UMSL Staffer Graduates from FBI Citizens Academy

In her line of work at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, Kendra Perry-Ward comes into contact with FBI agents. Recently, the tables were turned, and she had the opportunity to actually put herself in the shoes of a special agent.

In May, she graduated from the FBI Citizens Academy in St. Louis, according to a press release from UMSL.

“It was exciting to find out first hand how the FBI works,” said Perry-Ward, director of government and business relations for the Center for Nanoscience at UMSL and a resident of Richmond Heights. “We have done a lot of work with the FBI over the years because of the type of research we do here.”

During her time at UMSL, Perry-Ward has has partnered with the bureau on various presentations and seminars. In particular, she coordinates an FBI-led conference at UMSL, which educates faculty on conducting business overseas, research technology protection and cyber safety. 

During the nine-session course taught by FBI agents, Perry-Ward learned varied information—from how the bureau tracks down spies and terrorists to how special agents balance enforce the laws and ensure the constitutional rights of an individual. 

The citizens academy is designed for business, religious and civic leaders who are nominated by an FBI employee or a previous academy graduate.  A limited number of participants are then selected from the pool of nominees. The program is offered nationwide.

“The simulation was incredible. It was kind of like a really high-end video game,” she said in a press release. “You interact with this game that’s going on and get to walk through and see what agents go through.”

As a newly anointed FBI “ambassador,” Perry-Ward will continue to be involved with the St. Louis office of the FBI.