Central Wyoming College Expands Firearms Training While Launching New Police Academy

RIVERTON, Wyo. — Central Wyoming College (CWC) is expanding its commitment to public safety, criminal justice education, and workforce development through a comprehensive series of firearm training courses in 2026, alongside the launch of its new Police Academy in Fall 2026.

Throughout the summer and early fall terms, CWC will offer National Rifle Association (NRA)–certified firearm courses designed to promote safe, responsible firearm handling while supporting both community members and those pursuing careers in law enforcement. The training emphasizes real-world application, combining classroom instruction with hands-on range experience and advanced simulation technology.

“At Central Wyoming College, we see firearm education as both a constitutional responsibility and a public safety priority,” said Mark Nordeen, Dean of Liberal Arts & Agriculture. “By combining NRA-certified instruction, law enforcement-style training, and advanced simulation tools like our Virtual Firearms Training System, we are building a culture of safe, proficient, and responsible firearm use. This work supports not only community members, but also the next generation of law enforcement professionals.”

2026 SPRING SEMESTER 

NRA Basics of Shotgun Shooting
April 24–25
Friday, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., ITECC 106
Saturday, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., Shoshoni Rifle Range
Instructors: Mark Nordeen, Robert Gonzalez, Hannah Thoman
This 10-hour course includes classroom and range instruction focused on safe gun handling and shooting moving targets.

NRA Home Firearm Safety & NRA Basics of Pistol Shooting
Thursday – Saturday, April 30 – May 2
Thursday & Friday, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., ITECC 106
Saturday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Shoshoni Rifle Range
This combined course introduces firearm safety, safe storage practices, and pistol shooting fundamentals for all experience levels.

2026 SUMMER SEMESTER

NRA Personal Protection in the Home
Thursday – Saturday, May 14–16
Evening sessions at ITECC 106; range day at Shoshoni Rifle Range
Instructors: Mark Nordeen, Robert Gonzalez
Covers defensive shooting skills, home safety strategies, and legal considerations. Students will shoot approximately 100 rounds.

NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home
Thursday – Saturday, June 18–20
Evening sessions at ITECC 106; range day at Shoshoni Rifle Range
Instructors: Mark Nordeen, Robert Gonzalez
Focuses on advanced defensive handgun skills for personal protection outside the home. Approximately 250 rounds will be used.

NRA Defensive Pistol
Friday – Saturday, July 10–11
Evening classroom session; range day at Shoshoni Rifle Range
Instructors: Mark Nordeen, Robert Gonzalez, Hannah Thoman
This course develops a defensive mindset and covers concealed carry techniques, situational awareness, and defensive shooting fundamentals. Students will shoot approximately 200 rounds.

NRA Pistol Instructor
Thursday – Saturday, July 23–25
Classroom sessions at ITECC 106; range day at Shoshoni Rifle Range
Instructors: Mark Nordeen, Robert Gonzalez, Hannah Thoman
Prepares participants to become NRA Certified Pistol Instructors through hands-on teaching practice and instructor certification.

NRA CCW (Concealed Carry)
Friday – Sunday, August 6–8
Classroom sessions at ITECC 106; range day at Shoshoni Rifle Range
Instructors: Mark Nordeen, Robert Gonzalez, Hannah Thoman
Introduces the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to safely carry a concealed pistol for personal defense.

2026 FALL SEMESTER
NRA CCW Instructor
Thursday – Saturday, August 20–22
Classroom sessions at ARTS 133; range day at Shoshoni Rifle Range
Instructors: Mark Nordeen, Robert Gonzalez, Hannah Thoman
Instructor-level training focused on teaching concealed carry, including safe handling, mindset, and defensive techniques.

NRA Personal Protection Inside the Home Instructor
Thursday – Saturday, September 10–12
Classroom sessions at ARTS 133; range day at Shoshoni Rifle Range
Instructors: Mark Nordeen, Robert Gonzalez, Hannah Thoman
Prepares candidates to teach defensive shooting and home protection through practical teaching exercises and certification.

NRA Personal Protection Outside the Home Instructor
Thursday – Saturday, September 17–19
Classroom sessions at ARTS 133; range day at Shoshoni Rifle Range
Instructors: Mark Nordeen, Robert Gonzalez, Hannah Thoman
Advanced instructor course focused on teaching defensive handgun skills for personal protection outside the home.

WY LEO Qualification (Shoot)
Saturday, September 26, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Shoshoni Rifle Range
Instructor: Cody Myers
Designed for intermediate and advanced shooters, this course prepares students to complete the Wyoming law enforcement handgun qualification.

NRA Shotgun Instructor
Thursday – Saturday, October 1–3
Classroom sessions at ARTS 133; range day at Shoshoni Rifle Range
Instructors: Mark Nordeen, Robert Gonzalez
Combines basic instructor training with shotgun instructor certification, including teaching exercises and evaluation.

Courses offered throughout 2026 include instruction in firearm safety, shotgun and pistol fundamentals, defensive shooting, concealed carry, and personal protection both inside and outside the home. Advanced offerings will also prepare participants to become certified firearm instructors. All courses are taught by certified professionals and reflect industry standards used in law enforcement and public safety training.

This expanded training initiative directly complements the development of the Central Wyoming College Police Academy, which will begin offering cohorts in Fall 2026. The academy is designed to provide a regionally accessible pathway into law enforcement, helping address workforce needs across Wyoming—particularly in rural communities.

The CWC Police Academy will deliver the foundational training required for Peace Officer Basic Certification through Wyoming POST. Cadets will receive instruction in criminal law, constitutional policing, ethics, defensive tactics, de-escalation, use-of-force decision-making, firearms, investigations, and community-oriented policing. The program also emphasizes critical soft skills such as communication, professionalism, judgment, and accountability.

“Our graduates don’t just complete a program—they leave with added value that most training programs can’t match,” said Andrew Hanson, CWC Instructor of Criminal Justice. “We are providing a direct pathway into a meaningful career, with training that reflects the realities and expectations of modern policing.”

The academy will incorporate modern, evidence-based defensive tactics and scenario-based training, including firearms simulation and decision-making exercises. Instruction will be delivered by experienced law enforcement officers, attorneys, and criminal justice professionals, reinforcing CWC’s applied, hands-on approach to education.

Located in Riverton, the program strengthens access to high-quality law enforcement training for Central Wyoming and surrounding rural communities. By allowing cadets to train close to home, the academy reduces barriers to entry while supporting local agencies in recruiting well-prepared, community-rooted officers.

The Police Academy builds on CWC’s established Criminal Justice program and the Rocky Mountain Justice Academy, which already provide students and local agencies with advanced training opportunities, including scenario-based firearms instruction and use-of-force analysis.

Together, the expanded firearm training courses and the new Police Academy position Central Wyoming College as a regional leader in public safety education—serving both community members and future law enforcement professionals through a shared focus on safety, responsibility, and excellence.

For more information about firearm training courses or the upcoming Police Academy, contact Mark Nordeen at 307-855-2140 or mnordeen@cwc.edu.

Learn more about admissions or to register for classes, visit www.cwc.edu/admissions or contact Central Wyoming College at admit@cwc.edu or call 307-855-2115.