The University of Virginia (UVA) announced the launch of the Center for Public Safety and Justice, aimed at providing advanced education and training to law enforcement and public safety professionals. Housed within UVA’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies, the new center builds on the university’s existing public safety initiatives, including its Master of Public Safety degree program and long-standing partnerships with the FBI National Academy and the National Criminal Justice Command College.
The Center’s primary mission is to develop a more resilient, adaptive, and well-equipped public safety workforce. “The Center for Public Safety and Justice is a significant step toward strengthening leadership in public safety,” said Marvin “Ben” Haiman, the center’s executive director. “We are committed to fostering innovative ideas, education, and partnerships that empower leaders to make meaningful changes in their communities. Through our programs and research, we will equip leaders to tackle both present and future challenges.”
The center will serve as a hub connecting educators, practitioners, and scholars to address key issues in public safety, drive applied research, and improve public safety practices. According to Bryon Gustafson, a retired police chief and current UVA faculty member, “Our goal is to create an environment of continuous learning where our research reaches communities and the experiences of those communities shape our teaching. By collaborating with students, alumni, and industry partners, we will advance the field of public safety.”
The center will offer fellowship opportunities and foster a collaborative network focused on real-world solutions, supporting professional growth and tangible community impact. Oscar Odom III, an associate professor of public safety at UVA, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, “Bridging the gap between academic theory and practical application is essential. This partnership will help both areas evolve in ways that enhance public safety.”
Melissa Lubin, Dean of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies, highlighted UVA’s readiness to deliver advanced training to public safety practitioners. “By bringing together diverse perspectives from both academia and the field, the center will contribute to the well-being of communities throughout the commonwealth and beyond, aligning with the University’s ‘Great and Good’ strategic plan,” Lubin said. “The center is an extension of the impactful work we’ve been doing through our long-standing partnerships with law enforcement agencies.”
The new center marks a significant advancement in UVA’s commitment to public safety education and its role in shaping the future of public safety leadership.
