Public Safety Honors University Partners, Staff Achievements, and Milestones

Recognition of University Partners 

Public Safety honored several university partners for their exceptional service and collaboration: 

• Humberto Bonfante, Senior Director of Operations, Columbia Business School, was recognized for serving as a reliable connector between Public Safety and the Business School community.
• Vicki Dunn, Assistant Vice President, Columbia Dining, was honored for her exceptional hospitality, ensuring that Public Safety staff were supported with food and beverages during high-demand periods such as Commencement and major snowstorms.
• Erin James, Executive Director of Communications and Strategic Initiatives, CUIMC Facilities Management, was recognized for her leadership in advancing safety communications across the CUIMC community.
• Rana Khan, Assistant Vice President of Strategic Student Initiatives, University Life, was honored for her collaboration and teamwork in ensuring university events run smoothly. 

 “We are better when we work together,” said Brian McPherson, Deputy Vice President of Public Safety. “I am grateful that Public Safety has dedicated partners across the university who share our core values of pride, professionalism, and service and who work alongside us every day to keep our community safe." 

Public Safety Staff Recognition and Attendance Milestones 

Yiling Tang, Director of Technology Systems, Public Safety, received the Ricky Morales Service Award. Tang and his team were acknowledged for their work supporting campus safety systems and managing technology matters across all campuses. Additionally, 15 Public Safety staff members were recognized for their promotions, and 17 staff members never missed a day they were scheduled to work in the past year.  

Among the group that achieved perfect attendance this year are several staff members with perfect attendance streaks spanning decades. Public Safety Officers Pericles Almanzar, Jaime Rodriguez and Michael Layne have had perfect attendance for 15 years, 22 years and 25 years (respectively). Patrick Oakley, Executive Director of Operations and Investigations, has a 19-year perfect attendance streak beginning the day he started at Columbia University in September 2006.