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Lindsey Wilson University Announces Partnership with McCracken County Sheriff's Department

by Venus Popplewell

Columbia, KY (05/26/2026) — Lindsey Wilson University and the McCracken County Sheriff's Department announced a partnership to broaden access to educational opportunities for employees of the sheriff's department.

The partnership agreement was signed on May 15 at the McCracken County Sheriff's Department. The agreement makes full-time and part-time employees of the sheriff's department and their immediate family members eligible to receive scholarship opportunities through Lindsey Wilson.

The scholarship will be available to students enrolled in Lindsey Wilson bachelor's programs in business administration, communication, criminal justice, human services and counseling, and nursing. It will also apply to the university's graduate programs in business administration, counseling, cybersecurity management, data science and technology management, as well as the university's doctoral program in counselor education and supervision. The academic programs in LWU Educational Outreach are offered in traditional, online and hybrid formats.

The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to service, education and strengthening communities throughout the Commonwealth.

"Law enforcement is hard enough on families already, so I think it is wonderful that Lindsey Wilson University is willing to extend this opportunity to families as well," said McCracken County Sheriff Ryan Norman. "Education opportunities are always important in my mind. Any time people can further their education, it is a positive thing. If, as a law enforcement agency, we can help promote education within families, I see that as a true win."

Hannah Coyt, partnership liaison and Lindsey Wilson assistant director of graduate counseling programs, emphasized the broader impact educational access can have on first responders and their families.

"My number one goal is decreasing suicide among law enforcement," Coyt said. "I think everything we can do to support officers and their families, during their careers and after retirement, is meaningful. Whether retirement comes early or right on time, helping create opportunities and support systems for those families is truly where my heart is."

Coyt also highlighted the financial support available through the partnership.

"Lindsey Wilson University already offers scholarship opportunities for first responders and their dependents," she said. "Through this organizational partnership, additional scholarship support is available. Any time you can help reduce the financial burden of education, it matters."

Assistant Vice President for Education Outreach Tommie Saragas noted the partnership aligns with the university's mission of building meaningful relationships throughout the communities it serves.

"As we continue to grow our outreach at Lindsey Wilson University, we are dedicated to building genuine and collaborative relationships with agencies across those communities, especially with the individuals who put their lives on the line every day to protect the rest of us," Saragas said. "We also recognize the sacrifices made by their families, who give so much in support of that service. Lindsey Wilson University has a genuine desire to give back, and that commitment is reflected throughout the institution."

Saragas also recognized Crown for helping facilitate the partnership.

"I also want to recognize LWU alum Lainey Crown, who served as the liaison for this connection," Saragas said. "She worked alongside Dr. Hannah Coyt and Sheriff Norman to help bring our two organizations together around a shared mission of service, support and educational opportunity."

Lindsey Wilson University is a vibrant liberal arts university in Columbia, Kentucky. Founded in 1903 and affiliated with The United Methodist Church, the mission of Lindsey Wilson is to serve the educational needs of students by providing a living-learning environment within an atmosphere of active caring and Christian concern where every student, every day, learns and grows and feels like a real human being. Lindsey Wilson offers 30 undergraduate majors, five graduate programs and a doctoral program. The university's 29 intercollegiate varsity athletic teams have won more than 120 team and individual national championships.

Media Attachments

Standing, from left: LWU Assistant Vice President for Educational Outreach Tommie Saragas; School of Professional Counseling Alumna Lainey Crown ’22; Regional Enrollment Director Cheryl Boger; and Enrollment Coordinator Sadie Miller. Sitting, from left: Assistant Director of Graduate Counseling Hannah Coyt and McCracken County Sheriff Ryan Norman.

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