J. Austin Powell

CFE, M.A., Executive Certificate in Public Policy (Doctoral-Level)

J. Austin Powell is a retired law enforcement professional and educator with nearly 30 years of experience at the local and federal levels. His career included senior policy advisory roles, testimony before a state General Assembly, and contributions to federal legislation signed into law by the President. He is a Certified Fraud Examiner and serves on the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners’ Advisory Council.

Mr. Powell brings this real-world experience into the classroom, where he teaches civics, criminal justice, forensic science, leadership, and public safety from a biblical worldview. His instruction emphasizes critical thinking, respectful dialogue, and helping students understand how faith, history, and government intersect in practical and meaningful ways. He has taught at multiple institutions and is known for engaging students with both academic rigor and real-world application.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Government and Politics from the University of Maryland, a Master of Arts from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, and a doctoral-level Executive Certificate in Public Policy from Liberty University’s Helms School of Government. He is also a graduate of the Southern Police Institute and the FBI-LEEDA Executive Leadership Institute.

In addition to teaching, Mr. Powell is an executive coach, speaker, and trainer who works with public service professionals on leadership, ethics, and resilience. He is also a Florida Supreme Court–trained mediator and arbitrator, bringing a facilitative, balanced approach to conflict resolution, communication, and principled decision-making that informs both his professional work and his classroom instruction.

He lives in Florida with his wife of 30 years, their puppy Finley, and their two adult daughters (and one grand dog), and enjoys traveling, biking, and reading.