Campus safety supervisor brings a people-focused approach to security.
Jared Wyn spends much of his day out and about. interacting with students and employees on Front Range Community College’s Larimer Campus. As supervisor of campus safety, he knows that being visible and easy to talk to is an important part of creating a campus where people feel comfortable asking for help.
Safety and security initiatives are often behind the scenes, but Jared’s philosophy focuses on compassionate, frontline support.
Listening and Building Trust
“My team is often the first point of communication with students and staff about various issues,” says the FRCC employee of nine years. “So I instill in my team that we need to make sure people know they are heard and have access to solutions or resources. We do our best to deliver a high level of service to our college community,”
Sometimes that means assisting an employee who is locked out of their office or responding to security concerns around campus. Other times it might mean listening to and de-escalating a student in distress through Jared’s role on the college’s Behavioral Intervention and Threat Assessment (BITA) team.
“That’s our primary focus: building relationships and trust,” Jared says.
From POST Certification to Real-World Experience
He earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with an emphasis in law enforcement from Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction. Then Jared set out to become a school resource officer—a path that required he first serve as a police officer.
Though he’d earned Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification as a first step, the police department where he applied to work encouraged him to get a little real-world experience.
“I worked in community corrections while my wife finished up school, and then once she graduated, we moved to Loveland, where she’s from,” he says.
Finding FRCC
When looking for jobs, he came across a posting for a campus safety technician at FRCC. “I thought I’d still pursue the police officer path, but this had some appealing similarities to a school resource officer, so I figured I’d apply,” Jared says.
He was offered the position, and what started as a step toward his original goal turned into a fulfilling career in an unexpected place.
“I fell in love with the environment and culture here. Getting to know so many students and staff from different generations is one of my favorite aspects of the job.”
A Caring Presence on Campus
As the longest-serving member of the campus safety department, Jared has become a familiar and trusted face around the Larimer Campus. Vice President of Operations Ethan Johnson, DPA, says engaging with the campus community is one of Jared’s greatest strengths.
“Safety is a feeling and involves so much more than locking buildings and checking cameras,” Ethan says. “Those who do it best have ongoing conversations about the realities and perceptions of safety and a clear vision for the right balance.”
A Focus on Education
He says Jared is skilled at bridging the gap between executive decisions and community perception. “It’s about being an educator on what safety and emergency management mean while still being approachable. That’s one of Jared’s shining attributes.”
At times, that educational focus is more formal too. Jared and his colleagues in the Campus Safety Department offer classes like Stop the Bleed, which teaches participants how to respond in the critical moments before emergency medical help arrives. They also offer awareness and prevention programming on everything from recognizing threats to disaster preparedness.
Raising the Standard for Safety
Jared’s commitment to doing things well is evident in a project he’s championing for FRCC. His department is pursuing accreditation through the International Association for Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA).
The college will be the first within the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) to earn that distinction. As the department’s accreditation manager, Jared is leading a team through the policy, training and equipment requirements to reach that goal.
“This shows our community that we are always improving as a department and want to be the very best in our field,” Jared says.
Leading by Example
For Campus Security and Preparedness technician Steven Tozer, Jared’s management style is hands-on and people-focused. “He always takes the time to talk to people, and as someone who has been here so long, he is that leader who is willing to guide and build up his staff and help us learn new skills,” he says.
“Jared is extremely supportive and willing to go above and beyond because he believes in what he is doing at FRCC. It’s clear to anyone who knows Jared that he loves what he does.”
Getting Noticed
In 2024, Jared was honored with the an Employee of the Year Award from CCCS in the Administrative/Professional/Technical category. He was one of 50 employees statewide recognized across the system’s 13 colleges through its annual Commitment to Excellence Awards, which celebrate faculty, staff, administrators and students whose dedication, teamwork and service make their campuses better.
Such a notable accolade came as a pleasant surprise to Jared. He was nominated by his peers and supervisor, and he says that all recognition is flattering. “Whether I receive a thank-you note and some homemade cookies from someone who hosted an event on campus or an award from the system, it matters a lot to me and to my team,” he says.
Purpose in the People
After almost a decade at FRCC, Jared still says he never has days when he doesn’t want to come to work. The reason: the people.
“I love the people here,” he says. “What we do matters, but everyone here also values their relationships with one another. It’s one of the main things I love about Front Range, and it’s the reason I’ve stayed.”
That care for his college community is at the heart of how Jared approaches his role. He inspires his team to create a campus where everyone feels safe and every student is able to focus on why they are there, whether they’re just starting or continuing their educational journey.
“The work we are doing and the connections we make every day here at Front Range have an impact,” he says. “Knowing we make a difference in others’ experiences here is something I’m very proud of.”
