EMU Today

MEDIA ADVISORY

*Interview and B-roll opportunities available

WHO: United States Secret Service Deputy Director Faron K. Paramore, United States Department of Homeland Security Executive Director for Social Impact and Campaigns Karinda L. Washington, EMU President James Smith and other EMU officials, and Detroit Public Safety Academy (DPSA) students

WHAT: DPSA, an EMU charter school, schoolwide career assembly for students interested in public service career opportunities.

WHEN/WHERE: The event occurs on Monday, Feb. 27, at DPSA, located at 1250 Rosa Parks Boulevard in Detroit. Paramore and Washington will tour the school at noon, followed by a schoolwide career assembly at 1:15 p.m.

BACKGROUND: Students preparing for careers as first responders and leaders in public safety will receive a first-hand account of what it’s like to serve as the second in command for a federal law enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security.

This event aims to connect students with resources that create opportunities for them to be successful. United States Secret Service Deputy Director Faron K. Paramore will share his career trajectory, insight into his current role, and encouragement to students.

Paramore has direct oversight of the agency's daily investigative and protective operations. He oversees the agency's current policies and implements emerging protective and investigative technologies.

A 33-year veteran of the U.S. Secret Service, Paramore began his career in 1989 as a special agent assigned to the Detroit Field Office. Since then, he has held various leadership positions in public service. 

Washington is an EMU alumna. As executive director, she leads the Department of Homeland Security’s Social Impact office and has led two national campaigns—“If You See Something, Say Something®” and the Blue Campaign to raise awareness of terrorism-related suspicious activity and how to combat human trafficking, respectively. The Office for Social Impact leads experiential learning opportunities and works with youth-serving organizations and others to ensure DHS resources are shared with underserved and underrepresented communities.

DPSA is the first EMU charter high school that provides students with a standardized curriculum and an education about careers in law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services, among others.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.