KENNESAW, Ga. | Jun 5, 2018

Law enforcement leader brings 26 years’ experience in KSU Public Safety

Edward Stephens, a 26-year veteran of Kennesaw State’s Department of Public Safety, has been named the University’s assistant vice president for public safety and chief of police, effective immediately.

As police chief, Stephens will oversee the day-to-day public safety operations, implement and enforce established safety and security policies and procedures, and maintain positive relationships with faculty, staff, students and first responders. He will be in charge of more than 100 employees, including sworn officers, security officers and administrative personnel.

“Along with having two-and-a-half decades of law enforcement experience, Chief Stephens has a great rapport with KSU faculty, staff and students and has built strong partnerships on campus as well as with local police departments in Cobb County, Marietta and Kennesaw,” said Ken Harmon, Kennesaw State’s interim president. “His career reflects a deep commitment to proactive leadership and community-oriented policing.”

Stephens has served as KSU’s acting police chief since August. He joined the Kennesaw State Police Department in 1992 as an officer and advanced through the ranks to become the principal criminal investigator in 2000, Professional Standards Division commander in 2011 and deputy police chief in 2014.

In addition to his law enforcement service to the University, Stephens is an adjunct instructor in KSU’s Department of First-Year and Transition Studies. Stephens also is a Kennesaw State alumnus, receiving his business management degree in 1994, and he holds a Master of Public Administration from Columbus State University.

“Having devoted my career to Kennesaw State Public Safety, and being a KSU graduate, there is nowhere I’d rather be than in this role,” Stephens said. “I am committed to the safety and well-being of our students and our entire campus community.”

– Paul Floeckher

Photo by David Caselli

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.