Rachel Abraham, evaluation manager, U of A Campus Health
Rachel is the Evaluation Manager where she works with all Campus Health departments to execute their data-related needs. She works closely with Campus Health leadership to help tell the story of the numbers. Rachel is also a proud graduate of the University of Arizona where she received her MPH in Health Policy and Management and loves using health data to aid organizational equity. She currently serves on the CHS Quality Improvement team and uses her free time to earn her DrPH in Health Policy and Management.
Data Analytics and the Changing Face of Safety Resources
Aaron Barnes, director, Counseling and Psych Services, U of A Campus Health
Aaron is a licensed clinical psychologist in the states of Arizona and Maryland. He earned his B.A. in Psychology, M.A. in Clinical Psychology, and PsyD in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Family Systems from Azusa Pacific University.
Data Analytics and the Changing Face of Safety Resources
Missy Freshour, chief of police, Northern Arizona University
Missy Freshour was appointed chief of police and associate vice president of public safety at Northern Arizona University in April of 2021 after serving as interim since October 2020. She additionally served as interim police chief in 2017. Chief Freshour began her law enforcement career in 1993 with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office. In 1998 she became a member of the NAU Police Department.
A large portion of Chief Freshour’s career, and her most favorite assignment, was working in criminal investigations. Additional positions and leadership areas have included internal affairs, community relations, field training officer and coordinator, Clery compliance, and accreditation. Chief Freshour has also served regionally as a member of the Northern Arizona Multiagency Officer Involved Shooting Investigation Team and sits on the board of the Northern Arizona Street Crimes Task Force Metro Unit. Chief Freshour has a Bachelor of Arts in economics from Grinnell College.
Balancing Act: First Amendment and Its Use on College Campuses
Andrea Glass, co-chief executive officer, Emergency Management Collaborations LLC; assistant chief (ret.), Tempe Fire Department
Andrea served with Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department for more than 20 years. Following nearly a decade as a Captain Paramedic, Andrea promoted overseeing the strategic oversight of the Emergency Medical Service Section and retired as the Assistant Fire Chief over community risk reduction.
During this time, Andrea worked alongside the Director of Emergency Management, fellow presenter, Michelle Seitz, to create the Mass Casualty Tracking Reunification Arizona Collaborative (MCTRAC), which now encompasses over 90 agencies working together as a regional approach to mass casualty response and reunification efforts.
Public Safety Partnerships: Large Events and Tech Trends
Jessica Hamar-Martinez, assessment manager, U of A University Initiatives and Policy
Dr. Jessica Hamar Martínez is the Assessment Manager for University Initiatives & Policy. In this role, she collaborates with her colleagues to plan, design, and carry out assessment and research in support of the various initiatives executed by the team. Jessica has several years of experience working at the University of Arizona with previous roles in University Analytics & Institutional Research and the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences. She previously worked at the Pew Research Center as a Senior Researcher, contributing to the Center’s survey research on religion in the United States. Jessica earned her PhD and MA in Sociology from the University of Arizona. She enjoys working with the team and partners across campus to advance institutional priorities and create positive change for the University community.
Data Analytics and the Changing Face of Safety Resources
Christopher Hopkins, manager, Real Time Analysis Center/intel analyst, Arizona State University
Chris is an Arizona native with 30 years of law enforcement and security experience. He retired from the Maricopa County Adult Probation Department as a Surveillance Officer in 2017, after 21 years of service.
Chris started his time with MCAPD in 1995 as a dispatcher and eventually promoted to officer in 1997; his first assignment was with the Sex Offender supervision unit. In 1999 he moved to the Fugitive Apprehension Unit where he stayed for 12 years including a 2-year stint on the US Marshals Child Predator Apprehension Team. In 2011 he returned to field supervision within the department’s Juvenile Remand Sex Offender Unit. Finally, in 2014 Chris transferred to the Domestic Violence supervision unit where he remained until his retirement.
Chris attended Arizona State University where he obtained a degree in justice studies. Chris has also worked closely with the NBA, NHL & MLB in Phoenix providing high profile security protection for celebrities and government officials. Chris made his return to ASU in 2019 as the Crime Prevention Coordinator for the ASU Police Department. In 2022 ASU PD established the Real Time Analysis Center (RTAC), where Chris was named its manager. It was here he began the process of building a real time crime center to operate within a university environment.
Emerging Trends in Campus Safety Technology
Jay Johnson, global crisis manager, Amazon; lieutenant (ret.), Phoenix Police Department Special Assignments Unit (SWAT)
Jay’s role as Global Crisis Manager for Amazon comes on the heels of more than two decades with the Phoenix Police Department. During his time with PHXPD SWAT, Jay handled major incident response to Arizona State University’s downtown Phoenix campus. He has overseen planning and implementation of incident command for large events including Super Bowl fan experiences, the College Football Playoff Championships, the World Series and NBA playoffs. He also serves as a lead instructor for Louisiana State University’s National Center for Biomedical Research and Training, part of the LSU Stephenson Security Programs Institute.
Public Safety Partnerships: Large Events and Tech Trends
Chrissy Lieberman, interim dean of students, University of Arizona
As the interim dean of students, Chrissy offers support to the leaders providing service to our community in the areas of Student Assistance and Accountability, Fraternity and Sorority Programs, Student Governance & Programs, Arizona Student Media, and VETS and ROTC. In her role she oversees First Amendment education and support, Academic Integrity, the Richard H. Tyler Student Emergency Fund, and the Admitted Student Workgroup.
Balancing Act: First Amendment and Its Use on College Campuses
Chris Olson, chief of police, University of Arizona
Chris Olson was appointed assistant vice president and chief of police in December 2023, after serving as interim police chief since May 2023.
Olson started his law enforcement career in 1992. His career began with the Pima College Police Department but then transitioned to the University of Arizona Police Department, where he served as an officer, field training officer, police canine handler, and motorcycle officer from 1994 to 2001. In September of 2001, Olson became a member of the Oro Valley Police Department. He was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 2004 and then to lieutenant in 2006, where he served as the executive officer, and oversaw the specials operations and patrol bureaus. In 2019, he was promoted to the rank of commander, most recently serving as the field services division commander.
His educational background includes a Master of Education in Human Relations from Northern Arizona University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Park University. He is a graduate of the 331st Class of the Northwestern University School of Staff and Command, as well as the 244th Session of the FBI National Academy.
Olson is a Roadway Safety Committee member of the International Association of Chief of Police, Executive Adjunct Board Member of the FBINAA AZ Chapter, and a training committee member of both the FBINAA and the Arizona Association of Chief’s of Police. Olson is currently an adjunct faculty member at the University of Arizona, teaching Police Accountability for the School of Government and Public Policy.
Balancing Act: First Amendment and Its Use on College Campuses
Michelle Seitz, co-chief executive officer, Emergency Management Collaborations LLC; emergency manager (ret.), City of Tempe
Michelle served as the City of Tempe’s Emergency Manager, following nearly two decades serving in Emergency Management roles across the United States.
During her tenure with the City of Tempe, Michelle worked alongside regional partners to train and mitigate mass casualty events from large sporting venues in the city to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, which has one of the busiest runways in the world departing from the edge of Tempe.
During this time, Michelle worked alongside Assistant Fire Chief, fellow presenter, Andrea Glass, to create the Mass Casualty Tracking Reunification Arizona Collaborative (MCTRAC), which now encompasses over 90 agencies working together as a regional approach to mass casualty response and reunification efforts.
Public Safety Partnerships: Large Events and Tech Trends
Brooks Shannon, director, emergency communications solutions, Esri
Brooks Shannon is Esri's Director of Emergency Communications Solutions. He began his career in 9-1-1 over 20 years ago as a software engineer, developing GIS software solutions for public safety. At Esri, he supports the global emergency communications market, which includes emergency call delivery, call-taking, dispatching, and routing first responders for more than 240 million emergency calls that happen in the US alone each year. Brooks is dedicated to applying GIS to solve complex public safety problems and implement GIS best practices to improve outcomes and make our communities safer.
Emerging Trends in Campus Safety Technology
Steven Simmers, analysis division commander, Tucson Police Department
Steven Simmers has dedicated over 20 years to public safety, specializing in modernizing police technology and data-driven strategies. As the Analysis Division Commander for the Tucson Police Department, he has expanded a small eight-person unit into a nearly 50-person division, introducing advanced analytics, graph databases, and collaborative mobile camera deployments. His leadership has earned the unit a reputation as a field leader in innovative police technology.
Steven’s unique approach involves bringing together sworn officers, data engineers, and researchers to make informed decisions that reduce crime, increase efficiency, and enhance community trust. He has managed complex, high-stakes operations—from critical incidents to civil unrest events—using data governance, evidence-based policing, and cutting-edge tools to drive successful outcomes.
Emerging Trends in Campus Safety Technology
John Thompson, chief of police, Arizona State University
Chief John Thompson joined the Arizona State University Police Department in 2005, following a distinguished decade of service with the United States Marine Corps Reserve. Since then, he has played a pivotal role within the ASU Police Department, serving in key leadership positions including Assistant Chief, Support Services Commander, Patrol Commander, Criminal Investigations Bureau Sergeant, and now Chief of Police since September 19, 2024. Over his career, Chief Thompson served the department in various roles, including Patrol Sergeant, Detective, Asset Forfeiture Manager, Terrorism Liaison Officer, Honor Guard Member, Honor Guard Commander, and Field Training Officer.
Balancing Act: First Amendment and Its Use on College Campuses