U.S. Secret Service Visit a Hit with Student Leaders

November 7, 2018

Seven undergraduate students in the MSU School of Criminal Justice, who serve as student leaders of two of our student organizations, were recently afforded an exciting opportunity to gain insight into the U.S. Secret Service and the important role that they play. Steve McMahon, Resident Agent in Charge of the U.S. Secret Service Grand Rapids Field Office, orchestrated a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for these students to see first-hand the preparation that goes into the arrival of one of America’s most prominent political figures. Vice President Mike Pence traveled to Michigan on Monday, October 29th, flying into the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids. Agent McMahon and his team of Special Agents showed our students all the preparation that goes into such a visit, and the important collaboration that exists amongst the Secret Service and local and state Law Enforcement agencies. These students were able to interact with various Agents and Law Enforcement personnel, and ask them questions, and they then saw first-hand how this process works in real time. They were also very fortunate to have had the chance to meet Vice President Pence and others in his delegation. The students who attended said it was the highlight of their professional and educational careers thus far, and many are now planning to submit job applications to the Secret Service as they near graduation.

Agent McMahon graduated from Michigan State University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. He also earned an additional major in Political Science during his time at Michigan State. Agent McMahon is heavily engaged with the current students at his alma mater and is a fantastic resource for our aspiring future professionals. The School of Criminal Justice greatly appreciates Agent McMahon and his team for providing our students with such a unique and informative opportunity to learn more about the Secret Service and the important work that they do.