Wabash President Pat White has announced that Richard G. Woods has been hired as Director of Safety and Security at Wabash College. Woods will be a member of the Student Life team and report to Dean of Students Michael P. Raters.
"Having served in comparable positions at two institutions, Susquehanna University and Capital University, Rich Woods brings extensive experience that will help us all understand and respond to our safety and security needs at Wabash," said President White. "Rich has been recognized by students for his positive impact, and I look forward to his leadership in this important area at Wabash."
Woods has worked in safety and security in higher education since 1980, and as a private consultant has special expertise in public safety and security for personnel and facilities on private college campuses, including emergency management programs. He is also experienced in building partnerships with local and regional law enforcement agencies.
"I'm excited to have Rich join the campus community," said Dean Raters. "He brings a wealth of knowledge, an engaging approach, and a keen interest in student development to this position. Having served as both a fraternity adviser and Associate Dean of Students in his career, Rich is well-prepared to embrace our student-centered campus culture."
In 1986, Woods joined the staff at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, where he served as Associate Dean of Students for Operations and Director of Public Safety. In that position, he reorganized the entire security department, while developing procedural manuals and security officer training programs.
In 2003, Woods left Susquehanna to assume the position of Director of Public Safety at Capital University in Columbus, Ohio, where he created an all-new professional safety and security program that previously had been outsourced. Woods was promoted to Assistant Vice President of Auxiliary Services in 2004, and was responsible for police and parking services, the bookstore, food service, the mailroom, and event services.
Dean Raters thinks Woods’ arrival on the Wabash campus midway through the spring semester is ideal.
"His arrival at this juncture in the year provides a great opportunity for him to get a feel for the campus and our culture, assess our current safety and security status, identify needs, and formulate strategies for resolving those in a timely, prudent, and effective fashion," Raters said.
Woods comes to Wabash after spending two years as the Chief Park Ranger at the Prince William County Park Authority in Virginia.
Woods began his career in the United States Air Force as a member of the Security Police. He later worked in the Department of Public Safety at Northwestern University from 1975-83, before spending 11 years with the Creighton University Department of Public Safety.
He has an associate’s degree in police science from the College of Lake County and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from the University of Nebraska. He is a member of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, the National Association of College Auxiliary Services, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Woods assumed his position at Wabash on March 9, 2009.