Bruce Jamison Named Director of Campus Safety at Oberlin

Longtime officer emphasizes collaborative approaches to supporting students and strengthening community.

September 18, 2024

Office of Communications

Bruce Jamison.
Photo credit: Tanya Rosen-Jones '97

Bruce Jamison, a career-long public servant with 38 years of experience in municipal law enforcement and higher education safety settings, has been named Director of Campus Safety at Oberlin College and Conservatory. He began August 1.

Jamison arrived in Oberlin after serving for five years as Director of Safety and Security at Edison State Community College in the Dayton, Ohio, suburb of Piqua. At Edison, he led efforts to modernize emergency response plans and integrate safety communications, two priorities he also brings to his role at Oberlin.

Prior to Edison State, Jamison served 33 years with Piqua’s police department in a wide range of roles that culminated in a 10-year stint as chief. He earned a reputation as a steward of collaborative engagement with citizens throughout the community.

“We are excited to have Bruce join the Oberlin community,” says Vice President and Dean of Students Karen Goff. “Ensuring the safety and well-being of our campus is one of my top priorities. Bruce’s openness and willingness to engage our community in proactive ways is readily evident. With his extensive background in public service, I have no doubt he will help to co-create a safe and inclusive environment for all students, faculty, and staff.”

Jamison is a graduate of the University of Dayton, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.

I would like every student to know that when we say we’re here to help, we truly mean it.” —Bruce Jamison

“I appreciate the ways in which Oberlin's rich history of social justice is deeply ingrained in our culture,” he says. “I am firmly of the belief that social justice and law enforcement are not incompatible, and I’ve been promoting that notion as a chief of police in environments that don't necessarily value social justice to the same degree that Oberlin does. By working closely with a diverse array of people in our community, we made progress together. I’m looking forward to developing those kinds of collaborations here at Oberlin.”

In his first weeks on campus, Jamison has been moved by the profound support of Campus Safety among faculty, staff, and students alike.

“I would like every student to know that when we say we’re here to help, we truly mean it,” he says. “We want to do this by building healthy relationships across the college and listening to the wants and needs of the community. Please talk to us about your concerns, and feel free to chat with us even if we aren't actively engaged in a call for service with you. We’re here for you!”

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