(Posted August 23, 2011)

Jesse Leonard, a 2006 Juniata graduate, is the college's director of public safety
Jesse Leonard, a 2006 Juniata graduate, is the college's director of public safety

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Jesse Leonard, a 2006 Juniata College graduate, has accepted a job as the college's director of public safety, effective Aug. 8. Leonard will oversee the college's public safety officers and administer safety programs. He also will be Juniata's head baseball coach in the spring.

Leonard, a native of Johnstown and a 2002 graduate of Shade High School, earned a bachelor's degree at Juniata in business and information technology and went on to earn a master's degree in higher education administration at the University of Akron, in Akron, Ohio.

Leonard will have a newly expanded role in Juniata's student services programs by offering support and assistance to the college's health and wellness programs. Leonard also will start awareness programs and educational workshops for students on emotional and psychological safety.

"Jesse has a lot of experience at both large and small institutions and his time at Juniata as a student and postgraduate assistant makes him a great candidate for the our public safety team," says Kris Clarkson, dean of students. "Jesse has strong experience working with students and has served as a judicial officer and responded to crisis situations in his other jobs."

After graduation from Juniata, Leonard spent a year as assistant director of student activities and residence hall director before leaving to start the master's degree program at the University of Akron.

"Jesse's time at Juniata as a student and postgraduate assistant makes him a great candidate for the our public safety team. Jesse has strong experience working with students and has served as a judicial officer and responded to crisis situations in his other jobs."

Kris Clarkson, dean of students

During graduate school, Leonard worked as graduate residence director at the University of Akron from 2007 to 2009. After earning his graduate degree, he accepted a job as residence life coordinator at the university.

In 2010, Leonard was hired by the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown as first year area coordinator, where he managed five freshman residence halls and managed 10 Real World interest groups. He also planned and coordinated training and professional development for his staff and conducted judicial hearings for residents who violated campus policy.

Leonard received the 2008 Staff Member of the Year Award from the University of Akron's Department of Residence Life & Housing, and also served as treasurer for the university's Student Association for Graduate Education.

He is a member of ACPA, College Student Educators International and Tau Pi Phi, the national honorary society for accounting, business and economics.

Leonard also competed as a Juniata athlete all four years of his undergraduate career, playing varsity football and baseball. He also was a member of the college's Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee as an undergraduate.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.