Sheriff’s Detention Corporal and Sergeant Graduate from MTSU

Sheriff’s Detention Cpl. Malia Xayachack and Sgt. Adam Sowden juggled working fulltime and with completing courses at MTSU.

Their dedication paid off when they both graduated Saturday from MTSU.

Xayachack said the journey was difficult, especially since she managed work and 400 hours of internship with 200 hours at the Sheriff’s Criminal Investigation Division. She coached and guided families with children who have developmental delays for another 200 hours.

“It was a hard battle but the victory is sweet,” Xayachack said.

Sowden earned his associate’s degree at Motlow State Community College. He joined a Metropolitan Nashville firefighter as the first two students to enroll in MTSU’s new Public Safety Program. The program is geared to public safety professionals with experience.

MTSU gave him 20 hours of credit based on his portfolio of experience and training at the detention center.

“The experience portfolio really made a huge difference in how quickly I was able to complete my degree,” Sowden said.

Attending first-rate online classes and a partnership with the Sheriff’s Office and MTSU for a tuition discount helped Sowden graduate.

As part of his courses, Sowden completed a capstone project to solve a problem affecting public service. He focused on improving staffing.

Sowden earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Integrated Studies in public safety with emphasis on leadership, communications with a diverse people and business ethics.

“I believe this degree will help me bring new perspectives and creative problem solving from a wide variety of resources into the day to day work we do at the facility,” Sowden said. “Integrated studies pulls from different academic areas to give a broad scope of education with a public safety focus.”

Xayachack graduated from Blackman High School in 2019 and started working fulltime in detention while attending Motlow for two years on the Tennessee Promise program. She used her good grades and scholarships to pay for the classes at MTSU the next two years.

She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in human development and family science with a minor in psychology. Xayachack said she hopes other employees will earn their degrees.

Sowden and Xayachack work as supervisors of the evening shift of deputies at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center. Xayachack also serves as a certified detention facility compliance officer and instructor. She serves on the recruitment team to hire new detention deputies.

Both Sowden and Xayachack credited Lt. Glen Edgell for supporting them in their quest for the degrees.

Jail Administrator Kevin Henderson said Sowden and Xayachack balanced their education and fulltime work at the detention center where they give 100 percent every day.

“Their dedication and determination should be an example of how professionals succeed in life,” Henderson said. “Not only have they enriched their lives but others in the department by their training of other employees.”