Agent McKellar has been selected for her exceptional work as a Probation Agent, where she uses her expertise and passion to guide individuals in navigating complex probation situations. Known for her thoughtful approach and strong commitment to community safety, Agent McKellar consistently builds positive relationships with her clients while supporting their growth. She excels in balancing both the legal requirements of her role and the need for compassion, ensuring that individuals receive the necessary guidance to succeed.
Philip Joslyn received the 2024 Candice L. Dunn Parole/Probation Agent of the Year for his motivational and coaching skills and his significant impact working with the Muskegon County Recovery Court.
Joslyn began his career with the MDOC more than a decade ago as a Corrections Officer before moving to the Field Operations Administration. He has worked in the Muskegon Probation Office since 2016.
Agent Joslyn was selected because of his approach to working with those on his caseload. He balances accountability with his role as a coach and his motivation to assist offenders under his supervision in achieving success in their recovery and life beyond the criminal justice system. Recovery Court judge, program staff, enforcement officer, and attorneys have recognized his focus on coaching those in the specialty court as a key component in the program’s overall success. Philip’s impact on this program over the past four years has been significant, as he has helped support over 100 successful participants.
Philip is a Marine Corps Veteran, husband, and father who is involved in various volunteer efforts to support his community.
Abigail Gainey received the 2023 Candice L. Dunn Parole/Probation Agent of the Year for being a leader and consistently promoting offender success.
Gainey, who began her career with the MDOC nine years ago, is a leader with the supervision of Sex Offender Case Management and Interstate Compact. Gainey also manages the Swift & Sure and Mental Health Court programs and serves as an Ionia County Community Corrections Advisory Board member.
Gainey consistently goes above and beyond, serving as a coach for the offenders she supervises. Gainey utilizes tools to assist offenders, keeping them from high-risk behaviors and providing additional resources to address their individual needs. There are numerous examples of her positively impacting the lives of those she supervises through her coaching techniques, including assisting an offender to negotiate a $7 pay raise at their place of employment.
Gainey is highly regarded by her peers and community partners. Gainey works with her community partners to find solutions and has been described as inspiring and encouraging. She enjoys having an impact on her community and seeing individuals do well after supervision.
Sherron Rimpson received the 2021 Candice L. Dunn Parole/Probation Agent of the Year Award for his outstanding work ethic and his unwavering commitment to those under his supervision.
Rimpson, a Berrien County probation agent, began his career with the MDOC in 2008.
He serves as a mentor to staff and developed an information resource binder that is used by everyone in the office, including leadership, local attorneys, and judges. Rimpson also goes to great lengths to assist those on his caseload, including seeking out and engaging employers to help offenders find and maintain employment, visiting their residence to help probationers address and overcome obstacles and ensure compliance with imposed conditions, along with speaking with family members to respond to any concerns they may have.
Ahmed Bazzi received the 2020 Candice Dunn Parole/Probation Agent of the Year Award for the positive impact he has had on those under his supervision and his drive to help them succeed.
Bazzi, an Oakland County probation agent, began his career with the MDOC in 2013 and currently works with the Adult Treatment Court.
He has served as a mentor to newer staff and has embraced new methods of supervision, such as Motivational Interviewing. He has made a lasting positive impact on those on his caseload, earning their respect and the respect of his partners in the courts and law enforcement. He has also focused on helping remove barriers to employment for those under his supervision and more than 80 percent of those on his caseload are employed.
Jason Maue received the 2019 Candice Dunn Parole/Probation Agent of the Year Award for his commitment to Offender Success, his dedication to training and assisting his colleagues and for the positive influence he has on the individuals he supervises.
Maue, a probation agent at the Southwest District Probation office in Lincoln Park, has worked for the MDOC for nine years. He received his award Tuesday night in Lansing at the MDOC’s Employee Appreciation Banquet.
He has volunteered to supervise specialized caseloads such as sex offenders, veterans and drug court and has involved himself in numerous opportunities to expand his influence and knowledge. Maue also serves as a Motivational Interviewing coach and is an outspoken advocate for the process and its benefits. He is also a founding member of the Southwest Office Committee, improving office engagement, and was an integral part of creating the STAR program, recognizing employee contributions every month. He also utilizes Carey Guides and is a member of the Traumatic Incident Stress Management team.
Toni Narvais-Cooklin received the Michigan Department of Corrections’ 2018 Candice Dunn Parole/Probation Agent of the Year Award for her continuous efforts to learn, improve her skills and bring new ideas to the department.
Narvais-Cooklin, a Tuscola County parole and probation agent, has worked for the MDOC for 18 years.
She has served on the MDOC Recruitment Team and as the internship coordinator for the region, helping to draw new talent to the department. She has worked with the Sobriety Court, has supervised specialty caseloads, and regularly volunteers for all available training both in and outside the department to relay what she has learned to her colleagues in corrections.
Narvais-Cooklin said she loves learning and appreciates the many opportunities she has had to gain new skills to provide positive guidance and direction to offenders.
This is the first year the MDOC’s Parole/Probation Agent of the Year Award is named for Candice Dunn.
Dunn was the department’s 2017 Parole/Probation Agent of the Year and was killed in a car accident the night she was recognized for her achievement at an MDOC Employee Appreciation Banquet. The award was named for her to honor her legacy.
Candice Dunn received the Michigan Department of Corrections’ 2017 Parole/Probation Agent of the Year Award for her dedication to helping those under her supervision succeed and her commitment to improving her community.
Her 12-year career with the department included work with the Eastern District Probation Office, Troy Probation Office and as a Drug Court Agent in Wayne County.
Dunn joined the Oakland County Probation Office in Pontiac in December 2015, as an agent overseeing the Urban Drug Court and Sobriety Court programs. She also served as a trainer to her colleagues and a criminal justice instructor at South University in Novi.
She was a leader in efforts to give back to the community and organized drives to help feed hungry families and provide gifts to those in need during the holidays.
She was killed in a car accident the night she was recognized for the achievement at an MDOC Employee Appreciation Banquet.
The award was named for her to honor her legacy.
