Macon State College MVPs is a web feature that profiles notable students, alumni, faculty and staff.
Ashley Schaffer’s job is to protect and serve the Macon State community.
Full Name: Ashley Dawn Schaffer.
Residence: Macon.
Originally From: Barnesville.
Family: Mother, Roxanne Schaffer; father, George Schaffer; sister, Autumn Schaffer; dog, Pee Wee; and rabbit, Radar.
Job Title: Police officer, Macon State College Police Department and safety officer for the Residence Life Program.
Education: Associate of science in criminal justice, Gordon College; associate of applied science in forensic science technology with a concentration in crime scene investigation, Southern Crescent Technical College; Macon Regional Police Academy Mandate Class 216.
Year she began working for Macon State: 2010.
What she does on the job: “Protect and serve the people of Macon State College, be they students, faculty, staff, or guests. As a patrol officer, I patrol through the parking lots and walk through the buildings looking for any suspicious activity. I also answer calls as they come through our dispatch. My favorite aspect of my job is community policing. I love to park the patrol unit and walk through the buildings. I like talking with the employees and students. I want everyone who walks onto the Macon State College campus to have a positive as possible experience with the Public Safety Department. As far as the safety officer portion of my job, I patrol the College Station Apartments. I also attend Residence Life events and assist with the Resident Assistant classes. I enjoy talking to the residents and trying to make them feel at home at Macon State. I would like the residents to know that they can trust me and that I'm here to assist them.”
One thing people don’t know about Macon State is … “Macon State is a small community. I'm from a small town and that's the same feeling I got when I started working here. I immediately felt at home with not only my department but the departments I interacted with, especially Plant Operations and Student Life. The faculty and staff here are warm and welcoming. Everyone I met in my first months of employment at Macon State were so happy to have a police department, they all wanted to meet us. I was pleased to find that there were so many great people all at the same place. I think this small town feel is an excellent support system for students, especially freshmen.”
One thing people don’t know about her is … “I am a bit of a nerd. I like video games, comic books, and Star Trek: The Original Series, just to name a few of my interests. I am always surprised to walk onto campus off duty in civilian clothes and no one recognizes me. I get a double take from both employees and students. I find it rather amusing when I'm constantly asked if I am a student and if I need assistance.”
What she likes to do in her spare time is … “Work on my various art projects. I've always been artistic, even as a child. I enjoy photography the best. I like to just pack up my camera and take photos with no real destination. I put them together in my portfolio books or online portfolio programs. I enjoy editing some of them with different color techniques. I am also into mix media projects using clay, paint, and other random objects found around my apartment or flea markets.”
The one person she’d most like to meet is … “My paternal grandfather, Harry Malcolm Schaffer. He was a Bibb County sheriff’s deputy and investigator back in the 1940s and 1950s. He had intended to run for sheriff but passed away suddenly from a massive heart attack. I would like to meet him and tell him how much he inspired my career choice. I think it would be neat to hear how much law enforcement has changed since the ‘40s.”
What she likes best about working at Macon State is … “The community feeling. Macon State College is now the home of approximately 300 students living on campus. I hope that each one of those students feels at home as much as I do. Macon State has excellent employees who are willing to go the extra mile to assist each other, students, and guests. Each department has been great and very cooperative with me. A perfect example of this mentality is every event that Student Life hosts, I will patrol to ensure safety of the students. Sometimes I don't always get a chance to stop and eat so Dee Lindsey of Student Life staff makes sure I get something for lunch or dinner. Another great example is the Plant Operations staff. Anytime I have a question about how something mechanical works or about the location of something, they are always willing to answer my questions, no matter how simple or complex. Those are the type of people we have employed here. They are not putting up a false image, they genuinely care.”