Presenter Bio - Terri Stewart
Terri Ae. Stewart is a nationally recognized leader in campus public safety and a seasoned professional with over three decades of experience in higher education environments. Currently serving as Director of Campus Safety at Colgate University, Stewart leads a dedicated Campus Safety team in managing security operations, emergency response, threat assessment, Clery reporting, and public safety education.
Her career spans every level of a campus safety and police organization, serving across diverse institutional types—including public, private, and state colleges and universities, as well as three Minority-Serving and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (MSIs/HBCUs). Clery compliance has been a responsibility of Stewart’s in every position she has held. Ensuring staff are trained, and students and their families are informed about campus safety, campus crime data, and policies and procedures required by the Clery Act are central to her work.
Previously, she held director-level roles at Nazareth College and Ithaca College, where she was instrumental in transforming campus safety departments from traditional enforcement models to progressive, community-oriented public safety organizations.
Stewart’s earlier leadership roles at Trinity Washington University, the University of the District of Columbia, Texas Southern University, and Syracuse University reflect her deep-rooted commitment to organizational development and excellence in training and professional standards. At Trinity, she established the institution’s first in-house public safety (campus police) department. At Syracuse, she designed and implemented one of the first certified field training and evaluation programs for campus officers in partnership with local law enforcement.
Her leadership philosophy is built on a foundation of six core values: community, collaboration, communication, customization, customer service, and continuous improvement. She is highly visible and hands-on, with a unique strength in mentoring, succession planning, and cross-divisional engagement, particularly with student life and DEI initiatives.
Stewart holds a Master of Science in Organizational Management & Development from Trinity University and a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Syracuse University. A certified peace officer and instructor, she is trained in areas ranging from emergency preparedness and trauma-informed investigations to restorative justice and crisis intervention. Through her service, she continues to foster inclusive, responsive, and resilient campus communities where safety and belonging are central to the student experience, and campus communities recognize her team as educators who clearly and positively contribute to the institutional mission and vision.
