Former Polk State SGA president finds rewarding career in nation’s capital

Less than a decade ago, Kieran Sequin found himself as a member of Polk State College’s Student Government Association (SGA). Now, he lives and works just a stone’s throw away from the halls of the U.S. government.

A native of Winter Haven, college wasn’t always on his radar. By the time he was done at Polk State, Sequin was SGA president for the Winter Haven Campus.

“I was broke when I graduated high school,” he said. “Polk State was something I could afford out of pocket. I was a little more interested in politics than I am now. I went to an SGA meeting because I wanted to help make the school better but there were also scholarship opportunities. I ended up becoming heavily involved.”

Sequin earned his Associate in Arts from Polk State in 2018 before graduating from Florida State University in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in criminology. Sequin returned from Tallahassee and to bolster his law enforcement resume, completed Polk State’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Program. Upon completing the program in 2021, he worked briefly with STAT Ambulance Company as an Emergency Medical Technician and field trainer before transitioning to law enforcement.

“Polk State has one of the best EMS programs around,” Sequin said. “Polk State EMS students get trained from day one with the mindset that they’ll be EMTs, paramedics and may transition into advanced medical providing jobs. We weren’t just taught that if we see X, then do Y; we were given comprehensive detailed information to come to solid conclusions.”

After working for two years as a private investigator in Florida, Sequin has spent the last three in Washington, D.C., working as a police officer for the U.S. Department of Defense. Previously a police officer at the Pentagon, Sequin transitioned to a criminal investigator about a year ago.

“A lot of people are apprehensive about law enforcement these days, but it’s a great career,” Sequin noted. “I’m well taken care of and have a good work-life balance. It’s a fun job and I’m really happy here.”

In addition to SGA, Sequin also did ride-alongs with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Winter Haven Police Department while attending Polk State.

“I’m a practical person,” Sequin explained. “When I was figuring out what I wanted to do, I realized a college degree would help. Government was one of the few jobs where I could get a pension and it was something where I could help people.

“As a people person, law enforcement seemed like a good fit,” he added. “I looked into the federal government because local agencies weren’t hiring during COVID. I’m inquisitive and like thinking about how to solve problems. This seemed like the safe career option.”

Nearly 900 miles away from where he grew up, Sequin makes his home in Alexandria, Va. with his long-time girlfriend, Mikka Mendoza, who is part of his support system. A graduate of Polk State Chain of Lakes Collegiate High School, Mendoza went on to earn her Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management from Polk State. The former vice president for the Winter Haven Campus, Mendoza and Sequin met through SGA.

“We would always oppose each other in SGA,” Sequin recalled. “We had many shouting matches and played devil’s advocate against one another. She’s a lot like me. She gives me the pushback I need. We have a good balance.”

Going back to his time at Polk State, working as a federal law enforcement officer has long been on his radar. He offered advice for other students at the College.

“Polk State has great programs,” Sequin added. “I’d recommend a path like mine. Meet the requirements and apply. Get a degree at Polk State and you can go anywhere.”