News

Jeff Favreau joined St. Olaf College on August 11 as the college’s new director of public safety.

He comes to St. Olaf after serving as the director of public safety and emergency operations at St. Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont. In his work at St. Michael’s — where he oversaw the college’s Emergency Management Team and compliance with state and federal regulations — he was instrumental in advancing the college’s safety and emergency preparedness while also prioritizing the integration of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives into all Public Safety functions.

Favreau previously served as a sergeant at the University of Vermont Police Department and as an officer with the South Burlington Police Department. He holds a master’s degree in criminal justice from Boston University, is a certified Vermont Emergency Manager, an FBI-LEEDA Crisis Negotiator, and a Command Leadership Institute graduate. He is well-versed in critical regulations such as the Clery Act, FERPA, Title IX and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), and OSHA safety regulations, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of modern public safety initiatives and compliance.

At St. Olaf, Favreau will lead a 24/7 public safety operation that ensures a secure, inclusive, and welcoming campus. He’ll oversee staffing, emergency planning, compliance, investigations, and partnerships with campus and local agencies. His work will also strengthen student support and reinforce the college’s commitment to equity and belonging in all safety efforts.

As his work gets under way, Favreau shares what he’ll focus on in the year ahead and how he’s hoping to engage with students, faculty, and staff on campus. Read more in the Q&A below.

What drew you to this role at St. Olaf, and what excites you most about joining our campus community?
My family — my wife, two daughters, dog, cat, and guinea pig — had been considering a move from Vermont to the Twin Cities area for some time. My wife has family in Minneapolis and a sister in St. Paul, and with one of my daughters about to start high school in a few years, we felt the time was right to make a move. I am so excited to join the St. Olaf community. The role I held in Vermont was at a similar-sized college with a similar-sized department, so stepping into my role at St. Olaf has been both energizing and familiar. 

What’s your approach to public safety, especially in a close-knit community like we have here on the Hill?
My approach to public safety was largely defined by my time as a school resource officer in South Burlington, Vermont, as well as my time as a shift supervisor at the University of Vermont. Communication, connection, and collaboration with the campus community is incredibly important to any successful public safety team. Officers should engage with the students, faculty, and staff of the college through participation in campus events, attendance at sports events, hosting information sessions on campus, and many other ways officers can have fun, relaxed, non-enforcement interactions with the community. Public safety is at its best when we are taking the time to engage with our community. 

What role would you like to see students, faculty, and staff play in helping to maintain a safe and respectful campus environment?
The Public Safety Office is charged with the responsibility of safety and security on our campus, but overall safety is a group effort. While there are many of us who are actively working toward a safe campus as our first priority every day, everyone can contribute. We at Public Safety rely on the community of St. Olaf to let us know when something is not right. We try to be as many places as we can, but we cannot be everywhere at all times. If you see something suspicious, hear something that is disturbing, or see a fellow community member who needs assistance, please do not hesitate to let us know. 

How do you see your department working collaboratively with other campus offices and student groups? 
Collaboration is key to the success of any public safety department. We cannot accomplish our mission without the help of the community. Maintaining strong relationships with our partners in Residence Life, Facilities, Northfield Police and Fire, IT, Human Resources, Communications, and virtually every other department and office on this campus will only strengthen our ability to keep our campus safe. I encourage anyone — faculty, staff, or student — to reach out to us if they have new or continuing ideas for collaboration or partnerships with Public Safety. 

What’s one thing you want students to feel when they see a Public Safety officer on campus?
I want the community of this campus to view my staff as the ultimate helpers. Whatever we can do to help promote safety, assist with a project on campus, or just a friendly face who says hi in Buntrock, our officers are here for you. 

What’s your go-to coffee (or tea) order, and where on campus are you most likely to be spotted with it?
You would think after 20 years in law enforcement (half of that on the overnight shift) and another three in public safety that I would be addicted to coffee, and yet … I hate it! I have never liked coffee, and I only recently started drinking the occasional tea. If I had to choose one, it would be Bigelow’s Constant Comment tea. As of right now, you will probably catch me as I dash from meeting to meeting throughout the day; there are so many amazing people to meet on this campus!

If you could take any class at St. Olaf just for fun, what would it be and why?
If I were to ever find the time, I think taking some Spanish classes would be fun. I took Spanish in high school, but diving back in would be a great challenge for another day. 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received — on or off the job?
I don’t know if I have one singular piece of advice that I have received that helped shape or guide me to where I am now — I would say I am more an amalgamation of many people’s advice over many years. I do recall however, when I was still a sergeant at the University of Vermont and looking for a change, I was very much inspired by the song Wait For It from the musical Hamilton, which motivated me to continue looking for new opportunities, eventually resulting in a move to St. Michael’s College. 

Anything else you’d like to add?
To our students: I just want you to know how incredibly lucky you are to have landed at St. Olaf. Having worked at several collegiate institutions, the immediate sense of belonging, inclusion, and acceptance I have felt from every corner of this campus has been staggering. I hope you are able to take what you learn here as an Ole and find a place as accepting. I am truly excited to be at St. Olaf, and I can’t wait to get to work serving this community.