SENTRY Spotlight: William Farmer, DHS Office of University Programs
As a Program Manager at the Office of University Programs within the Science and Technology Directorate of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Will Farmer works closely with two DHS Centers of Excellence (COEs): SENTRY and Critical Infrastructure Resilience Institute (CIRI). For Will, homeland security is more than just a career—it’s an opportunity to make a meaningful impact. He brings a motivation for public service, program management expertise, and a background in biology research to his work.
Will has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in biology from American University. While earning his degrees, he spent four years working in a research lab focused on statistical ecology and evolution. His research included analyzing the community composition of macroinvertebrates in different freshwater environments, such as caves and springs.
After being accepted into the highly competitive Presidential Management Fellowship Program, he transitioned from a research lab to the federal workforce. As a Presidential Management Fellow, he began his career in public service at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in 2019. His tenure spanned the tumultuous days of the COVID-19 pandemic, during which time he was tasked with modeling urgent operational needs to identify and purchase lifesaving and sustaining medicine. His efforts resulted in deliveries to hospitals nationwide, impacting the lives of more than 50,000 people.
His transition to DHS was a natural progression, driven by his dedication to making a difference. He shares, “Working on projects and managing programs whose main goal is to save lives is very rewarding.”
As a DHS Program Manager, he orchestrates the seamless functioning of COEs, ensuring they possess the necessary resources to fortify the homeland security enterprise. His responsibilities span scrutinizing project work plans to ensure alignment with objectives, guaranteeing compliance with federal regulations, fostering stakeholder engagement, and providing feedback and support to COEs. Whether protecting soft targets or enhancing transportation security, he strives to create a safer, more resilient world.
Outside the office, Will tends to an array of herbs, flowers, and vegetables in a community garden plot, fittingly located in a relic Victory Garden. Victory Gardens gained popularity during World War I in response to food shortages and flourished during World War II, becoming a symbol of patriotism and solidarity. Today, these gardens symbolize how civilian mobilization and self-sufficiency can contribute to the greater good. Through his passion for public service, Will aims to create a safer world for future generations, leaving a legacy of resilience and protection akin to that of Victory Gardens.
Will’s crop currently includes:
- Herbs: basil, rosemary, thyme, sage
- Flowers: dahlias, marigolds, gladiolus, daisy, lily, daffodils, bee balm
- Vegetables: carrots, lettuce, radishes, leeks, potatoes, onions, peas, blackberries, strawberries, asparagus, tomatoes, squash, zucchini, cucumbers, peppers, okra, eggplants
