AU Graduate Casey Davidson Launches Federal Law Enforcement Career
Anderson University graduate Casey Davidson ’25 is putting her national security and political science education into action after launching a federal law enforcement career with the United States Park Police.
ANDERSON, Ind. — Anderson University national security and political science graduate Casey Davidson, December ’25, was recently hired by the United States Park Police (USPP) federal law enforcement agency.
The USPP is within the National Park Service and provides full-service law enforcement in high-profile, urban national parks in Washington, D.C., New York City, and San Francisco.
In addition to these national monument sites, the USPP also has jurisdiction in other areas of Washington, D.C, Virginia, and Maryland. Though under the National Park Service, the force operates more like an urban police force rather than a ranger patrol.
Connor Sutton, chair of the department of social sciences and associate professor of political science, said, “Casey is one of our best and brightest and exemplifies what we’re doing.”
Davidson’s academic abilities made her stand out on day one. However, it was her willingness to lean into the program’s opportunities that set her apart.
“She worked the program and took every possible opportunity offered to her, as well as explored her own opportunities. It really paid dividends in reaching the level of success that she has.”
Connor Sutton
While at AU, Davidson served as President of Pi Sigma Alpha (National Political Science Honor Society), National Security Fitness Club, and Women in National Security (WINS).
Davidson said these clubs helped her come out of her shell and gave her physical training.
Participating in Model Diplomacy all 7 semesters she attended Anderson, Davidson learned from Security Council simulations. These programs are designed to help students understand the challenges and processes in implementing foreign policy. Davidson also received several awards at these events.
Sutton said Davidson has also navigated spaces that can be uninviting to women. Davidson has a black belt in Taekwondo, is part of the first generation of female Eagle Scouts, and was the youngest and only woman in her training class at the Federal Law Enforcement Academy.
Practical Experience
Davidson completed two internships. One in Summer 2024 with the Indiana State Police and one in Summer 2025 with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Intelligence Unit. These showed her how her AU degree had prepared her to enter the field.
While Davidson was with Customs and Border Protection last summer, she published several memos for the intelligence community during her time in Washington, D.C. Peers from other universities struggled to write in the “BLUF” or “bottom-line upfront format.” Meaning that they spent their entire summers trying to get something published.
“A lot of the classes I took for political science and national security focused heavily on active rather than passive voice,” Davidson said. That came into play a lot for my memos because they were looking for that.”
AU’s national security program aims to prepare students with skills they will actually use.
“Not only (are students) exposed to academic approaches to security studies, but we also expose our students to professional development in that field,” Sutton said. “They’re doing assignments that they would do in their professional lives as experts in security studies.”
The program aims to simulate the “real world.”
“We very much treat our program as if this is the minor leagues,” Sutton said. “You’re going to be doing what you’re going to be doing in the major leagues, but at a level where you can make some mistakes. You can get a feel for what it’s like to experience high-pressure and high-stakes environments.”
Some of what Davidson learned at Anderson was almost identical to her USPP training. She advises AU underclassmen to take as many classes as possible.
“I found that almost every single class that I've had has played into what I've been doing, even if I didn't really think of it at the time. There's always something you can draw upon from that.”
Casey Davidson
“I found that almost every single class I’ve had has played into what I’ve been doing. Even if I didn’t really think of it at the time,” Davidson said. “There’s always something you can draw upon from that.”
Sutton said Davidson serves as an example to other students in the department and believes in the mission of public service.
“She’s the absolute real deal in this field, and I expect that she’s going to achieve at an extremely high level,” Sutton said. “I wish I had more students like Casey… We would be better if there were more Casey’s serving our country and our community.”
About Anderson University
Anderson University educates students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 50 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 18 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult, graduate, and online programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized for excellence in business, computer science, cybersecurity, engineering, music, nursing, psychology, social work, and teacher education programs. Established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God, the university remains committed to its Christ-centered mission.
