Congratulations to the finalists in this year’s education category.
The K-12 and college director of the year finalists are:
David DeVoss, Director of Public Safety & Emergency Management, Murray State University, Murray, Ky.
Notable Achievements:
- Worked to have Murray State to become the first public university in the nation and third university in the world to be formally designated as an International Safe Community by the World Health Organization
- Adopted new parking management software, which increased revenue and improved customer service
- Despite budget cuts, was able to adopt upgraded technology, such as online crime mapping
Daniel Dusseau, Chief of Police, Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), Alexandria, Va.
Notable Achievements
- 65% decrease of reported crimes (and an 80% overall decrease since his arrival at NOVA in 2010)
- Acknowledged by the Department of Criminal Justice Services as having one of the best firearms training programs in the state
- Established the Northern Virginia Community Outreach Officers Working Group, comprised of officers from 17 agencies
William Harness, Chief of Police, Conroe Independent School District, Conroe, Texas
Notable Achievements:
- Transformed his department by adopting the community oriented policing model
- Implemented officer training on crisis intervention, verbal de-escalation, dispute resolution and social services intervention
- Adopted a toll-free tip line
Clayton Harris, Vice President/Chief of Police, Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland, Ohio
Notable Achievements:
- Led department’s CALEA accreditation process, resulting in full accreditation
- Developed the campus dignitary protection team, which helps coordinate security for visits from presidents and other high-profile guests
- Replaced the college’s aging fire alarm system with one that is full UL and FM listed
Steve Helms, Director of Environmental Health and Safety, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania, Kutztown, Pa.
Notable Achievements:
- Developed the school’s comprehensive fire safety, lab safety and safety training programs
- Mentors other EHS colleges in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education
- Developed a workplace safety program for campus facilities personnel
Mikel Longman, Chief of Public Safety, Maricopa County Community College District, Tempe, Ariz.
Notable Achievements:
- Procured substantial pay raises for his department personnel
- Reorganized the campus police department, including creating new rules and procedures
- Obtained new equipment for his department, including two-way radios, vehicles, rifles and dispatch center
John McCandless, Chief of Police, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
Notable Achievements:
- Started a K9 program and a computer forensics lab
- Improved community relations with various stakeholders, include parents, other first responders faculty, the media and athletics
- Developed a collaborative portal where local law enforcement agencies can swap services and save resources
