Advertise on podcast: Campus Safety Voices

Prioritizing the safety of students and staff on school campuses is expected, and those expectations have grown exponentially in recent years. Prior to this significant shift, safety and security operations often fell under the umbrella of facilities management. While both departments share common goals related to maintaining a safe and secure environment, separating public safety and facilities management is a crucial consideration for many campuses. In this interview, Adam Reid, Vice President of Public Safety, Health and Emergency Management at Montgomery College and a 2025 Campus Safety Director of the Year winner, reflects on his experience with extracting the school's public safety department from facilities management to create its own department. Reid shares: The benefits of pulling safety and security out of facilities management (10:12) Technological improvements made since the department's creation (17:38)The challenges of having multiple campuses and how he has addressed those challenges (00:50)CAMPUS SAFETY SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/CampusSafetyMagazineX: https://x.com/CampusSafetyMagInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/CampusSafetyMagLinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1836305YouTube: @Campussafetymagazine

During a school emergency, it is vital that campus leaders can quickly disseminate critical information to students, staff, and visitors to mitigate potential impact. Utilizing multiple communication channels is also critical, and should include digital signage. Using digital signage software, important messages can be displayed both on television screens and personal devices. And while broadcasting important messages during an incident is critical, often left out of the discussion of campus messaging is the role it plays in preventing emergencies. In this interview, Eric Henry, senior vice president of business architecture at Carousel Signage, a campus messaging software company, discusses: The most common challenges school campuses face regarding emergency messaging (0:38)How campus messaging can be used to improve student wellness and prevent school emergencies (2:17)How Carousel Signage helps simplify emergency messaging for schools (7:33)His predictions for what's next in emergency messaging (10:48)NOTE: Carousel Signage will be exhibiting at the upcoming Campus Safety Conference, happening July 21-23 in Austin. Visit https://campussafetyconference.com/ for more information. CAMPUS SAFETY SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/CampusSafetyMagazineX: https://x.com/CampusSafetyMagInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/CampusSafetyMagLinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1836305YouTube: @Campussafetymagazine

In July 2023, Connecticut's 12 previously independent community colleges merged to create Connecticut State Community College (CSCC), making it the fifth-largest community college in the country. Six months prior to the official merger, Christopher Chute was hired as CSCC's chief of police, tasked with establishing uniform policies, procedures, and preparedness across the various campuses. While the challenges of merging a dozen campuses are plentiful, Chute, a 2025 Campus Safety Director of the Year finalist, was ready to face those challenges head on. In this interview, Chute shares: A general overview of the merger (0:35)The many challenges he faced in the first few months on the job (10:40)What he is most proud of when reflecting on the last two years (15:04)NOTE: The 2025 Campus Safety Director of the Year winners will be announced at this summer’s national Campus Safety Conference, happening July 21-23 in Austin. Visit https://campussafetyconference.com/ for more information. CAMPUS SAFETY SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/CampusSafetyMagazineX: https://x.com/CampusSafetyMagInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/CampusSafetyMagLinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1836305YouTube: @Campussafetymagazine

During routine police patrols, officers regularly navigate assigned areas in their vehicles, monitoring for suspicious activity, enforcing traffic laws, and responding to calls for service. While these are necessary functions of a police department, just as important is the need for officers to ingrain themselves in the fabric of a community. This is particularly true for law enforcement officers who work on educational campuses. In this interview, Dr. Jennifer Griffin, Chief of Police and Vice President of Public Safety at Temple University and a 2025 Campus Safety Director of the Year finalist, shares her strategies for increasing officer visibility while also improving safety and security (0:43). Griffin also shares How Temple collaborates with the Philadelphia Police Department (4:39)Her inspiration for establishing the Student Safety Advisory Committee (12:23)How her team has created opportunities for students to learn more about policing (15:25) NOTE: The 2025 Campus Safety Director of the Year winners will be announced at this summer’s national Campus Safety Conference, happening July 21-23 in Austin. Visit https://campussafetyconference.com/ for more information. CAMPUS SAFETY SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: • Facebook: https://facebook.com/CampusSafetyMagazine • X: https://x.com/CampusSafetyMag • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CampusSafetyMag • LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1836305 • YouTube: @Campussafetymagazine CAMPUS SAFETY SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/CampusSafetyMagazineX: https://x.com/CampusSafetyMagInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/CampusSafetyMagLinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1836305YouTube: @Campussafetymagazine

Graduation season is upon us, and while it's a time for celebration, it is also a time that leaves campuses vulnerable to security threats.  Over the years, more and more schools, particularly colleges and universities, have turned to weapons detection systems to enhance their graduation safety and security plans.  In this interview, Peter Evans, CEO of Xtract One Technologies, a weapons detection company, discusses: The challenges of securing graduation ceremonies (0:28 and 5:54)How to quell fears surrounding weapons detection (3:59)Weapons detection policies and procedures must-haves for graduation ceremonies (8:17)The ancillary benefits of deploying weapons detection systems on campus (9:59)A recent install at Bowie State University and the school's main goals (15:16)Xtract One's recent awarding of the Department of Homeland Security's SAFETY Act designation (18:07)CAMPUS SAFETY SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/CampusSafetyMagazineX: https://x.com/CampusSafetyMagInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/CampusSafetyMagLinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1836305YouTube: @Campussafetymagazine

Low attrition rates are always a goal for police and public safety departments, but various factors have made that particularly difficult in recent years. A 2023 study found police resignations increased 47% from 2019 to 2022. Retirements also rose by 19% during the same period, and new officer hiring dropped by 5%. Despite these statistics, St. Louis University's Public Safety Department has its lowest attrition rate in years. During this interview, Associate Vice President and Chief Melinda Heikkinen, a 2025 Campus Safety Director of the Year finalist, discusses the methods she uses to keep attrition low (5:13), as well as: How she improved the school's safety app (0:39 and 3:17)How the department ensures safety protocols are sensitive to the needs of all students, particularly those from marginalized communities (1:51)NOTE: The 2025 Campus Safety Director of the Year winners will be announced at this summer’s national Campus Safety Conference, happening July 21-23 in Austin. Visit https://campussafetyconference.com/ for more information. CAMPUS SAFETY SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS: Facebook: https://facebook.com/CampusSafetyMagazineX: https://x.com/CampusSafetyMagInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/CampusSafetyMagLinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1836305YouTube: @CampussafetymagazineCAMPUS SAFETY SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/CampusSafetyMagazineX: https://x.com/CampusSafetyMagInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/CampusSafetyMagLinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1836305YouTube: @Campussafetymagazine

In recent years, many college campuses have transitioned from unarmed campus security or police departments to armed or hybrid ones. While this massive undertaking requires much research and planning, Felix Martinez, director of public safety at St. Mary's College of Maryland, says transparency was always a top priority when his campus was considering the switch. In this discussion, Martinez discusses how he remained transparent throughout the transition and emphasized time and time again that weapons are merely one of many tools and an absolute last resort for de-escalating a situation (7:23). Martinez also shared:  How he has helped improve officer morale (2:34)How he views community policing (3:41)How he obtained a $375,000 grant for security cameras (12:15)NOTE: The 2025 Campus Safety Director of the Year winners will be announced at this summer’s national Campus Safety Conference, happening July 21-23 in Austin. Visit https://campussafetyconference.com/ for more information. CAMPUS SAFETY SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/CampusSafetyMagazineX: https://x.com/CampusSafetyMagInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/CampusSafetyMagLinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1836305YouTube: @Campussafetymagazine

When Tiffany Justice joined Goucher College as the director of campus safety, the department was using contract security. Justice successfully advocated for switching the department to in-house security, allowing her to hand-pick a team that genuinely believes in the department's mission and values. During this interview, Justice shares: Her motivations behind transitioning to in-house security (3:59)Challenges she faced during the transition (5:31)The benefits of to in-house security (6:58)Advice for college campuses that might be considering a similar endeavor (9:05)Her motivation behind rewriting the department's mission statement and what the new statement emphasizes (0:33)*NOTE: The 2025 Campus Safety Director of the Year winners will be announced at this summer’s national Campus Safety Conference, happening July 21-23 in Austin. Visit https://campussafetyconference.com/ for more information. CAMPUS SAFETY SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/CampusSafetyMagazineX: https://x.com/CampusSafetyMagInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/CampusSafetyMagLinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1836305YouTube: @Campussafetymagazine

Various studies have shown the positive impact therapy animals have on the mental health of college students, and one source estimates 60% of U.S. colleges and universities have a pet therapy program in place. One of the biggest hesitations among campus safety leaders in considering animal therapy programs is the assumption that it is costly. Ramona Washington, chief of the University of North Texas (UNT) Police Department and a 2025 Campus Safety Director of the Year Finalist, shares her experience with procuring a therapy dog, including associated costs and its benefits for both students and staff (8:43-16:46). During this interview, Washington also discusses: The establishment of a threat assessment sergeant position within the department (0:31)Incidents that have showed the importance of this position (5:33) NOTE: The 2025 Campus Safety Director of the Year winners will be announced at this summer’s national Campus Safety Conference, happening July 21-23 in Austin. Visit https://campussafetyconference.com/ for more information.CAMPUS SAFETY SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/CampusSafetyMagazineX: https://x.com/CampusSafetyMagInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/CampusSafetyMagLinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1836305YouTube: @Campussafetymagazine

Since the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School tragedy, seven states have established versions of Alyssa's Law, mandating all public elementary and secondary school buildings be equipped with silent panic alarms that directly notify law enforcement of an incident. Similar legislation is also pending in 13 other states. In this interview, Lauren Kravetz, VP of Government Affairs at Intrado Life & Safety, discusses why she believes a federal version of Alyssa's Law could have a transformative impact school safety nationwide (1:11). Kravetz also discusses: Two federal versions of Alyssa's Law currently being considered (4:48)Strategies schools and agencies have garnered to ensure unified integration between schools, law enforcement, and emergency first responders (12:28)Which federal agencies should be involved in establishing guidelines for a federal Alyssa's Law (15:18)Her predictions on the timeline for the passing of a federal Alyssa's Law (17:14)CAMPUS SAFETY SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/CampusSafetyMagazineX: https://x.com/CampusSafetyMagInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/CampusSafetyMagLinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1836305YouTube: @Campussafetymagazine

U.S. motorists can't recall 68% of key information following a crash and 44% failed to identify the car at fault for a traffic incident, according to recent study. Another study found 70% of drivers want a build-in dashboard camera on their next new vehicle. Whatever the reason, footage from dash cams has been used countless times in motor vehicle crash investigations. Several years ago, Liberty Public School District 53 in Liberty, Mo., used footage from school bus surveillance cameras to apprehend a hit-and-run driver who rear-ended a school bus (15:47). "I was in the bus on the video [live stream] before anything happened. We actually could see the car, get a description, and the driver got the license," Jeff Baird, the district's former transportation manager who now works for Transportant, told Campus Safety. "Within 17 minutes, the police had the car apprehended based on the direction he turned and that's unheard of. I could also look in at the five cameras and see that no kids were hurt." In this interview, Baird also shares: How the district used footage for a student wellness investigation (18:10)Other school bus safety solution capabilities that enhance student safety (13:58)What he thinks are some must-haves for school bus safety technology solutions (19:00)Why school bus drivers must be included in school safety discussions (1:35)An incident at Liberty that highlights the importance of school bus driver training (3:25)The importance of sharing student medical concerns with school bus drivers (11:33)Challenges he faced as transportation manager (5:04)What he wishes he knew in his role as transportation manager that would have helped him do his job even better (21:13)CAMPUS SAFETY SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/CampusSafetyMagazineX: https://x.com/CampusSafetyMagInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/CampusSafetyMagLinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1836305YouTube: @Campussafetymagazine

Many schools have behavioral threat assessment and management systems in place that monitor student behavior for warning signs of potential violence. The primary goal of these technologies is to evaluate the difference between making a threat and posing a threat to a school community, and then building a plan that supports the safety of the entire community. A major issue, however, is the lack of information sharing between parties that could potentially help with providing student supports. Many schools have attributed prevented acts of violence or self-harm to a campus culture that urges and prioritizes sharing vital information with multiple stakeholders. Campus Safety spoke with Rohan Galloway-Dawkins, Chief Product Officer at Versaterm, about: The benefits of digitizing and centralizing knowledge to help authorized staff identify warning signs among students (1:22)Who he recommends be a part of monitoring student data (4:36)Strategies for developing action plans to intervene once a concerning behavior is identified (7:33)Why there is no one-size-fits-all plan for supporting students who exhibit warning signs of potential violence (8:50)Funding available for schools looking to implement case management technology (10:45)CAMPUS SAFETY SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/CampusSafetyMagazineX: https://x.com/CampusSafetyMagInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/CampusSafetyMagLinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1836305YouTube: @Campussafetymagazine

While there are ongoing discussions within the K-12 world about banning cell phones in the classroom, there are many scenarios where quick access to a cellular device could improve student and staff safety.  However, K-12 schools and college campuses historically have poor cellular coverage as many educational buildings were erected well before cell phones were invented. Poor cellular connectivity also hinders the effective integration of educational technology in classrooms, something that will only become more prevalent as artificial intelligence capabilities continue to grow. In this interview with Campus Safety, Stephen Kowal, Chief Commercial Officer of Nextivity, a telecommunications company, discusses: His views on cell phones bans or restrictions in schools (0:34 and 11:03)The potential dangers of banning cell phones in schools (3:47)Three different types of connectivity and how they impact schools (5:18)Why some schools may not be prioritizing connectivity in new builds (8:16)Channels of funding schools can access for improved connectivity (9:42)Additional advice for schools that may be having issues with connectivity (13:19)CAMPUS SAFETY SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/CampusSafetyMagazineX: https://x.com/CampusSafetyMagInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/CampusSafetyMagLinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1836305YouTube: @Campussafetymagazine

On college campuses, sexual assaults account for 43% of total on-campus crimes. Marginalized groups are at an even higher risk for sexual violence, including people of color and LGBTQ+ students. To address these concerns, Sewanee: The University of the South, established the C.P.R. in Action Initiative, a comprehensive program that integrates Compliance, Prevention, and Resources to address sexual violence and improve the overall safety and well-being of all students. C.P.R. in Action received the 2024 Clery Center Campus Safety Impact Award which recognizes a program or initiative that enhances safety on a college campus through innovation, collaboration, and equity. Dr. Sylvia Gray, Sewanee’s Senior Director of Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX, and Dr. Rachel Fredericks, Sewanee’s Director of Inclusive Excellence, spoke with Campus Safety about the program, including: How data was used to inform the establishment of C.P.R. in Action (2:57)Who was involved in creating the C.P.R. in Action Initiative (5:26)The impact the initiative has made since it was established in 2021 (8:16)Direct feedback received from students and faculty about the initiative (12:01)Advice for campuses looking to mitigate sexual violence on campus (15:24)CAMPUS SAFETY SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/CampusSafetyMagazineX: https://x.com/CampusSafetyMagInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/CampusSafetyMagLinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1836305YouTube: @Campussafetymagazine

More than 80% of college students are struggling emotionally at least somewhat, with more than 25% reporting they are struggling significantly, according to one recent report. Addressing these mental health challenges can be particularly difficult for smaller colleges with fewer financial resources.  Eight years ago, the Endeavor Foundation, a nonprofit, convened a group of presidents from 12 extremely small liberal arts colleges -- think 750 students or less -- to share their struggles and ideas. This February, the foundation announced $3 million in grant funding for colleges within the collaborative to develop and implement pilot projects that address student wellness.  In this interview, Ali Tartaglia, associate dean and director of integrative wellness at Bennington College, a participating campus, and Isabel Roche, executive director for special programs in higher education at the Endeavor Foundation, discuss the benefits of the collaboration as well as how Bennington is using the funding to implement the Applied Suicidal Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) Program. During this discussion, Tartaglia and Roche also share: What makes ASIST a comprehensive program (17:39)More about the grants provided by the Endeavor Foundation (12:45)Advice from colleges looking to obtain grant money for improving mental health (19:33)Action items for campuses to improve student mental health (23:16)CAMPUS SAFETY SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/CampusSafetyMagazineX: https://x.com/CampusSafetyMagInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/CampusSafetyMagLinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1836305YouTube: @CampussafetymagazineCAMPUS SAFETY SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:  Facebook: https://facebook.com/CampusSafetyMagazineX: https://x.com/CampusSafetyMagInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/CampusSafetyMagLinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1836305YouTube: @Campussafetymagazine