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.

Quick Access.

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

April 22, 2025

PAL Day at the Penn Ice Rink – April 21st

On Monday night we celebrated the annual Police Athletic League (PAL) Day at the University of Pennsylvania Class of 1923 Ice Skating Rink! This event is open to PAL youths from all PAL centers city-wide. Over 170 attendees participated in…

April 22, 2025

Finals are Almost Here! Remember to Walk-Back with Public Safety!

Walk-Back Program The Division of Public Safety offers the Public Safety Walk-Back Program during reading days and final exams from May 1st to May 13th. An Allied Universal public safety officer will be posted at the “Button” on Woodland Walk…

February 18, 2025

Police Athletic League (PAL) Participants Celebrated Presidents’ Day at the Palestra

Through a partnership with Penn, PAL kids enjoyed their out-of-school time on a college campus and under the guidance of their mentors from the Penn and Philadelphia Police Departments. The University of Pennsylvania Division of Public Safety and Penn Athletics…

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