Owens Outstanding Criminal Justice Graduate Downes Overcomes Past Trauma
Sharon Downes lived a much different life than many of her peers at Owens Community College. Unfortunately, the struggles and loss didn’t stop when she entered college.
Thanks to the support system she found at Owens, she made it through. Downes not only graduated with her associate degree in Criminal Justice in spring 2025, she also received the program’s outstanding graduate honor.
Downes said she grew up on the wrong side of the criminal justice system while she struggled with substance abuse. Now four years clean, she came to Owens to pursue her dream of helping others who find themselves in similar situations.
In spring 2024, though, Downes’ thoughts were anywhere but graduation. Her friend and classmate tragically died. While it could have put her goals and plans at risk, instead, it gave her more motivation and clarity.
“It was almost derailing,” Downes said. “We had a plan, a dream of what we were going to do. I couldn’t give up. It would almost be in vain what we decided we were going to do.”
Downes also had her four children, ages thirteen and younger, looking up to her. She wanted to prove to herself and them that she could complete school and graduate.
While she pursues further educational goals, she wants to work as a victim’s advocate or corrections officer.
“I used to be on the other side of the spectrum,” Downes said. “Through my addiction, I experienced a lot on the darker side of the criminal justice system. Ultimately, my goal is to practice law.
“I’m a crime nut, too. I’m one of those people who obsesses about serial killers, watch ‘Criminal Minds.’ Criminal profiling is one of the coolest things that you can do.”
Downes took her Owens classes online, and while she admits that it was difficult at times and forced her to improve her time management skills, she credited adjunct instructor Stacy Unum and admissions advisor Nicole Nitschke with encouraging and supporting her every step of the way.
“I’ve had some really good experiences with the staff while being here,” Downes said. “If anyone is thinking about criminal justice, this is a good place to start. They’ve got really good people running the program and teaching the classes, people who have done it and have real-world experience.”
Next up for Downes is finishing her bachelor’s degree online with Franklin University and law school from there. Having a clear path to her dream is a wonderful feeling.
“It feels really good, especially coming from where I’ve come from,” Downes said. “I’ve lived a different life than most of my peers. I have a whole different perspective on a lot of the things we talked about and learned. I gave the young students just starting out in the world a big grasp that everything is not black-and-white. There’s a big gray area, and you have to dip yourself in it.”
Learn More About the Criminal Justice Transfer Pathway
Published May 2025