Bob Smith Appointed Director of Public Safety

Bob Smith will take the position of Emerson College’s Director of Public Safety beginning July 9th. Smith currently works for the campus safety departments at Smith College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and previous to that, he worked for 26 years with the Massachusetts State Police Department.

Smith holds two master’s degrees – one in public safety administration from Framingham State University, and one in criminal justice from Anna Maria College – as well as a bachelor’s degree from Suffolk University. In addition, Smith has taken part in professional development programs through institutions such as Harvard University, Northwestern University, Boston University, and the FBI National Academy.

Following the sudden departure of George Noonan this past December, Deputy Chief Scott Borstein stepped in to fill the position temporarily while Christine Hughes, vice president and general counsel at Emerson, began the search for a replacement. Working with her in the search committee for a new director of public safety were associate professor in the Department of Communication Studies Michael Weiler, college conduct coordinator Michael Arno, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion program director Gloria Noronha-Peschau, and students Alexander Ates ’13 and Rebecca Isenhart ’14. President Pelton also provided input for the search, along with Dean of Students Ron Ludman and Associate Vice President of Government and Community Relations Peggy Ings.

By Sarah Ruggiero