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

November 15, 2024

Penn Women’s Basketball Game Night!

What a fun night, and a great game! Many thanks to the Penn Women’s Basketball Team team on hosting a DPS night at the Palestra. It was fantastic to have Penn Police, Allied security, PennComm, and our other DPS departments…

October 28, 2024

Email Scam Warning

There have been reports of a variation on a sextortion email scam being sent to Penn affiliates. Be aware of the signs of this type of email scam, which may be sent to the recipient in the body of an…

October 10, 2024

Share the Road

DPS conducted a fall share-the-road campaign, with an information table on Locust Walk and multiple education locations at intersections along Walnut Street. UPPD officers and DPS personnel educated pedestrians, bicyclists and scooter riders, and drivers on safe means to travel,…

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