UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Jennifer Cruden, formerly senior writer/editor for the College of Health and Human Development at Penn State, has been named public information officer for Penn State Police and Public Safety.
In this newly created role, Cruden manages the department’s public information, marketing and organizational communications efforts. Reporting to Assistant Vice President for University Police and Public Safety Charlie Noffsinger, Cruden assists with internal and external communications, news media relations and community relations.
“We understand the importance of communicating and engaging with the University community and the many other stakeholders who are connected to Penn State, such as neighboring residents, parents and fans of our athletics programs. That’s why it was important to create the public information officer position,” Noffsinger said. “Jennifer will help Penn State Police and Public Safety connect and engage more with these communities in a variety of ways, including by listening to the needs and expectations of these groups in order to develop ways to better serve them.”
Cruden, a former news reporter who has a master’s degree in public affairs reporting from the University of Illinois at Springfield, will be responsible for the overall management of services and activities designed to keep the University community and public informed of the department’s activities, programs and accomplishments.
Most recently, Cruden served as a communications specialist for the College of Health and Human Development, where she promoted faculty members’ published research, highlighted students’ accomplishments and contributed to an annual alumni magazine distributed to more than 60,000 readers.
Cruden’s appointment was effective July 18.
Established in 1926 as Campus Patrol, today Penn State University Police and Public Safety is responsible for protecting and serving Penn State’s students, faculty members, staff members and visitors at 22 campuses located throughout Pennsylvania.
In 2017, Penn State centralized University Police and Public Safety by combining campus-based units into one, cohesive department under the direction of the assistant vice president for police and public safety. The unified department has roughly 135 full-time and part-time police officers, 75 non-sworn and civilian staff, and approximately 90 student employees.
University Police and Public Safety provides multiple resources and services, including police services, behavioral threat management, Clery compliance and emergency management. The department also includes a K-9 unit and Community-Oriented Policing Unit.