HPU Police Win National Award for Best Practices in Campus Safety
Pictured from left are Major Jay Atkins, Capt. Lori Stutts, Major Derek Stafford, Chief Debra Duncan with the NASPA Campus Safety Award, Lt. Jermaine Artis and Officer Jamie Dillard.
HIGH POINT, N.C., March 12, 2024 – High Point University Campus Police received the Best Practices in Campus Safety Award from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Campus Safety and Violence Prevention Knowledge Community during the annual NASPA conference from March 9-13 in Seattle, Washington. HPU was one of just five higher education institutions across the nation honored at the annual conference.
The NASPA Campus Safety and Violence Prevention Knowledge Community recognized HPU for its newly formed campus police department. HPU expanded its security force and established campus police because it has experienced transformational growth since 2005. An inaugural group of officers was sworn-in last year.
“We applied for the award because we believe that our efforts in establishing a new campus police department, coupled with our emphasis on community partnerships, including a strong relationship with the Office of Student Life, is noteworthy,” said HPU Chief Debra Duncan. “HPU makes safety a priority, and forging a positive relationship with students is a very important part in being able to maintain a safe campus. Our security officers are a big part in assisting in that effort, and our police officers would not be able to do what we do without them. We all share pride in this recognition. We are serious in the safety and security of our campus, and being recognized for the best practices in campus safety highlights our commitment.”
The NASPA Campus Safety and Violence Prevention Knowledge Community is a forum for all higher education administrators responsible for the safety, security and emotional needs of the campus community and institution. The forum encourages its members to interact and share ideas, best practices, resources and research, fostering collaboration, awareness and support for campus safety.