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An early fascination and respect for police officers led Shawn McEwen on the path to a career in criminal justice, possibly even as an FBI agent. Nearly 40 years after her first attempt at a degree in law enforcement, she’s finally reached that goal.

McEwen recently earned her Bachelor of Science from University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) with a double major in criminal justice and management studies. 

"I always admired the strength, dedication, and professionalism that women police officers and FBI agents bring to their roles,” she said. “Their commitment to justice and serving the community is truly inspiring.”

In 1988, McEwen started college with the hope of one day becoming an FBI agent. But marriage and a family compelled her to put that on hold. Fast forward 18 years. McEwen decided it was time to go back to school and finish her criminal justice degree. First, however, she wanted to support her husband, an accountant, in launching a business.  

“Prior to COVID, my husband, who was in a family accounting business for over 25 years, decided to venture out on his own to start a virtual accounting firm,” she said. 

With the IT skills she gained in telecommunications jobs years earlier, McEwan partnered with her husband to develop and manage the back-end technology that allows virtual clients to have their taxes prepared from anywhere, using an IRS-approved process. By 2019 their company was fully operational. Today they serve over 1,000 clients across the United States. 

With the business thriving and her four kids grown, McEwen decided it was a good time to advance both her business skills and the long-postponed degree in criminal justice. She has one checked off the list. She plans to continue her UMGC education by embarking on an MBA. 

“While I’m passionate about both fields, since I own and operate a successful accounting firm I am leaning toward pursuing an MBA because it would even further enhance my business skills and knowledge,” she said.  

McEwen’s journey was not completed overnight. It took several years with determination and consistency. “It's not going to be easy, but it can be done, especially with the flexibility that t �������� offers,” she said.  

Balancing a busy family and work life with school also taught McEwen the importance of carving out precious time for herself. “Prioritizing self-care allows you to stay focused and work consistently toward your goals,” she said. “Give yourself permission to dream bigger and pursue your passions.” 

The new member of UMGC’s Class of 2025 has always had a strong desire to teach and give back. She hopes that adding an MBA to her accomplishments will create an opportunity to become an adjunct professor at t ��������, where she could share her practical experience and insights with students interested in entrepreneurship and management.

“I believe sharing knowledge and experiences can empower others and create a ripple effect of positive change,” she said. “Teaching has been a way for me to contribute to my community and help others grow.”