCBC Alumnus, Criminal Justice Studies Certificate '22
College graduate Clifton pursued a CCBC Criminal Justice Studies Certificate to advance his public safety career.
Clifton Diaz comes from a family of law enforcement officers – his father, aunt, and uncle are all retired New York City Police officers – so he always knew he wanted to pursue a similar career path.
Diaz earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Virginia in 2012. After graduation, he worked as a Metro Transit Police officer in Washington, DC, and as a peace officer in New York City.
In 2020, he began taking classes at CCBC Essex, working toward his Criminal Justice Studies certificate. He received the 2022 AT&T Public Safety Scholarship, which provides much-needed financial support for police officers already in the field and newly graduated recruits seeking additional credits to obtain an associate degree and a promotion.
“I was honored to be an AT&T Public Safety Scholarship winner,” said Diaz. “This award has allowed me to focus on my classes and spend less time working.”
Diaz, who lives in Baltimore’s Park Heights neighborhood, is a volunteer EMS with the Abingdon Fire Company. He is also a Zumba instructor at Cahill Recreation Center.
“Watching the EMTs and how they help people when we are on the scene and assessing patients, that’s all important and goes hand-in-hand as a first responder,” said Diaz. “I really enjoy the support and comradery of the law enforcement community.”
Having studied at both a four-year college and a community college, Diaz wants everyone to know that they should give community college a chance. That’s one of the reasons he wanted to become one of CCBC’s Fresh Faces student ambassadors.
“The education at CCBC is top-notch,” said Diaz, who is also a member of CCBC’s Male Student Success Initiative.
The faculty are receptive and helpful, and online classes are convenient and work with my schedule.
After earning his certificate at CCBC, Diaz plans to enroll in the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute of the University of Maryland, the state's training and education system for all-hazard responses. His ultimate goal is to become a flight paramedic for the Maryland State Police.