Behind the Badge

There are times that the badge feels heavier than it did at the beginning of his career for Sergeant Quintin Collins ’05, MBA. Still, he remembers why he loves the community he serves and wears his badge as an illustration of his honor and duty.

“I do this job so people can understand that there are many different walks of life, and someone has to protect and serve,” said Collins. “I am a community-oriented police officer and believe in 100 percent community policing. My faith is strong, and I keep pushing.”

Collins is a true testament that marrying core values and a career is a secret to fulfillment. His journey to success began to take shape on “the hill,” where earning his education opened his eyes to a whole new world of what it means to protect and serve.

The Charleston, S.C., native was a part of UPIKE’s first football team, the Elite Nine, which included Jerry Anderson ’05, Larry Forester ’05, Justin Gordon ’05, Antwan Brown ’05, Hank Mullins ’05, Michael Sheppard ’05, Derek ‘Big Show’ Silas ’05 and Joe Spears ’05. The scholar-athletes brought different cultures and lifestyles to the team and were leaders on and off the field, helping the new program grow and keeping each other grounded.

“Quintin has always been a leader and wanted to do the honorable thing,” said Sheppard. “He has never hesitated to help anyone at any time. I am so proud of his courage and dedication, and I am proud to call him a friend.”

Pursuing his athletic passion was important, but Collins had a gut feeling that the university would provide something else — something intangible, yet valuable.

“UPIKE had the small environment and relationships I knew would keep me accountable for my actions and help me grow as a person,” said Collins.

His instinct was right. Throughout his academic career, he found the people at the university were friendly and the relationships he formed were priceless. He was diligent in serving as the Student Government Association vice president, resident assistant and member of UPIKE’s Academic and Cultural Enrichment (ACE) program and the Professional Education Preparation Program, allowing him to travel to new places and experience meeting new people.

“Quintin exudes confidence and character in every aspect of his life. He is a remarkable individual who has met every challenge in life with dignity, humor and grace. He provided an invaluable perspective to the peer mentor program during its inaugural year and remains a valued and respected alum of the ACE program,” said ACE Program Director Cecil Williams Jr., MSW, CSW, CFSW. “Quintin is family and we still rely on him to provide insight and share his life experiences with our current students. He is one of the ACE Program’s shining stars!”

One of the most influential people Collins met while at UPIKE was Executive Assistant to the President Sherrie Marrs.

“The most cherished memory I have of Quintin is watching him walk across the stage during graduation,” said Marrs. “I knew he would do great in his chosen field because he has great leadership skills, is a forward-thinker, and is dedicated and committed to whatever he puts his hand to do.”

Relationships outside the classroom were meaningful, but his professors sparked a pivotal change in his path, leading Collins to declare his major as criminal justice with a minor in sociology, which helped lay the foundation for what has become a rewarding career.

“It didn’t take me long to decide that pursuing a career in law enforcement was one that I was excited to begin. My senior year, I had the opportunity to complete an internship at the North Myrtle Beach, S.C., police department,” said Collins. “Once I graduated, there was a job waiting for me working as an officer and a fireman and that served as a stepping stone to where I am now.”

Collins later went on to earn his master’s in business administration with a concentration in marketing and branding from Strayer University. He always knew he wanted a career that would allow him to help others and saw law enforcement as a profession that would provide endless opportunities for experiences while allowing him to serve his community.

“I knew that pursuing my master’s degree would provide me with further insight and help lead me through challenging times and whatever future challenges may occur,” said Collins.

In 2008, Collins began serving as an officer for the Charleston Police Department and was promoted to sergeant in July 2021. He has worked for his community for 15 years in a role he claims to be one of his greatest accomplishments and a position he says he found himself in because of his focused guidance during his undergraduate experience at UPIKE.

“Every day is a challenge. Society is subjected to many different thought processes and mindsets that are good and bad when it comes to law enforcement,” said Collins, “especially for me being a Black officer in the community I work in and being scrutinized for what I do.”

Collins is a devoted father of two children and his passion for life is fueled by the quote, “why settle for less when you can have the best.” He aspires to continue to grow personally and professionally, and never forget where he came from and who helped him along the way.

“Attending UPIKE gave me an appreciation for education. I was hooked from the beginning and knew I could take what I had learned and make a difference in the world,” said Collins. “I have learned a lot about life serving in this role, and sometimes you have to let life play out. You have to take it one day at a time. The best way to change something is to not complain about it, but become part of it and create the change yourself.”

By Stacey Walters