TDCJ Employees Advance Education with Scholarship

Capt. William Wheat of the TDCJ Beto Academy.

Like Dr. George J. Beto, one of the founders of the College of Criminal Justice, Capt. William Wheat wants to be an agent of change for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ).

Wheat has been a student of the agency and the corrections field throughout his 10 year career with TDCJ, first on the Robertson Unit in Abilene and most recently as Captain at the Beto Academy in Region II in Palestine. In the fall, he will attend Sam Houston State University for the Master of Science in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management program on a scholarship to develop the research needed to improve safety for the public and to rehabilitate offenders before their release.

“It does mean a lot to me to get a scholarship from the people I work for,” said Wheat. “Although I had other opportunities, this is the route I wanted. I am a traditionalist. I wanted to go to Sam Houston because the offenders built the building and Dr. George J. Beto was one of its founders. He created the Windham School District. There is a close relationship between the College and TDCJ. There is a lot of history here.”

Capt. Angela Chevalier of the TDCJ Ramsey Academy. Wheat and Capt. Angela Chevalier of the Ramsey Academy in Region III in Rosharon were selected for the 2014 TDCJ/Correctional Management Institute of Texas scholarship for the intensive weekend program designed for working professionals in the field. Chevalier hopes to use the degree to teach the next generation of correctional leaders after her retirement.

Chevalier said she always wanted to work in the criminal justice field and, after graduating from Sam Houston State University with her undergraduate degree, she chose a career in corrections. She wanted to go back for a Master’s degree, but her schedule was too erratic. With a regular schedule at the training academy and funding, she can now pursue her dream. . . . Read more . . .