Academics may be the foundation of the college experience, but for students striking out on their own for the first time, finding a path of purpose and passion can make the transition to adulthood that much easier. The FBI’s Columbia field office is working with students at South Carolina colleges and universities to help pave that path through an innovative mentoring program.

Starting in September, the FBI kicked off the second year of this special collegiate program. FBI employees, including special agents, intelligence analysts and professional staff members, are pairing up with 25 students from seven schools to develop a mentor-mentee relationship. Through the school year, they meet at least monthly and attend programs focused on presentation skills, professional development, decision making, and health and wellness. They will also participate in a career expo.

The sessions are designed to strengthen the students’ professional development. This program will also allow FBI mentors to gain a better understanding of the college student population to enhance their trust. It is a two-way learning experience centered around the FBI’s core values of leadership, respect, accountability, fairness, and compassion.

“It is my hope that the students who participate in the program can get a clear vision of what we do and what we stand for in the FBI,” said Dionia Jenkins, a Community Outreach Specialist. “I also hope the mentors will learn from the students to better understand how we can serve their population and how we can be a resource for them.”

This second year of the mentoring program comes on the heels of a successful program last year that resulted in 23 student “graduates.” In this initial cohort, students shared with their mentors how impactful the program was for them. They especially appreciated learning life skills (such as how to budget); having the opportunity to speak to victim specialists, special agents, and mental health counselors; and strengthening their professional skills such as interview techniques and resume writing. The Bureau has benefited from the program as well: one student joined the FBI Honors Internship Program, and another student is in background for a permanent position.

The FBI had graciously extended an invitation once again to the Society to have Chapter Chairs attend a New Agent graduation ceremony of the Basic Field Training Course at the FBI Academy in June of this year at the expense of the FBI. The Chapter Chairs

to attend were selected based on location and size of Chapter diversity with nine Chapter Chairs attending, as well as Executive Director Nancy Savage.

After traveling the day before the event, our group met that evening for a welcome dinner in Stafford, VA, where the Chairs were honored by the presence of Supervisory Special Agents (SSAs) Amylynn Errera and Glen Booth, both Special Assistants to Executive Assistant Director (EAD) Timothy Dunham.

The Chairs were provided that night with a schedule of events that was entitled “Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI VIP Visit to the FBI Academy,” which set the theme and tone for the next day.

The next morning, an FBI bus arrived at the hotel and took the Chapter Chairs through the Quantico Marine Corps base and FBI security to the entrance of the FBI Academy. There, they were met by the Academy Special Event Team, including Section Chief Todd Bobe, Special Event Coordinator Joan Froehle, and SSAs Booth and Errera. They made a brief stop in the Lyceum where they were welcomed by EAD Dunham before traveling to the Academy auditorium with brief stops in the Academy library and the Hall of Honor. Froehle was an outstanding guide pointing out the significance of many items viewed.

23-02 Session of the FBI Basic Field Training Course Graduation

Our group was seated up front in the auditorium just behind the 170 New Agent graduates, which were divided into four sections during training. The commencement program began with EAD Dunham calling the assemblage to order which included New Agent graduates, their family members, and Academy staff. The Colors were presented by the FBI Honor Guard. EAD Dunham provided moving opening remarks emphasizing the meaning of Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity, giving special recognition to our group of Society Chapter Chairs as VIP visitors.

Director Christopher Wray began by administering the oath of office to the class members and then provided remarks that included stressing the importance of teamwork, attention to detail, commitment, and service throughout their FBI careers.

The Director then individually presented the credentials to all the graduating Agents. The Society representatives all agreed that this graduation was the highlight of the day, seeing the eager, new graduates while reliving their own graduations so many years ago.

The Chapter Chairs recessed after the graduation to the cafeteria for lunch.

Conclusion 

• The Director concluded by stating that rumors about our brand being ruined are egregiously overstated. Examples of the strength of the FBI brand are:
• The new agents graduating today are extremely well qualified.
• The perspective from our law enforcement partners that the Bureau is better than ever.
• The Director noted that the FBI stays focused on the brand with stakeholders who matter the most, referencing judges as one example. If judges bash us, we have a problem. Judges don’t bash the FBI.
• The Directors final comment was that if you go to a new Agent graduation and you don’t come out excited, you missed the point.

IMD’s EVC is the FBI’s principal vetting authority of SIMs and foreign nationals in defense of the homeland. The EVC provides vetting support to field offices and other government agencies for awareness and action.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) encounters SIMS at or between ports of entry. In just the last five years, there has been a significant increase of SIMs encountered and vetted.

While the volume increase alone presents new challenges for agencies diligently working these types of threats, new obstacles are also emerging, including the pace of information, quicker travel, and better tradecraft. There is also no standardized process for mitigating SIM threats since each case is unique.

Although the SIM threat is mostly associated with the southern CONUS border, the SIM Summit also provided an opportunity to discuss and provide awareness of the SIM threat at the northern border.

Ottawa Assistant Legal Attaché Shea Dickenson shared, “I was happy to have been invited to provide a northern border perspective to the conference as IMD is looking into how the borders interact. We are becoming increasingly aware of how SIMs exploit both the U.S. and Canadian immigration systems to gain better access within North America.”

So how does the EVC and its partners mitigate the SIM threat? The answer is not a simple one. It requires collaboration, information sharing, and understanding the limitations and capabilities, as well as analysis, research, and clear communication. Miami field office’s Task Force Officer Andre Mercendetti added, “Partners are key, with honest and open communication along with sharing what we can in a timely manner.”

Several agencies brought awareness to the role they play in the SIM threat, such as the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) removal process. After the CBP encounters a SIM, they interview them, send relevant information to the EVC for vetting, and then the SIM can be transferred to ICE for removal. The FBI’s High Value Detainee Interrogation Group discussed its role with interview support and techniques. The FBI’s Counterterrorism Division spoke on the importance of collaboration between the FBI and border agencies, and delivering comprehensive assessments to support managing and mitigating the SIM threat at the border.

EVC Section Chief Karl Schumann made a commitment to all attendees, “We do not have unlimited resources, but you have my promise to your respective areas of responsibilities, the EVC is here to help. If we are not helping, we are not doing our job.”

As the SIM Summit concluded, IMD’s A/AD Parry summed it up by saying, “It is clear we share unity in mission and a common understanding of both the challenges and opportunities along our borders. The SIM Summit provided a forum to share approaches, strengthen partnerships, and reaffirm our commitment to continue working together.”

In the end, the SIM Summit showcased one overarching theme: the importance of partnerships and information sharing.