Bryan Christenson, assistant chief of police at Southern Arkansas University, recently graduated from the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va. Christenson was one of 244 law enforcement officers from around the country and the world to graduate from the 10-week academy.
The 293rd session of the National Academy brought together men and women from 48 states and the District of Columbia. The class included members of law enforcement agencies from 24 countries, 11 military organizations, and four federal civilian organizations.
“It’s an academy I always wanted to go through,” said Christenson. “It was challenging. There was an array of classes offered.”
The National Academy offers advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training while allowing participants to choose from a number of course offerings.
Students are required to take a mandatory physical fitness course and a course in leadership. Participants can then choose four elective courses. Christenson chose the following courses: Managing Organizational Change and Development; Leadership: Culture and Influence; Leading Well: Authentic Leadership through Wellness; Essentials for Law Enforcement Executives; and Leading At-Risk Employees for Executives.
Beyond the classroom, National Academy students were required to complete a physical fitness challenge that pushed their limits, culminating in the legendary “Yellow Brick Road,” a six-mile obstacle course designed by the Marines. Conquering the course earned participants more than bragging rights; they received the coveted yellow brick to memorialize their achievement.
The National Academy strives to prepare law enforcement partners for positions of greater responsibility within their organizations. The three core components of the Academy are academics, physical fitness and wellness, and networking and knowledge sharing.
On average, participants in the course have 21 years of law enforcement experience. FBI Academy instructors, special agents, and other advanced degree-level staff taught the courses. Since 1972, National Academy students have earned undergraduate and graduate credits from the University of Virginia, which accredits all the National Academy courses offered. A total of 55,941 graduates have completed the FBI National Academy since it began in 1935. The National Academy is held at the FBI Training Academy in Quantico, where the FBI trains its new special agents and intelligence analysts.
Completing the National Academy earns participants 18 continuing education credits from the University of Virginia, which can be applied toward a master’s or bachelor’s degree.
Christenson, originally from the Fort Worth area, is in his sixth year at SAU. He and his wife, Jessica, enjoy raising three children: daughters Reese and Remi, and their son, Myles.
