Major Laura McCullough, administrative assistant director of the Georgia Southern University Department of Public Safety, is the first GSU police officer to graduate from the FBI National Academy.

“I loved this experience and learned a lot of new techniques and skills that can be put into practice by our officers,” McCullough said in a news release.

Participation is by invitation only through a nomination process, according to the FBI’s website.

McCullough was recommended for the National Academy by FBI Special Agent Ed Sutcliff and was one of 268 local law enforcement officers to graduate from the training program in March, according to the news release.

McCollough is excited to share the information she learned in the courses with her fellow GSU officers.

“One class taught us to not only listen to what someone says, but how they say it or what they don’t say at all. That can tell us a lot about what may have happened in an incident,” McCullough said in the news release.

At the academy McCullough had the chance to make many lasting relationships, according to the news release.

“My FBI instructors and classmates told me ‘anytime you need something, call or email because we are here for you,’” McCullough said in the news release.

The mission of the FBI academy program is to foster ideas and partnerships between members across national lines, according to the FBI website.

McCullough said in the news release, “This is a huge bonus to help our department move forward and become stronger.”