Published:
From Military Life to College
After serving four years in the United States Marine Corps as a military police officer, Thomas Servantes Mayo was looking for a college that would support his transition from military life to higher education while helping him continue pursuing his long-term goal of working in law enforcement.
He enrolled at Black Hawk College in August 2024, just one month after completing his military service. As he adjusted to civilian life, he said the college’s support system made the transition much easier.
Starting a New Chapter
One of the first people who helped him was veteran coordinator Tom Reagan, who guided him through the enrollment process and helped him understand and use his GI Bill benefits.
“He helped me get signed up for classes and get everything situated,” he said. “That support really helped me when I was first getting out of the military.”
Building Confidence
While at Black Hawk College, one of the biggest challenges Thomas faced was confidence, especially with public speaking. Coming from a military environment, adjusting to college life and speaking in front of classmates took time.
“I was very introverted when I first came here,” he said. “You behave and communicate a certain way in the military, so adjusting to being a normal college student again was different.”
Through speech classes and classroom presentations, he gradually became more comfortable speaking in front of others. He said those experiences helped prepare him for a future career in law enforcement, where communication and interacting with people are essential every day.
Mentors and Opportunities
In addition to the support he received from Tom Reagan, several professors made a lasting impact on his experience at Black Hawk College. One professor in particular, Ewelina Bergert, encouraged and supported him throughout multiple business courses he completed during his time at the college.
He also gained valuable hands-on experience through an internship with a local police department. Although internships in the program are often completed at firms or businesses, his professor helped arrange an internship that aligned directly with his career goals.
For 16 weeks, he interned with a police department, gaining insight into the day-to-day responsibilities of law enforcement.
“That experience was really nice because it gave me real-world experience and helped me learn more about the field,” he said.
Looking Ahead
After graduation, he plans to continue his law enforcement career while also considering further education. Thanks to his remaining GI Bill benefits and the Illinois Veterans Grant, he still has several years of educational opportunities available to him.
Law enforcement has been his goal since high school. His original plan was to join the military, gain experience in military police work and eventually transition into civilian law enforcement — a path he is now actively pursuing.
Looking Back
Reflecting on his time at Black Hawk College, he said the experience helped him become more outgoing, confident and comfortable connecting with others.
His advice for future students is simple: Even if you are unsure about your future plans, Black Hawk College is a good place to start.
“Talk to the people here and use the resources available,” he said. “The advisors and staff can really help you figure out what you want to do.”
