From Classroom to Community: Gardner-Webb Connections Strengthen Learning Beyond Graduation

Alumna Micahla Funderburk and Senior Melonie Chapman Demonstrate the Power of Mentorship, Experiential Learning and Service

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Gardner-Webb University’s criminal justice administration program emphasizes experiential learning, giving traditional undergraduate students opportunities to see how classroom concepts translate into real-world practice. Through internships, career networking opportunities and mentorship from professionals in the field, students gain firsthand insight into the challenges and responsibilities of criminal justice careers.

Senior Melonie Chapman’s hands-on learning experience came through an eight-week internship with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD). There, she found herself learning from a familiar face: Gardner-Webb 2024 alumna Micahla Funderburk.

As a student, Funderburk was known across campus for her accomplishments on the basketball court, where she set records and helped lead the Runnin’ Bulldogs to Big South regular-season and tournament championships and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. In the Criminal Justice program, however, faculty and classmates knew her for another reason: leadership.

Today, those same qualities guide Funderburk’s work as a police officer and mentor to the next generation of criminal justice professionals. “Gardner-Webb was an important chapter of my life,” she said. “I came there as a student-athlete playing college basketball, and now I get to represent the University in a completely different uniform. I’m proud that current students can see someone who was once in their position now working professionally in the field. I hope my journey shows them that the discipline and lessons they are developing at Gardner-Webb can carry far beyond graduation. It’s rewarding to know that my experience may encourage another student to believe that they can accomplish their goals too.”

Chapman said the firsthand look at CMPD operations confirmed her desire to pursue a career in the field. She had learned about the opportunity through Gardner-Webb’s Public Service Career Fair, which brings law enforcement agencies to campus for recruitment.

“The internship was one of the most eye-opening experiences of my life,” Chapman affirmed. “Getting to spend the summer with 29 other college students from all over the county and experiencing everything together was truly amazing. We did physical training and classes three days a week and two days going on ride-a longs all over the city in the different divisions. We learned what it looked like to be a CMPD officer and what it looks like to be a CMPD recruit.”

One of the most meaningful aspects of the time was the opportunity to learn alongside Funderburk. The two had met at Gardner-Webb when Chapman was a freshman and Funderburk was a senior.

“I knew she was going into law enforcement, so I made sure to keep in contact with her,” Chapman related. “Then I found out I got accepted into the internship, so I immediately let her know. And my last week of the internship, I asked my supervisor at CMPD if I could do my last ride-along in her division.”

Watching Funderburk in action left a lasting impression. “Getting to ride with her was so much fun and seeing her way of policing was inspiring,” Chapman reflected. “She was very community-oriented and had a relationship with most of the people we encountered. In the time we weren’t taking calls, we would walk around in the community and talk to people. In my opinion, building trust with the community is one of the most important roles of being an effective police officer.”

Criminal justice instructor and retired police chief Tim W. Ledford witnessed Funderburk’s journey from student to police officer and now sees many of the same qualities emerging in Chapman. Reflecting on Funderburk’s time at Gardner-Webb, Ledford said she influenced her team and classmates.

“Micahla demonstrated throughout her college career that leadership is not simply about achievement, but about inspiring others to be their best,” Ledford observed. “Whether on the basketball court, in the classroom, or in her current role as a police officer, she continues to lead through example.”

Funderburk said her experience as a student-athlete contributed to her professional development. “My time at Gardner-Webb prepared me for law enforcement in more ways than I realized,” Funderburk shared. “Playing college basketball taught me discipline, accountability, teamwork, time management, and how to perform under pressure. As an athlete, I had to balance academics, practices, workouts, games and travel while still being responsible for my performance in the classroom.”

She continued, “Now, as a police officer, I use many of those same skills. I have to remain composed in stressful situations, communicate with different personalities, work as part of a team, and make decisions when there is pressure around me. Basketball also taught me that everyone has a role, and that translates directly into police work.”

Funderburk added that her perspective on service and purpose was also shaped by Gardner-Webb’s Christ-centered environment. “Faith has played a major role in both my education and my career,” she said. “Gardner-Webb gave me an environment where faith was incorporated into my college experience, and it helped me understand the importance of having a purpose beyond myself. As a police officer, there are situations that can be emotionally and mentally challenging, and my faith helps keep me grounded. I pray for wisdom, protection, patience, and the ability to treat people with compassion. I believe God placed me in this profession for a reason, and I try to remember that I have an opportunity to make an impact on someone every time I put on the uniform.”

Guided by those values, Funderburk finds the greatest reward in helping others during some of life’s most challenging moments. “Police officers often meet people when they are scared, hurt, angry, or experiencing a crisis,” she observed. “Being able to bring some sense of safety or direction to that situation is meaningful to me. I also enjoy connecting with the community outside of enforcement. Sometimes the biggest impact comes from simply listening to someone, giving them resources, or showing them that you genuinely care.”

As Chapman prepares for graduation, she hopes to follow a similar path. “I plan on joining the CMPD Police Academy to become a police officer and work my way up to my end goal of being a K9 Officer,” she said.

Ledford believes Chapman is well-prepared for the journey ahead. “Melonie embodies the qualities we hope to instill in all criminal justice students,” he said. “She is academically strong, deeply committed to serving others, and consistently demonstrates the leadership, professionalism, and integrity necessary for success in the criminal justice field. The positive influence she has had on her fellow students is remarkable.”

Funderburk emphasized that internships and hands-on learning opportunities help students like Chapman build a strong foundation for their careers. “You can learn criminal justice concepts from a textbook, but being able to observe professionals, ask questions, and experience the environment firsthand gives you a completely different perspective,” she explained. “It can also help you determine which area of criminal justice is the best fit for you.”

Together, Funderburk and Chapman demonstrate how connections formed at Gardner-Webb can continue long after graduation and help prepare the next generation of leaders in criminal justice.

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Become More at gardner-webb.edu.