Jack McLauchlan’s life has never been ordinary. Born under a dictatorship in Paraguay and raised the in Pacific Northwest, he has lived a life defined by service — from navigating war zones as a U.S. Marine to walking a beat as a police sergeant. Along the way, he’s raised two children as a single father and faced challenges that would test anyone’s resolve.
But even for someone as steadfast as Jack, the path to higher education was anything but linear. Interrupted by deployments, personal loss and the relentless demands of an 18-year law enforcement career, his academic journey seemed perpetually on hold. Until he discovered a program that didn’t just fit his life, it transformed it.
“I've been an advocate of continuous learning my entire life and strive to continue to educate myself in different ways. I try to learn a new skill every year; constant education is key to moving forward.”
The UW Online Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Social Sciences offered more than flexibility. It gave Jack the intellectual tools to understand the communities he serves, the confidence to lead with empathy and the foundation to build a future beyond the badge.
A Life Built on Service
Jack’s parents, both educators, instilled in him a love of learning and a sense of duty from an early age. When his mother made the bold decision to leave Paraguay to escape political unrest, Jack’s life took a new direction. One rooted in opportunity and resilience.
He began college in 2003 at Eastern Washington University, but when the call to serve came, Jack answered — spending eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps. When he returned home, Jack had an infant daughter to care for; school had to wait.
Over the next decade, Jack earned two associate degrees and rose through the ranks of the Ephrata Police Department, eventually becoming a patrol sergeant. Yet something was missing. Motivated to continue with a bachelor’s degree, he began searching for a program that aligned with his values and ambitions.
“My goal was to get my bachelor's degree in social sciences, and I felt like that would make me a more well-rounded person and a better citizen of the world,” Jack says. “As a police officer, the better you’re at communicating and expressing yourself, the more likely you’re to have better outcomes with less resistance.”
Learning Through Adversity
Jack found the perfect fit in the ISS program — an interdisciplinary degree designed for working adults that offers breadth and flexibility. He notes that his work schedule is grueling: 12-hour shifts that flip between days and nights, leaving little room for traditional classes. The program’s asynchronous format changed everything.
“Being able to get a University of Washington-level education online meant the world to me,” he explains. “I could work on assignments during my days off or squeeze in an hour here and there.”
Then life threw curveballs. A few quarters in, Jack faced unimaginable challenges: personal loss, a divorce, and the responsibility of raising two young children alone while working full-time. The weight became too much, and reluctantly, Jack pressed pause on his education once again. But he never let go of his commitment to learning.
“I've been an advocate of continuous learning my entire life and strive to continue to educate myself in different ways,” he says. “I try to learn a new skill every year; constant education is key to moving forward in life.”
When the time was right in 2024, Jack re-enrolled. Nervous but determined, he found the support he needed to succeed. “I worried that I wouldn't be welcome back after I took such a long break, but I have got nothing but support,” he admits. “The fact that my adviser, Mel Wensel, remembered me after all those years and worked hard to get me back into the program was incredible.”
A Program That Transforms
For Jack, ISS was more than convenience; it was a catalyst. With courses spanning philosophy, psychology, sociology, anthropology and communications, the program’s curriculum gave him fresh perspectives on the communities he serves.
“Having knowledge in all these areas helps me understand people and societies better,” says Jack. “It allows me to be a better police officer and a better steward of my community.”
The instructors especially inspired him, demonstrating their expertise as true subject-matter experts and remaining available to help or encourage students. The program also introduced him to new creative outlets, like building a professional portfolio. A tool that will help him highlight his research and interests as he transitions into his next chapter.
“I’d never done anything like that before,” he says. “I plan to use my portfolio to showcase that I'm more multifaceted than a simple police officer.”
The broad, integrative approach of the ISS program has given Jack the flexibility to explore multiple career paths and the confidence to choose the one that felt right. Now, he’s setting his sights on the next big step: an Executive Master of Public Administration at the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy and Governance.
His mission? To step into a leadership role in government or the nonprofit sector, championing causes close to his heart, especially supporting veterans. It’s a natural extension of his lifelong dedication to service.
“I'm excited, humbled and extremely grateful to be given the opportunity to continue my studies at the University of Washington,” Jack says. “My life has been service-driven, and I'd like to continue to serve as I move out of my current role and into the future. Continued learning and service — that’s what’s important to me.”