Dr. Gerald Robert Harkins: Doctor, Soldier, Leader!
“Each year, 25 percent of our population turns over, and we start over to get buy-in, keep their attention and have them take appropriate action for their safety.”
“When I had the opportunity to move from parking and transportation at the University to leading the strategic security and safety effort on campus, we made a very strategic and important decision to build the structure to be broader than law enforcement. We incorporated all aspects of campus safety and security,” says Dr. Bob Harkins of the University of Texas, Austin. “That decision speaks volumes about the leadership at the University. It was a decision to make this department an enabler for the business of protecting and educating students, faculty and staff. That was a very strategic decision encompassing law enforcement, campus safety and security, business continuity and risk management as core missions.”
A university campus is the perfect environment for Bob, who focuses on continuous learning and improvement. A U.S. Army veteran, he retired in 1993 and joined the University of Pittsburgh as the parking enforcement leader. After earning his doctorate there in 1998, he moved to Austin and took a similar role at Texas. In 2005, a reorganization to create a comprehensive approach to campus security and safety was initiated, and he earned the top job.