To:

American University Community

From:

Bronté Burleigh-Jones, CFO, Vice President of Finance and Treasurer

Subject:

Dan Nichols, Assistant Vice President, Risk, Safety & Transportation Programs, To Retire

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Dear Colleagues, 

With a combination of excitement and happiness for him and sadness for us, I am writing to announce that after 11 years of dedicated service as Assistant Vice President, Risk, Safety & Transportation Programs, Dan Nichols will retire on January 31, 2023.  

As Assistant Vice President, Risk, Safety & Transportation Programs, Dan’s vast portfolio comprises Risk Management, including the management of insurance policies and resolving claims; environmental health and safety; global safety; enterprise risk management; transportation demand management; parking and commuter services; emergency preparedness; university compliance; privacy; and fire safety. He also serves as liaison to the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers, the Community Liaison Committee, and the AU Neighborhood Partnership Steering Committee.   

Dan came to AU in November 2011 after 28 years of distinguished service with the United States Capitol Police where he rose up the ranks to eventually serve for six years as Assistant Chief of Police, Chief of Operations. In that role, he was responsible for the delivery of all security, law enforcement, counter-terrorism, investigative, intelligence, and dignitary protective services required to protect and secure members of Congress, the Capitol complex, and the national legislative process.   

He began his tenure at AU as Director of Public Safety and was promoted to Executive Director as additional responsibilities were added to his portfolio before eventually becoming Assistant Vice President. Throughout his time at AU, Dan’s leadership and contributions have been impactful and significant.  

His extensive contributions include:  

• Overseeing the creation of the Global Safety Program to provide safety and security services to students, faculty, and staff traveling abroad; 

• Leading a task force of key stakeholders and WMATA to introduce, develop, and implement the U*Pass program, becoming the first university in the region to offer this service and helping it become an integral part of the AU experience for our students; 

• Serving with Dr. Fanta Aw as the co-chair of the COVID Health and Safety Task Force.  Dan helped to guide the university response to the pandemic and developed the COVID Health and Safety Plans;  

• Improving of the level of service provided by the Office of Risk Management and increased collaboration and coordination with offices across the university; 

• Co-chairing the Enterprise Risk Management Program; 

• Collaborating with key stakeholders to formally establish the Threat Assessment and Management Program; 

• Supporting the development of key elements of the current AU Campus Plan; 

• Establishing the Transportation Demand Management Program which has won national and local recognition for our efforts to manage parking effectively, reduce the number of vehicles coming to campus, and provide our community with alternative modes of transportation; 

• Overseeing the update and expansion of the university’s insurance portfolio; and 

• Managing the development of the Campus Lighting Master Plan. 

All of us here will miss Dan and never forget his contributions to AU. Please join us on Thursday, January 12^th at 3 p.m. as we express our gratitude and heartfelt thanks to Dan. Further details on the celebration are forthcoming.  

Sincerely, 
Bronté  

Bronté Burleigh-Jones, Ph.D. 
CFO, Vice President and Treasurer 
American University 
4400 Massachusetts Ave., NW 
Washington, DC 20016 
Phone: 202-885-3283
Fax: 202-885-3278 
jonesbro@american.edu