Office of the Vice President

Under the leadership of the Vice President for Public Safety, the Office of the Vice President facilitates the strategic and operational mission of the Division of Public Safety.

The Office of the Vice President (VPO) executes the strategic planning and day-to-day operations of the Division of Public Safety. The team manages all media and community communication in partnership with Penn’s Office of University Communications. The VPO coordinates the collaboration of University-wide participants to produce the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Clery Report). The VPO also designs, brands, and distributes all safety and security collateral.

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Clery Act News & Events Media Requests Request for Materials/Collateral Feedback Contact the Vice President

Photo of Kathleen Shields Anderson, she has shoulder-length brown hair, oval-shaped glasses, and is wearing a blue blazer with a white shirt.

Kathleen Shields Anderson, J.D., MBA

Vice President for Public Safety

Kathleen Shields Anderson serves as Vice President for the Division of Public Safety, overseeing the strategic direction of the Division and its 182 staff members.

Read More About Kathleen Shields Anderson, J.D., MBA

Communications & PR

External Media Requests

All external media inquiries should first contact the Office of University Communications at 215-898-8721.

Request Collateral

We encourage you to be our partners in safety and help promote these many initiatives where possible. All requests for DPS printed material and collateral may contact Stacy Ritchey at 215-898-7515 or sritchey[at]publicsafety.upenn.edu.

Media Inquiries and Copy Review

All internal media inquiries and requests for DPS related information or copy review may contact Stacy Ritchey at 215-898-7515 or .

“Our confidence that the Penn campus is safe was a significant determining factor in choosing Penn over other Universities.”

P.L.

Penn Parent

January 27, 2025

Self-Defense & Empowerment Courses

Special Services offers free-of-charge self-defense classes to ALL Penn affiliates. These self-defense trainings empower individuals through communication and physical defense. Our courses are available through our partnership with Penn’s Division of Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletics (DRIA). They are held at Pottruck…

December 23, 2024

University of Pennsylvania Police Department’s K9 Toby to get donation of body armor

University of Pennsylvania Police Department’s K9 Toby will receive a bullet and stab protective vest thanks to a charitable donation from non-profit organization Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. K9 Toby’s vest is sponsored by Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. and…

December 9, 2024

Tucker PAL Holiday Party at Penn Athletics

On December 05, 2024, DPS coordinated a holiday party for participants from three local Philadelphia Police Athletic League (PAL) centers. Held in the Kozloff Room at the TSE Center thanks to the generous support of Penn Athletics Department, the event…

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