Wooster Appoints Joe Kirk as new Director of Campus Security and Protective Services

The College of Wooster announced Tuesday that Joe Louis Kirk, Jr. will serve as its new Director of Security and Protective Services (SPS), replacing Steve Glick who will move to a new role overseeing campus emergency preparedness. Kirk, who has worked at Wooster for the past 24 years and most recently served for nine years as associate director of security and protective services, will assume his new role August 17.
“Joe brings years of experience, knowledge and dedication to this role, and he holds a deep commitment to student well-being,” said Sarah Bolton, president of The College of Wooster. “His longstanding engagement both as a senior officer in SPS and as a trusted partner and collaborator on a variety of programs, taskforces and student-life initiatives will accelerate our efforts to strengthen a culture of equity, inclusion and safety for everyone. I am delighted that he is going to lead the department.”
Joe joined SPS at Wooster in 1996 and became certified as a Campus Crime Prevention Professional in 1998 through the Campus Crime Prevention Institute. Joe’s responsibilities at Wooster have included administering building safety trainings, overseeing fire safety, managing a variety of staff roles, implementing professional standards, and directing campus compliance under the Clery Campus Crime Act. He has served every year as a volunteer with the ARCH summer orientation program, which introduces new students to Wooster, has contributed to a number of search committees, and is actively involved with several community-based organizations.
Prior to Wooster, Joe spent 16 years working in a variety of residential life, safety, and security roles at the University of Pennsylvania.
As Wooster’s new chief safety officer, Joe will oversee campus-wide security and safety programs and lead the department’s efforts to connect staff more closely with students and their campus life experience and encourage them to be actively involved in the initiatives and changes that will take place over time.
“A strong community working in partnership with the department makes for a safe and secure campus,” said Kirk. “I am excited for this next opportunity and look forward to continuing to establish lasting relationships with our campus community through credibility and a collaborative approach.”
Reporting to Myrna Hernández, Wooster’s Interim Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students, Joe will work closely with partners in the community as well as the Dean of Students’ Office, Longbrake Student Wellness Center, Center for Diversity and Inclusion, Title IX and Sexual Violence, Student Rights and Responsibilities, and Emergency Preparedness on continuous improvement, campus relations, reporting, and all other aspects of safety across campus.
“Joe cares very deeply about the College of Wooster and the staff and students here,” said Hernández. “His warmth and compassion are going to set a great example for those in the department and I think students are going to see and feel his approach in the services they receive.”
Joe holds a Bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Pennsylvania. He is married and has seven children.

Posted in News on August 12, 2020.