At High Point University in High Point, North Carolina, the tag line is “Every student receives an extraordinary education in an inspiring environment with caring people.” The HPU Security, Transportation and Emergency Preparedness, and Safety Departments’ mission mirrors that of the university: “to provide service, promote safety, and protect assets in a caring manner,” says Jeff Karpovich, CPP, CHPA, Chief of Security and Director of Transportation at HPU. Since starting in his position seven years ago with 12 employees and one department, Karpovich has expanded that number to 120 employees and three departments.
Karpovich’s team has contributed greatly to the school’s reputation as a safe campus and kept crime to a minimum. As a result, the security program is a good marketing tool for the university. “More and more students want to attend this university because they feel one of their basic needs, safety, will be met,” Karpovich says.