David Ishida’s journey to earning his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Sacramento State’s College of Continuing Education (CCE) is a testament to resilience, curiosity, and the value of lifelong learning.

After first enrolling at Sacramento State in 1980, David’s educational path was put on pause as he relocated to the Bay Area for a career at FedEx. Over the course of 43 years, he built a successful professional life. Now, with retirement behind him and his children grown, David is returning to a goal he set decades ago: completing his degree.

“I need to finish the work,” he says, with quiet determination.

David is enrolled in the fully online, accelerated Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program offered through a partnership between the College of Continuing Education and the College of Health and Human Services at Sacramento State. Designed for transfer students, the program expands access to a comprehensive education in criminal justice and public safety. For David, the flexibility of the online format and the support of the CCE advisory staff made all the difference.

“I am truly indebted to the CCE advisory staff,” David says. “They were always available to provide swift and accurate answers to all of my concerns. They made my progression through this program a trouble-free and efficient process from start to finish.”

David’s interest in criminal justice stems from a deep appreciation for the structure and fairness it strives to uphold. “Criminal justice represents the most visible efforts of our nation’s society to enact and enforce its laws and maintain order,” he explains. “It reflects our attempt, as a democratic society, to apply, fairly, on everyone, the laws of our society.”

One of the highlights of his experience in the program was learning from instructors with real-world experience in criminal justice. “Because of their experiences, they were better able to provide me with information and examples that were based on reality, not just recitations from a textbook.”

Though now retired, David’s passion for learning and service remains strong. He is not only completing his degree—he’s also planning his next great adventure: visiting every national park and Major League Baseball stadium with his wife.

David Ishida’s story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to pursue your goals. Whether you’re just starting your criminal justice journey or returning to finish what you started, Sacramento State’s College of Continuing Education is here to support you, every step of the way.