On Thursday, September 4, 2025, at the Probation Officers Professional Association of Indiana (POPAI) Fall Conference, Mike Small, Assistant Chief Probation Officer with Grant County Court Services, was presented with the Founder’s Award.
The “Founder’s Award” is a way of recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of probation in general and, specifically, to the POPAI organization. The recipient need not be a Probation Officer or POPAI member. The selected person, however, shall be characterized by his/her commitment to influence and promotion of professionalism in Indiana probation.
In November of this year, Mike will be celebrating 30 years of service as a probation officer, much of which he has spent in leadership roles.
Mike has also served on the POPAI Board as the District 4 Representative between 2020-2024 and has been an active member of POPAI for 28 years.
Melissa Stephenson, Director of Grant County Court Services, wrote, “What sets Mike apart is his genuine belief in people, their potential for change, their dignity, and his willingness to invest in others. This belief transcends beyond the work being done with clients to also include his leadership skills both within the profession and his community. Mike’s longstanding faithfulness to his community began before his employment at Court Services to include serving as an EMT, a Jail Officer, and a Sheriff’s Deputy. Throughout his career, he has continued to share his expertise and serve his community in various roles such as a Reserve Deputy, a Police Officer for Indiana Wesleyan University, the girls’ basketball and golf coach for Madison Grant High School, and serving on the Ministry and Oversight committee at his church. It is forthese reasons, and many more, that I wholeheartedly nominate Mike Small for the Founder’s Award. His contributions are not just significant; they are transformative.”
Chris Cunningham, Community Corrections Director for Grant County Court Services, wrote, “Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing his transformative impact on our team, our clients, and our larger justice system. His work is never about checking boxes; it’s about cultivating change. Mike’s approach to probation is not just as a legal process, but as a human one, creating opportunities for justice-involved individuals.”
Maria Schultz, CQI Supervisor for Grant County Court Services, wrote, “As Assistant Chief Probation Officer with Grant County Court Services, Mike consistently demonstrates a value system rooted in serving others – both staff and clients. He is not only deeply committed to public service but also genuinely invested in supporting his team, both personally and professionally.
POPAI congratulates Assistant Chief Mike Small as this year’s Founder’s Award winner.