Announcing DU’s New Chief of Campus Safety, Courtney Tassin
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The is pleased to announce the appointment ofCourtney Tassinas our nextassociatevicechancellor andchief ofcampussafety, effective late fall 2025.Thank you to our search committee, chaired by Associate Vice Chancellor of Government Relations and Community Affairs Stephanie O’Malley, for their thoughtful collaboration during this process.
Tassinbrings more than a decade of nationally recognized experience in crisis response, mental health intervention, and multidisciplinary public safety strategy. Her career reflects a deep commitment to community well-being and innovative approaches to safety that prioritize dignity, trust, and collaboration.
Most recently,Tassinserved as adomesticsecuritystrategist with the U.S. Secret Service’s National Threat Assessment Center, where she led operations across a seven-state region and partnered with educational institutions, law enforcement agencies, and private-sector organizations to strengthen violence-prevention and threat-management strategies. She has developed and implemented frameworks that have improved campus-wide safety protocols and enhanced community trust at major universities nationwide.
Tassin’sbackground in mental health and crisis intervention is equally distinguished. Ascrisisinterventionprogrammanager for the City of Aurora, she launched and oversaw five multidisciplinary crisis programs, including an internationally recognized targeted violence prevention initiative and a co-responder model pairing mental health professionals with emergency medical personnel. Her leadership in these programs resulted in measurable improvements in public safety, cost savings for the community, and lives saved through effective de-escalation and intervention strategies.
A proud alumna,Tassinearned hermaster of arts in forensic psychology at DU, complementing herbachelor ofscienceinpsychology from Louisiana State University. She is a licensed professional counselor, a certified threat manager, and a Department of Homeland Security NTER master trainer. These credentials underscore herexpertisein behavioral health, threat management, and public safety collaboration.
“It is truly an honor to return to the community as theassociatevicechancellor andchief ofcampussafety,”Tassinsaid.“I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who contributed their time and effort throughout the search process, to the Department of Campus Safety staff for their professionalism and resilience, and to Interim Chief Joe Samels and the DCS commandstaff for their leadership during this transition. Campus safety is a shared responsibility—one that belongs to all of us. Together, with our exceptional Department of Campus Safety, I am enthusiastic to partner with our students, faculty, staff, and the greater DU community to build a culture of safety rooted in connection, innovation, and integrity.”
Tassin’sappointment marks an essential step in advancing DU’s vision for campus safety—one rooted in dignity-centered leadership, community caretaking, and strategic preparedness. Please join us in welcomingherback to DU as we work together to build a campus safety program that is trusted, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of our diverse community.
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Chief Risk and Compliance Officer
Search Committee
Stephanie O’Malley, Search Chair, University Relations
Ajenai Clemmons, Faculty Representative
Kristin Deal, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Stephanie George, Faculty Representative
Abigail Girard, Staff Senate
Shira Good, University Relations
Molly Hooker, Equal Opportunity & Title IX
Selina Kirwan, Athletics
KadiMampoya, Graduate Student Government
Kristine McCaslin, Student Rights and Responsibilities
Philip Tedeschi, Faculty Representative
Ethan Turner, Undergraduate Student Government
Withexceptional support fromFatima Rezaie and Christina Beck