The 2025 Campus Safety Director of the Year awards celebrated excellence in campus safety and security at the National Campus Safety Conference held in Austin, Texas. Hosted at the Hilton Austin on Wednesday, the event recognized the remarkable achievements of this year’s winners and finalists.
Honoring Excellence in Higher Education Security, Law Enforcement and Emergency Management
Two leaders in the higher education sector demonstrated outstanding contributions to campus safety and were named Directors of the Year in their category.
Jennifer Griffin, Chief of Police and Vice President for Public Safety, Temple University
Jennifer Griffin, Chief of Police and Vice President for Public Safety at Temple University. Photo courtesy Temple University
Griffin’s innovative initiatives have significantly upgraded campus safety at Temple University. Her strategic approaches included implementing community-oriented policing, expanding safety education programs for students and staff, and leveraging advanced technology for rapid incident response. Under her leadership, the university has seen a 28% decrease in burglaries, motor vehicle thefts, thefts from vehicles, and aggravated assaults, fostering a safer and more secure environment. She also signed an agreement with Philadelphia PD allowing it and TUPD to access each other’s video surveillance cameras, as well as installed weapons detection and license plate recognition software on many of the security cameras on campus. Her dedication to proactive measures and collaborative efforts have set a benchmark for campus safety initiatives across the higher education landscape.
Adam Reid, Director of Public Safety, Health, and Emergency Management at Montgomery College. Photo courtesy Montgomery College
Adam Reid, Director of Public Safety, Health, and Emergency Management, Montgomery College
Reid’s leadership has redefined public safety operations at Montgomery College. Under his guidance, Montgomery College has witnessed a transformation in its approach to public safety, health, and emergency management. He restructured his department, removing it from Facilities Management, and embracing the “One College, Three Campus” model with standardized policies and officer uniforms. Another notable achievement was the creation of an integrated emergency response system designed to address a variety of potential crises efficiently. Reid also obtained approval and funding for the addition of an emergency manager to his department. His focus on fostering a culture of preparedness and resilience has been instrumental in enhancing both the physical security and overall sense of safety on campus.
Ingram Champions Safety, Security in Healthcare
Brandon Ingram, Director of Security at Covenant Health. Photo courtesy Covenant Health
Brandon Ingram, Director of Security at Covenant Health in Knoxville, Tenn., was named Director of the Year in the healthcare sector.
Under his guidance, he prioritized the creation of a threat assessment team to ensure hospital personnel were equipped to handle diverse security challenges effectively. Additionally, he implemented the Critical Incident Stress Debriefing model to address the mental well-being of staff and officers, particularly after traumatic incidents such as pediatric patient losses or prolonged exposure to violence. Additionally, he advocated for significant wage increases for frontline officers, resulting in pay hikes ranging from 20-56%, depending on location and other factors. These efforts collectively elevated the standard of security within the healthcare environment, fostering a safer space for both patients and staff.
Recognizing Leadership and Innovation
“Once again, the initiatives and improvements introduced by this year’s Director of the Year nominees were exceptional,” said Campus Safety Editor-in-Chief Robin Hattersley. “The dedication these leaders show to improving safety, fostering innovation, and building stronger communities is nothing short of remarkable.”
The Campus Safety editorial team thanks this year’s exceptional judges for their thoughtful reviews of the nominations. These judges were:
- Guy Bliesner, School Safety Analyst, Idaho Office of School Safety & Security
- Daniel Dusseau, Owner, Dusseau Solutions LLC
- Amanda Guthorn, Associate at Margolis Healy and Interim Director of Security, Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation
- Amy Rock, Executive Editor, Campus Safety
- Gary L. Sigrist, Jr., CEO and President, Safeguard Risk Solutions
- Lisa Terry, CHPA, CPP, Chief Development Officer, Vistelar Conflict Management
Congratulations to the 2025 Campus Safety Director of the Year winners, finalists, and their respective departments!
Director of the Year Nominations Open Soon for 2026
Do you know someone pushing boundaries in campus safety leadership? Nominations for the 2026 Director of the Year program open this fall. Subscribe to Campus Safety’s newsletter to stay informed.
