Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy and NAU-LETA

Testimonials

U.S. Park Ranger Shaun Donnelly

(PRLEA Class #44)

“I just wanted to reach out to say thank you for the training, information, and advice that you provided me during the academy.  I recently applied for the Direct to FLETC (Federal Law Enforcement Training Center) announcement, completed my final interview, and was selected to move forward in the hiring process with the National Park Service (NPS). I don’t believe that I would’ve been selected for this position if it wasn’t for the program and its instructors and staff.  The time and effort you all put into the program has definitely set me up for success in my future career as a park ranger. I look forward to my training at FLETC and hope that it is even half as good as the NAU program.” 

Zach Nelson, Supervisory Field Ranger, Grand Tetons National Park.

(PRLEA Class #26)

“The PRTP program offered at NAU is a high-quality training experience that sets you up for success as a law enforcement ranger. I found that the connections and networking created in the program have been long-lasting.”

U.S. Park Ranger Matthew O’Brien

(PRLEA Class #42)

“The program gave me everything necessary to prepare for a career as a law enforcement ranger with the NPS. Though the days were sometimes long, the academy prepared me for the real world. The instructors are phenomenal, incredibly knowledgeable, and work hard to help people learn and grow. NAU’s PRLEA also prepared me for FLETC*. The programs are nearly identical, and as a result, FLETC was not nearly as difficult as I assumed it would be.   If you are interested in a career with a land management agency, I highly recommend you attend the academy at NAU.“

Mitchell Belles

(PRLEA Class #45, Best in Class)

“I cannot recommend the NAU academy highly enough.  The range and number of instructors is truly phenomenal.  Furthermore, NAU is located in an area that is rich with natural and cultural resources – a perfect learning environment.  As with most things in life, you will get back what you put in.  If you put in the work, you will likely succeed.  Go there prepared and you will leave with a wealth of practical experience and with a robust network of professionals to help you build your career.  Attending the NAU PRLEA was an incredibly valuable experience for me.  I would do it again in a heartbeat.”

Testimonials

Sgt. J. Randy Servis, Coconino County Sheriff’s Office (ret.) and Lieutenant and Regional Supervisor, Arizona Department of Agriculture (ret.) 

“As one of many of the program’s instructors, I can say that NAU’s PRLEA provides students an exceptional opportunity to obtain the training required to be a law enforcement park ranger.  The job requires not only a strong love for the out-of-doors, but also skill and self-confidence.  NAU’s PRLEA provides both to students and lays the foundation for their eventual work in the “real world”.  I think I speak for all the program’s instructors when I say we look forward to meeting you, watching you grow, and assisting you in becoming that asset our parks and natural resources so desperately require.”

Jake Tweeten

(PRLEA Class #44, Best in Class)

“There are a lot of people who go through NAU PRLEA and it is a testament to the quality of the program.  Four of the 5 of us who interviewed together for Direct to FLETC* went to the program. Keep up the good work.”

Dalton Marin
(PRLEA class #46, Spring 2024)

“Everyday I was sure of hearing two things: “Story time!” and “Dig deep!” It won’t take
you long to figure out why either. I was challenged on almost every front during my time in the
academy and learned things about myself that weren’t apart of the course description. Looking
back, the main points that stand out to me are the staff’s dedication to students’ success, the
quality of teaching, and the effort put forth by the supporting educators that make the program
worthwhile. Although the length of the PRLEA course at NAU is 16-weeks, I feel like the
experience and education I gained through it far exceed that timeline. Good luck and dig deep!“


Eli Mohn

(PRLEA Class #46, Spring 2024)

“The NAU Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy was an invaluable experience that equipped me with essential life and career skills. The training I received not only prepared me for roles within the National Park Service but also made me a strong candidate for positions beyond federal service. After completing the academy, I successfully served a season with the National Park Service. I am now proud to serve as a Park Ranger for the City of Mesa, where I apply the knowledge and skills I gained from the academy every day.”

Testimonials

B.I.

(PRLEA class #46, Spring 2024)

“I decided to attend the Park Ranger Law Enforcement Academy (PRLEA) at Northern Arizona University (NAU) in the Spring of 2024 with the goal of  becoming a seasonal law enforcement (LE) ranger for the National Park Service.  I had recently retired from a career in federal law enforcement having served with two different agencies.  I can say without a doubt that the PRLEA at NAU does an outstanding job preparing an individual to become a seasonal LE ranger.  Though the PRLEA operates aboard a public university without a dedicated academy facility, it more than makes up for this disadvantage with its excellent teaching cadre, most who are active duty LE rangers or police officers, its imaginative adaptation of training to the facilities and time constraints at hand and a directing staff laser focused on providing the best training possible in this environment.   I attended two full-time residential agency academies, and the PRLEA at NAU is comparable in graduating well-trained, educated and prepared candidates for jobs specifically in federal resource protection law enforcement.”     

Alexander Matkins

(PRLEA Class #46, Spring 2024)

“After graduating from FLETC, I can say that there is a distinction in the rangers who graduated from the NAU’s seasonal academy. NAU PRLEA certainly prepared and set me up for success to graduate FLETC. I am grateful in starting my National Park Service  career at NAU’s PRLEA.”

sincerely, Alex Matkins

* Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. FLETC provides PRLEA graduates with additional training that qualifies them for permanent positions with the NPS and other agencies.