“Success is about dedication. You may not be where you want to be or do what you want to when you’re on the journey, but you’ve got to be willing to have vision and foresight that leads you to an incredible end.”
Usher Raymond
“I’ve always been determined to be someone great,” Grand Valley State University (GVSU) senior Courtney Madison stated, “But there’s also another part of me that’s extremely focused, driven, passionate.” Dedication is the love child of determination and passion; two things Madison has plenty of.
Madison believes someone with dedication is, “A person who is driven, focused and whose main goal is to achieve everything they have ever wished for.” She is dedicated to becoming a successful woman. To her, success includes achieving a healthy relationship with God, becoming a source of love and solace for her future family and making an impact on those around her through her career.
“A successful woman is an accomplished woman,” Madison expressed. “She doesn’t need or look for validation from anyone else.”
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Courtney’s dedication encompasses a form of assisting others many don’t think of. Since a young age, she has wanted to work as a detective for the FBI. By handling cases involving domestic abuse, murder, sexual assault and other forms of trauma, she hopes to become the catalyst for the affected families’ healing process. “Everyone deserves justice, or at least an answer for what happened to their loved ones,” Madison explained.
Madison currently studies Criminal Justice at GVSU and minors in Chinese. Historically, becoming detective is known a “white man’s” career. Madison hopes to challenge this stigma by becoming one of the few women of color to gain her degree in this field.
During her time at GVSU, Madison has demonstrated her dedication by doing whatever it takes to graduate with her degree. This includes obtaining the assistance of professors, mentors and friends. Doing so has made a significant difference in her performance. “Don’t ever be so caught up in your dreams and goals, that you deny people who want to help you,” Madison affirmed. “Success is rarely a one-man story.”
After gaining experience as a detective, Madison will take her sense of dedication worldwide. She hopes to one day become the US Ambassador to China and establish an organization that assists people of color, especially women, in obtaining opportunities within the criminal justice field. She realizes there is a long road ahead of her but knows, “My passion will focus my energy.” This focus is what sets her apart. It’s why I’m proud to call her my best friend. It’s why she is the face of DEDICATION.