Jonathan Bruestle didn’t come to SUNY Sullivan with a perfectly mapped-out plan. He came looking for a better fit and recently graduated with high honors, a clear transfer path, and a stronger sense of where criminal justice could take him.
“I chose SUNY Sullivan because I wanted to feel more connected to the professors,” said Jonathan. 鈥淵ou feel like professors are focused on you more. It鈥檚 not as much of a competition.鈥�
A Campus That Won Him Over
Jonathan had never been to the College before orientation. He wasn’t sure what to expect. That changed quickly.
I went to orientation and I loved the campus,” he said. “The professors were great. From the very first moment, it was just an all-around great experience.”
Jonathan also appreciated the flexibility SUNY Sullivan gave him. He said he had no trouble building a class schedule that worked alongside his job, another part of the college experience that made SUNY Sullivan feel manageable and personal.
Professors Who Open Doors
The classroom experience has been anything but ordinary. Associate Professor Jason Kaplan and Associate Professor Robert Eiler brought real-world criminal justice to life, including trips to the County Supreme Court and the 911 Emergency Center, a corrections officer presentation and a visit from a canine unit, all of which expanded Jonathan鈥檚 sense of what a career in law enforcement could look like.
For Jonathan, hearing directly from working professionals helped him see the field from more than one perspective, something he said is hard to get from classroom instruction alone.
“It kind of opened up my thoughts to what I could do,” Jonathan said. “There’s a wide range of options. It’s not just being a cop.”
He also has a police ride-along scheduled, an experience he’s eagerly anticipating, and one he hopes future students will have access to even earlier in their experience at SUNY Sullivan.
The Promise Scholarship Changed What Was Possible
When it came time to think about transfer options, the Sullivan County Promise Scholarship gave Jonathan the financial flexibility to aim higher than he originally thought possible.
“The Promise Scholarship allowed me to pick the college I actually wanted to go to,” he said. “It allowed me to save a lot of money, so instead of defaulting to a safer option, I thought, you know what, I’ll take the chance on John Jay.”
That chance paid off. Jonathan was accepted to the renowned John Jay College of Criminal Justice and later earned a spot in its more competitive online program, which will accept all of his SUNY Sullivan transfer credits.
He leaves SUNY Sullivan not only with a strong academic record, but with a clearer vision for what comes next.
What’s Next
Jonathan is heading into his next chapter with the state police exam on his radar, a transfer path to John Jay, and a broader sense of the opportunities available in criminal justice.
鈥淕ive it a chance,鈥� he said, for anyone on the fence about SUNY Sullivan. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 expect it until you actually get on campus. And then you get here, and it鈥檚 its own unique, positive experience.鈥�
Learn More About Sullivan Promise Scholarship
If you’re a recent high school graduate or GED recipient (2022-present), you may be eligible to attend SUNY Sullivan with free tuition and fees for up to two years through our Sullivan Promise Scholarship.
Visit sunysullivan.edu/sullivan-promise-scholarship/ to learn more and apply today.