EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) -- The FBI El Paso Field Office is taking nominations to participate in its Citizens Academy. This is an opportunity for civil, business, religious and community leaders who live or work in the El Paso region to learn more about what the FBI does. The 2025 Spring FBI Citizens Academy Class will be from March 27 to May 2. Nominations must be submitted by Jan. 24. To nominate yourself or someone else to attend the 2025 Spring FBI Citizens Academy Class and learn more about the program, click here. “The FBI Citizens Academy classes bring together a diverse group of leaders from multiple sectors who have a sincere interest in ensuring the people, business, and organizations they represent are better informed to guard against and report crime to ensure a safer future for everyone in the region,” Special Agent in Charge John Morales said. “It’s an opportunity to have very candid, open conversations and build relationships with us and each other that ultimately help us all enhance our ability to protect our families and community.” The FBI Citizens Academy, hosted by the FBI El Paso Field Office, offers a "unique educational experience for civil, business, religious, and community leaders. Participants attend one session each week, exploring a variety of federal criminal violations, jurisdiction, policy, task force collaboration, specialty teams, and more. Past classes have offered an in-depth exploration of the FBI’s investigative priorities including terrorism, counterintelligence, civil rights crimes, cybercrime, public corruption, and violent crime," FBI El Paso said in its news release. All participants are invited to a graduation and an optional learning opportunity at the gun range with FBI firearms instructors to learn and reinforce gun safety and experience the weapons agents are assigned. "FBI Citizens Academy participants graduate with a better understanding of how the FBI El Paso Field Office fulfills its mission within the region and how it partners with law enforcement and the community to prevent violence and investigate crime. All graduates are encouraged to join the local FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association Chapter to continue education and partner in crime prevention to benefit their communities," FBI El Paso said. Candidates must be a recognized leader in their respective communities, live within the FBI El Paso Field Offices region, be at least 21 years old, consent to a limited background check, and agree to attend all scheduled sessions with no more than one excused absence.