Michael Russell Named Georgia Southern University Director of Public Safety and Chief of University Police

August 18, 2009

Michael Russell has been named Director of Public Safety and Chief of the Georgia Southern University Police.
Russell, who has 28 years of law enforcement experience, including 21 years in campus public safety most recently served as Assistant Director of Public Safety at Georgia Southern University and Major of the Georgia Southern University Police.

Russell joined Georgia Southern in 1988 as Captain of the Department of Criminal Investigations. He later moved into Police Services and was promoted to the rank of Major and became the Assistant Director in 1999. As Assistant Director of Public Safety, Russell served as senior supervisor in Police Services and supported areas of Public Safety including environmental safety, fire safety, compliance and hazardous waste management.
Prior to joining Georgia Southern, Russell served as a Parole Officer with the Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles. He began his career in law enforcement with the City of Statesboro Police Department where he held increasingly responsible positions including Patrol Lieutenant.

Russell earned a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from Georgia Southern. He is a Certified Police and Parole Officer and General Instructor with the Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Council. He is also an instructor with the Georgia Crime Information Center.

Georgia Southern University, a Carnegie Doctoral/Research University, offers 115 degree programs serving nearly 18,000 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. The University, one of Georgia’s largest, is a top choice of Georgia’s HOPE scholars and is recognized for its student-centered approach to education. Visit: www.georgiasouthern.edu.