On April 1st, the Kansas Free Press will mark its 6-month anniversary. With gratitude for the Kansans who nobly commit their time and talents to citizen journalism, we are celebrating our upcoming half-year anniversary by proudly showcasing each of our writers.
WICHITA, Kan. - In this profile, we are honored to introduce KFP correspondent, Shala Perez. She was appointed by Governor Kathleen Sebelius to the Kansas Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission in 2007, and was appointed as the commission's executive director by Governor Mark Parkinson in 2009. Shala's career of public service includes law enforcement, juvenile corrections, teaching, and work in the non-profit sector.
Shala began her career in law enforcement in 1992 serving as a police officer and juvenile corrections official. In addition to her law enforcement career, she also teaches administration of justice courses for Butler County Community College.
Shala has served as lead instructor at Kansas School for Effective Learning (KANSEL), a non-profit organization dedicated to helping non-traditional students reach their full potential.
She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Butler County Community College, receiving an Associates of Arts in Police Science. She received her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Wichita State University in 1999, and, in 2002, earned a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from Wichita State University, with certificates in Forensic Criminology and Law Enforcement. Shala also completed graduate studies in public administration and management.
Shala has traveled extensively throughout the world, including numerous trips to Mexico, Central and South America, and Europe. She served on the board of directors for the Global Learning Center.
In 2007, Shala was honored for her human rights work by Church Women United, a racially, culturally, and theologically inclusive group recognized by the United Nations as a non-governmental organization. Additionally, Shala has been nominated for Ethical Courage Award presented annually by the Ethics Center of the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration (ILEA), of Dallas, Texas.
She says that she is primarily motivated to address public policy concerns to improve the lives of all Kansans.
We're delighted that this talented and passionate public servant finds some time in her very busy schedule to write at the Kansas Free Press!
To learn more about any KFP writers, we encourage you to browse our directory of citizen journalists.
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