黑料正能量

A group of college men and women huddle around a banner for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
黑料正能量's Career Services celebrated 19 graduates from the prestigious FBI Collegiate Academy. [Christian Foreman, FBI Community Relations]

AU celebrates 19 graduates from the FBI Collegiate Academy聽

黑料正能量鈥檚 recently partnered with the to host the FBI Collegiate Academy, a four-week, 12-hour educational program. The academy included 43 total students from AU, Paine College, the University of South Carolina Aiken and Augusta Technical College. 

鈥淔BI Atlanta enjoyed connecting with the 黑料正能量 students during the 2024 Collegiate Academy sessions at the throughout the two months,鈥 said Demetrius Smith, FBI community outreach specialist. 鈥淲e witnessed true dedication and commitment by the AU students who, after long days of academic endeavors, committed to showing up and being engaged weekly. Scholars went so far as to traverse the CSRA streets through the Hurricane Helene aftermath.鈥 

The program included 19 students from AU鈥檚 and the . The rigorous application process looked for applicants from all walks of life and majors who are interested in working with the FBI.

The academy covered topics including forensic accounting, domestic terrorism, operations and leadership, cybercrime, violent crimes against children/human trafficking, employment pathways, drugs and gang activity, active shooter training and the Ahmaud Arbery case. 

鈥淭he initial class started with 50 students, ended with 43 graduates, and the students from 黑料正能量 were the only institution with 100% retention from start to finish,鈥 said , director of Career Services. 鈥淚 enjoyed getting to witness the professionalism and inquisitive nature of our students involved in the program. They were a great group.鈥 

A man hands a college woman a certificate of completion. There is a banner with the logo for the Federal Bureau of Investigation behind them.
Jordan Lee-Davis
[Christian Foreman, FBI Community Relations]

For first-year undergraduate major Jordan Lee-Davis, the program was a perfect fit. An honors student with a passion for criminal justice, her interest in the FBI鈥檚 inner-workings began with her fascination for conspiracy theories and the TV show 鈥淐riminal Minds.鈥 

鈥淭his opportunity with the Augusta FBI Collegiate Academy is incredibly meaningful to me because I have always admired those who solve cybercrimes and other complex criminal cases,鈥 Lee-Davis said. 鈥淭he FBI plays a critical role in protecting our nation from cyber threats, combating transnational criminal enterprises, addressing cyberterrorism and safeguarding vulnerable populations, such as children.鈥 

As a member of the , Lee-Davis hopes to use her own knowledge to mentor young women of color. She was deeply impacted by the session on the Arbery case, where three Georgia men were convicted of committing hate crimes, attempting to kidnap and murdering Arbery, a young Black man who was jogging on the public streets of a neighborhood.聽

A man hands a college man a certificate of completion. There is a banner with the logo for the Federal Bureau of Investigation behind them.
Omarion Butts
[Christian Foreman, FBI Community Relations]

Omarion Butts, a second-year undergraduate student majoring in , also found the program transformative. Aspiring to be a special agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Butts networked with agents and peers and learned about the FBI internship process.  

鈥淲hen I was younger, I would say that I wanted to be a special agent with the FBI,鈥 Butts said. 鈥淎s I got older, I began to understand more about the geographies of the job, and I don鈥檛 necessarily want to travel as much as I would be required to with the FBI, which is what led me to the GBI. I really want to investigate crime scenes and play a part in putting together clues.鈥 

The Arbery case also stood out for Butts, because an agent who worked directly on the case visited the class and spoke with the students. 

鈥淚 learned a lot,鈥 Butts said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 really the little things that matter, especially that they鈥檙e a team-based organization. The FBI doesn鈥檛 do it all alone. They work with local police officers, state officers and even watch the news and media to gain information from them as well.鈥 

A man hands a college man a certificate of completion. There is a banner with the logo for the Federal Bureau of Investigation behind them.
DJ English [Christian Foreman, FBI Community Relations]

DJ English, a fourth-year undergraduate student majoring in and , looks forward to working for the United States Department of State, combining his interest in cultures and people.  

This eye-opening experience taught him about crimes that have occurred outside the Augusta area, prompting him to consider how similar incidents would impact his own community. English found the program inspiring, from dressing professionally for each class to meeting special agents who put their lives on the line every day. 

鈥淭he program made me realize that many people have a negative view of the government, and how we鈥檙e how to be protected and where our taxpayer money is going,鈥 English said. 鈥淚鈥檝e always wondered, 鈥榃hen terrible crimes are committed, who are we looking toward to help and protect?鈥 This program was a wonderful experience that taught us as students that the FBI is here to help us.鈥 

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Written by
Jamison Guice

Jamison Guice is a communications strategist at 黑料正能量. You can reach her at jguice@augusta.edu or (706) 737-1411.

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Jagwire is your source for news and stories from 黑料正能量. Daily updates highlight the many ways students, faculty, staff, researchers and clinicians "bring their A games" in classrooms and clinics on four campuses in Augusta and locations across the state of Georgia.