Donald J. (DJ) Rodman Named Senior Director of Public Safety and Security

Contact: Lori Fogleman, 254-709-5959
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After an extensive national search, Baylor University announced today that Donald J. (DJ) Rodman has been selected to lead the Baylor University Department of Public Safety as Senior Director of Public Safety and Security, effective March 10. In this role, Rodman will provide leadership for five BUDPS departments, including the Baylor University Police Department, Emergency Management, Physical and Technical Security, Global Safety and Research Security, and Parking and Transportation.

Rodman has more than 24 years of experience in higher education, including public safety roles with Northern Illinois University and Baylor University, where he has served as Assistant Chief of Police for BUPD since Spring 2021. Since Nov. 1, 2024, he has served as Interim Senior Director of Safety and Security, following the retirement of Mark Childers. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command.

“Our national search yielded a deep and well-qualified pool of candidates for this critical leadership role at Baylor. DJ Rodman’s blend of experience in both higher education and law enforcement rose to the top,” said Robyn Driskell, Ph.D., vice president and chief compliance and risk officer at Baylor. “DJ is a strong, collaborative and highly respected leader and public servant, and I am thrilled that he will take on this new leadership role as Baylor’s Senior Director of Public Safety and Security. He is the right leader at the right time and fully committed to the University’s mission and providing our campus community with the gold standard in higher education safety, security and law enforcement.”

“I am humbled and honored to have been selected to lead such a fine group of public safety professionals who have such a deep passion to care for our community,” Rodman said. “I am tremendously blessed to serve at Baylor, and I can think of no greater testament to living out my mission than using my experiences and giftings that allow each individual to flourish each day at this faith-based R1 university.

“Nearly four years ago, I joined Baylor University and have witnessed the extensive community of care that surrounds the students, faculty and staff of this great institution, which is raising up tomorrow’s leaders to positively impact our world through a lens of faith. I am grateful for the opportunity to lead the Department of Public Safety to support, care and educate our community on safety while they are on mission here at Baylor and beyond,” Rodman said.

As BUPD’s Assistant Chief, Rodman provided oversight of all operational and administrative functions of the 75-employee department, including patrol, investigations, community policing, crime prevention, evidence, records, accreditation, dispatch, security and policy. He also built and fostered relationships with campus and community partners that enhance the safety and security of students, faculty and staff. His inclusive leadership style and focused managerial skills have helped develop a stronger organization through improved training, information sharing and building trust.

From 2022-2024, Rodman led the team that designed three full-scale joint active threat training exercises, which were the largest in the region’s history. Through planning, partnership and collaboration, these exercises provide critical simulated training for multiple organizations to work collaboratively in an active threat incident, further strengthening local emergency services coordination and response to an active threat.

Before joining Baylor, Rodman worked for several years in intercollegiate athletics until he felt the call to serve his community. In 2006, he joined the NIU Police Department as a sworn officer, where he worked in patrol, community policing, emergency management and investigations. He helped the department receive national recognition among the “Top 50 Safest Large Colleges and Universities in America” in 2016 and “Top 100 Safest Colleges in America” in 2017. 

During his tenure at NIU, Rodman was awarded two lifesaving medals, a meritorious service award for his response to an active shooter incident, supervisor of the year, outstanding officer and numerous other commendation and citation awards throughout his career.

Rodman holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from NIU and also has completed coursework for a second master’s degree in counseling. He has completed the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board Executive Institute’s Policing Executive Role in the 21st Century and University of Louisville’s Southern Police Institute certification in Crime Prevention through Environmental Design.

His passions are his love for Christ, his family and anything to do with baseball.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more about Baylor University at www.baylor.edu. 

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

The Baylor University Department of Public Safety serves as an umbrella department for the Baylor University Police Department, emergency management, global safety and research security, physical and technical security and parking and transportation. BUDPS is set on providing students, faculty and alumni with excellent security and safety through instant notification systems, extensive surveillance cameras and highly trained staff.