Central Arizona College issued the following announcement on Oct. 8.
Lt. Col. Jenna Mitchell attended Casa Grande Union High School. An academic scholarship gave her the opportunity to enroll at CAC and graduate in 1995 with an AA in Business Administration.
She continued her education at Phoenix Regional Police Academy, becoming a State Trooper with the Arizona Department of Public Safety. She also received her Bachelor's degree in Business from Arizona State University in 1997 (cum laude).
In July 2019, Lt. Col. Mitchell was appointed to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and became Assistant Director of the Highway Patrol Division of the Arizona Department of Public Safety. She is the second female Lieutenant Colonel in the Department and the first woman to command the Highway Patrol Division.
She credits her parents Dale and Sharon Mace with instilling within her the strong work ethic to get her through her journey, often telling her, "Do not put off until tomorrow what you can do today." "They raised me to be confident, tenacious, and determined. They told me I could accomplish anything I set my mind to through hard work and dedication." The support of her husband of 29 years, Paul Mitchell, and their four children Brandon, Zachary, Ethan, and Samantha, has also been crucial to her success.
Of her time at CAC, she says, "CAC provided smaller class sizes and the professors provided excellent instruction. This was exactly what I needed to continue my education." Reflecting further, she adds, "CAC ignited a passion in me to never stop learning. I am a graduate of Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command, the Leadership in Police Organizations Command program, and the Police Executive Research Forum Senior Management Institute for Police."
Your hard work and determination inspire us, Lt. Col.
Original source can be found here.
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