In his decade of service to the University, Paul Callahan's leadership can be seen in the many partnerships he has helped to create to better serve the campus community. Now Campus Safety Magazine has recognized his efforts by naming him as a runner up for its annual Director of the Year award.
Paul Callahan
Callahan, who serves as assistant vice president of campus safety and chief of police at UA, has worked with University administration, other law enforcement agencies and community organizations to form collaborations that emphasize the sharing of information and resources.
The Campus Safety Magazine awards program, now in its sixth year, was established to honor "those hospital, school and university directors of public safety and security, police chiefs and emergency managers who go above and beyond the call of duty, demonstrating outstanding leadership skills, ingenuity, selflessness and overall achievement."
Three finalists and three runners-up were chosen in the categories of hospital, university and school campus.
"This is a nationwide competition, and so this is quite an honor for Chief Callahan," says Ted Curtis, who oversees University Police in his role as vice president of capital planning and facilities management. "The award recognizes the excellent work done by the chief and his staff here at The University of Akron."
"I am honored by the award," says Callahan. "Over the years, the magazine has recognized a number of very successful community safety professionals in different settings. I am pleased to be included among them.
Collaborations have positive results
"What we are doing is providing efficient, proactive and intelligent police-led safety initiatives to effectively address the safety issues on campus and the nearby neighborhoods, where a large number of our students reside," continues Callahan. "It is very much a collaborative effort that includes the Office of the President, Off-Campus Student Services, our Campus Safety Task Force, Akron Police Department and other partners in the community, is develop initiatives."
The most recent of these, the Safe Neighborhood Initiative, focuses on the University Park neighborhood south of Exchange Street. University Park Alliance, of which UA is a partner, put uniformed Safe Neighborhood security officers to patrol on foot, on bike and in marked vehicles to supplement the patrols by University and city police through the overnight hours. The initiative provides a heightened level of coverage for crime prevention, personal safety and property protection.
"This initiative with UPA fits in well with the goals of Vision 2020 and our efforts to revitalize the campus neighborhoods and improve the quality of life for those who live and work there," adds Callahan. "It is an example of what can be accomplished when we work cooperatively and share resources. It is an accomplishment of which I am most proud."