Arizona Campus Safety Summit 2026

March 19 | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

University of Arizona Student Union, Tucson

The People Behind Safety

This year's summit recognizes the dedication, challenges and personal experiences of those working to keep university communities safe and the impact on the community members they serve.

KEYNOTE: Chin Rodger | 9 to 10 a.m.

Chin Rodger is a passionate advocate for violence prevention and threat assessment. She is the mother of Elliot Rodger, the perpetrator of the Isla Vista tragedy in 2014, whose name is synonymous with the incel movement.

Following the tragic actions of her son, she embarked on a journey to understand the warning signs that were missed and to help others prevent similar tragedies. Since sharing her story at the 2022 Association of Threat Assessment Professionals Threat Management Conference, she has become a sought-after speaker, invited by the FBI, DHS and law enforcement agencies across the country to speak on threat assessment, school safety, and violence prevention.

Drawing from deeply personal experience, Chin emphasizes the importance of early intervention and encourages families to learn about threat assessment and to recognize the subtle signs, behaviors and circumstances and seek help before they take that dangerous turn towards hate, revenge and violence.

She has facilitated scholarships for ATAP law enforcement training since August 2022 and remains committed to supporting the law enforcement and mental health communities.

Chin is a board member of The Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement where she works alongside Scarlett Lewis (mother of Jesse Lewis - Sandy Hook tragedy) to foster emotional wellness and kindness in schools and communities. She also dedicates herself to global humanitarian efforts, supporting initiatives like World Central Kitchen in Ukraine, Poland, North Carolina, and California.

She serves on the board of the Mom I See War Foundation, is an Advisory Board Member for Parents for Peace, and is an active volunteer with the veteran-led disaster response organization Team Rubicon. Through all her work, Chin strives to turn personal loss into purpose, helping to create safer, more compassionate communities.

UAPD officer socializes with students, who are smiling.

The Arizona Campus Safety Summit is an opportunity for safety officials and their regional community partners who work for or collaborate with Arizona higher education institutions to share ideas, opportunities and successes in improving safety. Panels and speakers present strategies for preparedness, response, recovery, threat management, best practices and emerging trends in campus safety.

Summit Sessions

Preventing tragedy: Understanding targeted violence and the importance of threat assessment and management

10 to 11 a.m. | Main Ballroom

Targeted violence, including school shootings, has become a significant fear in higher education spaces. This presentation will enhance attendees’ understanding of the pathway to targeted violence, discuss warning behaviors for targeted violence, and highlight the importance of the threat assessment and management approach in preventing tragedies.

Jessie Semmann, PhD, Director, Threat Assessment and Management Team, U of A

Building a culture of safety: Strategy, practice and impact

11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. | Main Ballroom

University of Arizona safety leaders share their experiences on how strategic priorities have shaped safety practices across academic, operational and community spaces. Attendees will gain insight into how leadership-driven initiatives support sustainable cultural change.

Eric Kazmierczak, Deputy Chief Safety Officer
Chris Olson, Chief, University of Arizona Police Department
Steve Patterson, Chief Safety Officer

TAMT at the University of Arizona: A proactive, team approach to campus safety

1:15 – 2:15 p.m. | Catalina Room

Members of the U of A Threat Assessment and Management Team discuss the team and its role in identifying, assessing and addressing concerning behaviors before they escalate. Panelists highlight how TAMT uses a collaborative, supportive approach to connect individuals with resources while strengthening violence prevention and campus safety. Concludes with time for Q&A.

Aaron T. Barnes, PsyD, Director, Counseling and Psych Servies (CAPS)
Rosanna Curti, Associate Dean, Student Assistance and Accountability
Detective John Guetersloh, Mental Health Support Team, UAPD
Adam Lawson, Case Coordinator, TAMT
Clarisa Robles Parra, Chief of Staff, Office of the Provost
Moderator: Jessie Semmann, Director, TAMT

Struggle Well: Building mental health and resilience in high-stress professions

1:15 – 2:15 p.m. | Sabino Room

This session introduces a prevention-focused program to support mental health and resilience for first responder agencies and military units. Attendees will learn about the core approach of Struggle Well, and how it has been implemented in public safety agencies to strengthen coping skills, foster well-being and support individuals through challenge and change. Concludes with time for Q&A and discussion on broader applicability of the approach.

Rob Brandt, Director, Struggle Well Region 5

Shared voices, shared responsibility: Student and institutional perspectives on building a shared culture of safety

2:30 – 3:30 p.m. | Catalina Room

This panel brings together members of the U of A Campus Safety Commission and Associated Students of the University of Arizona (ASUA) student leaders to discuss campus safety from both institutional and student perspectives. Panelists will explore collaboration, accountability and personal experiences to identify opportunities for strengthening trust and communication across the university. Concludes with time for Q&A.

Faculty, staff and student members of the Campus Safety Commission
Moderator: Steve Patterson, Chief Safety Officer, U of A

Shaping the culture of policing: Insights from university police chiefs

2:30 – 3:30 p.m. | Sabino Room

Police chiefs from four higher education institutions will discuss how leadership, values and strategy shape their campus policing culture. Each chief will highlight best practices, collaborative approaches and initiatives that have helped build trust, accountability and safety across diverse university communities. Concludes with time for Q&A.

Blair Barfuss, Chief, Maricopa County Community Colleges Police Department
Missy Freshour, Chief, NAU Police Department
Chris Olson, Chief, UAPD
John Thompson, Chief, ASU Police Department
Moderator: Corey Doggett, Deputy Chief, UAPD

Large events and campus collaboration: Ensuring safety through partnerships

3:45 – 4:45 p.m. | Catalina Room

Panelists from safety, event planning and emergency medical teams explore strategies for planning and managing large events while maintaining a safe, inclusive campus environment. Attendees will learn how cross-departmental collaboration, communication and shared resources support successful events at the U of A and strengthen overall campus safety. Concludes with time for Q&A.

Claudia Davila, Director, Commencement and Ceremonies, Presidential Events
Steve Simmers, Director, Real-Time Coordination Center
Louie Valenzuela, Director, Emergency Management
Joe Janosko, Chief, U of A Emergency Medical Services
Alex Caprau, Understudy Chief and Executive Director, U of A Emergency Medical Services

Psychological Safety as a leadership practice: Strategies for safer teams and better decisions

3:45 – 4:45 p.m. | Sabino Room

This session examines psychological safety as a foundational element of effective safety culture, emphasizing trust, clarity, and human-centered leadership. Participants will explore how leadership behaviors, communication practices and organizational systems shape whether people feel safe to speak up, ask questions and share concerns. The presentation focuses on practical strategies that strengthen decision making, accountability and collaboration across campus operations—supporting the safety of students, faculty, staff and the public. Concludes with time for Q&A.

Charity Madrid-Torres, Health/Safety Officer, U of A

Summit Schedule

Time	Location	Event
8-8:30 a.m.	Main	Check in and light breakfast
8:30-8:50 a.m.	Main	Welcome and Safety Laureate presentation
9-10 a.m.	Main	Keynote: Chin Rodger
10-11 a.m.	Main	Preventing tragedy: Understanding targeted violence and the importance of threat assessment and management
11-11:15 a.m.		Break
11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.	Main	Building a culture of safety: Strategy, practice and impact
12:15-1:15		Lunch
1:15-2:15 p.m.	Catalina	TAMT at the University of Arizona: A proactive, team approach to campus safety
1:15-2:15 p.m.	Sabino	Struggle Well: Building mental health and resilience in high-stress professions
2:15-2:30 p.m.		Break
2:30-3:30 p.m.	Catalina	Shared voices, shared responsibility: Student and institutional perspectives on building a shared culture of safety
2:30-3:30 p.m.	Sabino	Shaping the culture of policing: Insights from university police chiefs
3:30-3:45 p.m.		Break
3:45-4:45 p.m.	Catalina	Large events and campus collaboration: Ensuring safety through partnerships
3:45-4:45 p.m.	Sabino	Psychological Safety as a leadership practice: Practical strategies for safer teams and better decisions
4:45 p.m.	Main	Closing remarks

Summit Registration Guidelines

Registration will be limited to those currently working in or collaborating with Arizona higher education institutions within the following departments or offices: police, fire, EMS, public safety, risk management, emergency management, general counsel, threat assessment, or dean of students. Registration confirmation and organization ID will be required for entrance to the summit.