Sullivan '77, Dir. of Secret Service, talks jobs with CJ students

Mark Sullivan '77, Director of the United States Secret Service, spoke with Professor Rizzo's criminal justice class on Tuesday.

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Saint Anselm graduate and Director of the United States Secret Service, Mark Sullivan '77, spoke to a room full of Criminal Justice majors on Tuesday as he visited the campus to discuss his role as director, and what job opportunities lie within one of the nation's top law enforcement agencies.

"I ended up being with the Secret Service because I met with those people who were in-charge of that organization when I was your age," Sullivan said. "I wanted to be a part of something that was bigger than myself."

Sullivan, who began his Secret Service career as a special agent assigned to the Detroit Field Office in 1983, received his first assignment to the Presidential Protective Division in 1991 where he protected Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton.

"I have a very rewarding career," Sullivan explained. "There is a ton of potential to make a huge difference. However, [my career] is very unnatural in that you are always putting someone else before yourself."

When asked about how his organization plans to protect the newly inaugurated Obama presidency, Sullivan explained that their mode of protection for every president is different and each new administration brings a different challenge.

"Everyone, every President, is going to have a different challenge and this administration is no different," Sullivan said. The historical nature of this election is not lost on us; I can tell you that the men and women of our organization are committed to protecting him, the president, and his family."

During his 20-minute presentation to the class, Sullivan expressed his admiration and gratefulness to Saint Anselm College.

"Whatever you do in life, you have to have a foundation," Sullivan said. "I think your foundation comes from family, it comes from friends and it comes from a college like Saint Anselm. This college gave me a great foundation; and gave me focus and structure. I will always be grateful to Saint Anselm College for that."

Sullivan was sworn in as the 22nd Director of the United States Secret Service on May 31, 2006. Throughout his 27 year career in federal law enforcement, Sullivan has been the recipient of numerous awards for superior performance. In 2005, Sullivan was awarded a Distinguished Presidential Rank Award.

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