Alumni Highlights – Cliff Porter

Central highlights Criminal Justice Alumni Cliff Porter (CC’18). He is a Real Estate Agent, Business Owner, and Investor (eXp Realty, LLC and Porter4Properties of South Georgia LLC). Now retired, Cliff Porter was a Sergeant for the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office for 25 years.

At Central, we aspire to provide a very flexible platform to our online adult students.  How were you able to complete coursework, receive instruction, and complete all other program requirements while working a full-time job?

At the time I was obtaining my degree, I was supervising the Major Crimes Unit.  There were times I dictated term papers on my cell phone and then went back to revise, cite, etc. and clean up the paper.  With the flexibility of online education and books in PDF format, I simply used spare moments, lunch hours, and the like to accomplish the mission.  I was able to graduate Summa Cum Laude while working as a supervisor in homicide and major crimes, being a husband and father, and working a second job as an instructor.

How has your experience at Central prepared you for a more advanced career in law enforcement or other fields?

It was important for me to accomplish my personal goals for myself.  It was my desire, as well, to demonstrate to my son that collegiate studies had value and it was important to finish something.  I was the first person in my family’s known history to achieve an undergraduate degree.

In your current role, what would you communicate to prospective students about the joys and passions in your former field of criminal justice?

My career in law enforcement has proven invaluable in my current role as a business owner, investor, and realtor.  Managing people and difficult situations, staying calm in the face of difficulty, and resolving conflict are useful skills in all aspects of business and the private sector. I seek out former law enforcement as I build my team in the private world because they have been tested in the most difficult situations one might imagine, and they have seen it through.  My collegiate studies and Central helped in a number of ways as well.  Time management, writing skills, and critical thinking are all benefits of my education.  In addition, at one of the toughest times in my life when a young man I work with was shot and killed, Central stood by my side.  The college staff offered friendship, counseling, and understanding…which helped get me across the finish line with my degree in hand.

Provide us with a summary of your life and career.

I joined the military at 17 years of age with parental consent; eager to see the world.  I spent 8 years in the United States Army (Airborne), deployed and served during Desert Shield and Desert Storm.  I have been married to the love of my life for 30 years and we have a son who currently majors in business and is pursuing his real estate license as well.  After two enlistments, I applied for the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office for a Deputy Sheriff’s position.  During my career, I worked patrol, property crimes, sex crimes, major crimes, and traffic.  I supervised patrol, the FTO program, the forensic lab, the computer lab, patrol, traffic, and investigations.  I was elected to and served as the President of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 9 and helped to quadruple membership in our local lodge.  I taught and instructed for Dr. Steve Rhoads on the topics of Subconscious Communications, Detecting Danger, Leadership, and other various law enforcement related topics.  I have appeared on The Interrogators, America’s Most Wanted, and Dateline NBC.  I am a licensed Realtor with eXp Realty and enjoy recruiting and building my team and offering assistance to those who struggle to find just the right space.  I especially enjoy hunting for unique properties.  I picked Central because of its flexible scheduling, the downloadable books, straightforward pricing, and very importantly to me; they are a Christian college.

What would you say to prospective students who are interested in an advanced career in law enforcement and how would you communicate Central as a good fit?   

A career in law enforcement in today’s culture is an admirable choice.  Tomorrow’s law enforcement officer will face challenges of a political, social, and cultural nature that are unknown to me.  A quality education provides insight into the current trends, approaches, and challenges and helps nurture the critical thinking skills to succeed.  Basic writing skills are woefully lacking in law enforcement reporting and college graduates regularly excelled in this area distancing themselves from those competing for coveted positions.

In part, I selected Central because of their flexible scheduling, the downloadable books, straightforward pricing, and very importantly to me; they are a Christian college.  Life provides many struggles and it is through Christ alone that we overcome them.  The grace He has poured out for us is not only our salvation; but a living example of what we should strive for.

About Central Christian College of Kansas

Central Christian College of Kansas is a regionally accredited institution offering undergraduate and graduate-level programs. Central strives to offer Christ-centered education for the whole person – heart, mind, soul, and strength. Its history dates back to 1884, and it is located in the friendly town of McPherson, Kansas. Central is a strategically small college that offers over forty areas of residential study and a thriving online program for non-traditional students. To learn more about who Central is go to centralchristian.edu/about. Visit the Foundation of Central Christian College to see what projects and events are coming up.