Douglas Moore II has made a name for himself on the campus of Jackson State University.
The Jackson, Miss., native graduated on May 3 with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice at age 19.
Moore entered the university in the summer of 2011 at age 16 as a member of JSU’s Summer Bridge program with a dream of becoming a law enforcement professional.He finished his degree in just three years, a feat that isn’t commonly achieved.
“Pushing myself was my biggest challenge,” Moore said. “I knew what I wanted.”
Moore is well on his way as he will enter graduate school this fall at JSU. He is pursuing a master’s in Criminal Justice.
“I’m not old enough to work in law enforcement yet and I’m trying to make myself competitive in the job market,” Moore said.
Most law enforcement agencies require applicants to be at least 21 years of age.
After finishing graduate school, Moore plans to move to Texas and begin his law enforcement career while working toward either a Ph.D. or J.D. His ultimate goal is to work for a federal law enforcement agency.
“I either want to work for the FBI, Secret Service or maybe the U.S. Marshal Service,” Moore said. “I want to do law enforcement because I consider myself a leader. I also like to help people. I feel like law enforcement is something that I would enjoy doing for a long time.”
Moore feels prepared for the road ahead and he attributes his preparation to Jackson State University.
“The criminal justice professors are there for you,” he said. “They help you out. Overall it’s great department.”
Moore always knew he wanted to go to JSU and he said it turned out to be a great fit for him.
“Both of my parents went to JSU,” Moore said. “Growing up in Jackson, JSU is all I knew. This is the only school I applied to. I knew this is where I wanted to come.”
While he was an undergraduate student, Moore served as associate chief justice for the Student Government Association and as a member of the Pre-Alumni Council.
Moore specifically thanks his parents, Douglas and Rosezitta Moore, and his family and friends. He also credited JSU staff, professors and administrators including LaTonya Robinson-Kanonu, Josie Latham, David Atkins, Dr. Gary B. Crosby, Dr. Phillip “Flapp” Crockrell, Laquala M. Coleman, Dr. Verna R. Taylor, Kevin Lavine, Dr. Johnnie Griffin and Timothy Abrams. He said all of these people aided him throughout his undergraduate career.