NSHE Secures DHS Grant for more than $500K to Strengthen Campus Safety and Emergency Preparedness
The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) secured a $519,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) Grant Program. Through the “Threat Prevention, Safety, and Awareness Initiative,” this funding will bolster NSHE’s ongoing work to protect students, faculty, staff, and visitors across all its higher education and research institutes.
This grant, part of a larger system-wide effort led by the Chancellor’s ad hoc Committee on Public Safety, will provide additional resources to boost safety, security, and emergency preparedness efforts at all NSHE institutions. Formed to assess and prioritize safety initiatives, the committee works diligently to identify opportunities for improving system-wide security measures. The TVTP grant will fund the creation of Threat Assessment Teams (TATs), implement a campaign to raise public awareness, and support case management systems that foster early intervention in potential threat situations.
“At NSHE, the safety of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors remains our highest priority,” said Chancellor Patricia Charlton. “Through the work of the Chancellor’s ad hoc Committee on Public Safety, we are committed to building a culture of safety and preparedness across all campuses. This grant strengthens our ability to assess and respond to threats in a proactive and coordinated way. We are grateful to the Department of Homeland Security for supporting this vital work.”
NSHE’s Threat Prevention, Safety, and Awareness Initiative will concentrate on two primary goals:
- Raising Societal Awareness: The initiative will launch a broad public outreach effort to increase understanding of threat assessment and reporting processes. This effort will target NSHE’s diverse population of students, faculty, and staff across all NSHE institutions. Special attention will be given to underserved groups who may face greater risks of targeted violence, ensuring that they are informed and equipped to participate in safety efforts.
- Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management Teams: Each NSHE institution will establish and train dedicated TATs. These teams will work collaboratively to assess, mitigate, and manage potential threats across campuses. The grant will also support the implementation of a case management system that enhances information sharing, ensuring that threats are identified and addressed before they escalate.
“The resources provided by this grant allow us to further strengthen our safety protocols,” said Arnold Vasquez, Interim Director of University Police Services Southern Command. “By implementing threat assessment teams and improving communication across our campuses, we can take a proactive approach to preventing violence and ensuring the well-being of our campus communities.”
In Northern Nevada, University Police Services will follow the same comprehensive approach. “This initiative equips us with the tools needed to enhance campus security and emergency preparedness,” said Eric James, Director of University Police Services Northern Command. “Through a combination of training, new systems, and increased awareness, we are making significant strides in protecting our students, faculty, and staff.”
The Threat Prevention, Safety, and Awareness Initiative aligns with NSHE’s long-term goal of enhancing safety and preparedness across its institutions. By strengthening existing partnerships with local and state law enforcement, campus safety officers, mental health professionals, and community organizations, this initiative ensures that NSHE continues to lead the way in campus safety efforts. In addition to creating threat assessment teams, the initiative will implement extensive training for students, faculty, and staff, empowering the entire community to recognize and report concerning behaviors, thereby fostering a safer environment for all.
NSHE is the first recipient in Nevada to receive this grant, awarded by the DHS’s Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3). CP3’s support underscores the importance of NSHE’s work in improving safety across its campuses.
To learn more about the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Grant Program, you can visit the DHS website.
For media inquiries or additional information, please contact Elizabeth Callahan at ecallahan@nshe.nevada.edu or 702-522-7021.
