I wanted to branch out and gain different kinds of experience
Dashown Wilson thinks a lot about safety, and he always has. That’s a reality for a guy who grew up in the Bronx and didn’t always feel safe in his own neighborhood. When he started looking at colleges, campus safety was a big consideration.
“I grew up in the hood. So my dad was concerned with how safe the university was,” Wilson said. “My family kind of pushed me to go [to Alfred State College] because the university advertised itself as a secure and safe campus for students.”
Now, as the new Director of Campus Security Services, he wants to make sure safety isn’t something anyone at Western ever has to worry about.
But back in his college days, Wilson was also thinking about his chances of getting a scholarship to play football, how close it was to home, and how easy it would be to get a job after graduating with a degree in criminal justice. He was hoping to head back to the city to start a career with the police department. But then Covid happened.
From Football to Law Enforcement
With job options limited, he signed up with Uncle Sam, serving as an Army Calvary Scout stationed at Fort Benning before returning home to play football for the semi-pro New York Green Wave.
Being back on the field again was fun, but Wilson was ready to start his career. “[Law enforcement] is something that I’ve wanted to do since I was a child. I kind of grew up wanting to be in law enforcement,” he said. “I tried to do it in the city. The only reason I left was because of Covid. It was unfortunate. So once I got done with [football], I was offered an opportunity to leave New York and go to work in law enforcement for the Sheriff’s Department in Beltrami County, Minnesota.”
While he was there, he started a master’s degree in criminal justice studies at St. Cloud State, which he’ll finish this year, and heard about an opening in his current position at Western.
Becoming Director of Campus Security
“I wanted to branch out and gain different kinds of experience. I was told that there was an opportunity here in higher education as a director of campus security. I did some research and started asking some questions, and next thing you know, I was on my way here,” he said. “This is my first time being in Colorado. I think the scenery is really nice, and the mountains are dope. It’s something I’m not used to.”
After arriving here in early November, he’s climbed a couple of peaks and started to settle into his new role, learning what needs to be done and how he can make real contributions to campus security. “My biggest concern was to learn the position and accommodate and build a rapport with the students, the staff, the faculty, and my guards in the best way that I could,” he said.
Implementing New Strategies and Tools
He also wants to make sure the digital communication tools, like the Western Safe app, are available to everyone on campus and easy to use. Just a few months into his new role, he has already implemented a plan to keep communication open between his office, the Gunnison Police Department, and Emergency Medical Services whenever it’s needed and scheduled a training exercise to make it easier for people to respond appropriately in an emergency.
“I want to focus on the security aspect of my job, but also the communication aspect so students don’t only come to me because there’s an issue on campus or because there’s a problem,” he said. “I just want to be approachable. I want all my guards to be approachable so students aren’t fearful of security. I want them to feel like they can reach out to us any time.”
To reach Wilson or campus security, download and use the Western Safe app on your phone or call (970) 943-3084.
Author Credit: Seth Mensing
Photo Credit: Olivia Reinhardt and Courtesy
