Delaney earns appointment as police commander at University Park

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State University Police and Public Safety Deputy Chief Stephanie Delaney has been appointed as the district commander at the University Park campus, according to UPPS Assistant Vice President Charlie Noffsinger.

In this role, Delaney manages day-to-day operations for the University Park police station, which involves overseeing 58 employees, including 49 police officers who serve roughly 40,000 students and 22,000 employees on nearly 8,000 acres of the campus.

“Deputy Chief Delaney has worked her way through the ranks, joining our department first as a student auxiliary officer, and she has earned this new role because of her proven leadership skills,” Noffsinger said. “I look forward to seeing her flourish in this position and seeing her vision for enhanced community outreach and engagement come to life.”

Delaney joined the department 20 years ago as a student auxiliary officer while studying at University Park. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in administration of justice, she attended the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Police Academy. Delaney was then named a police officer at University Park, ultimately earning the rank of lieutenant before Noffsinger named her deputy chief of staff in 2019 and then appointed her as district commander at University Park on March 1.

“I applaud AVP Noffsinger’s decision to name Deputy Chief Delaney as commander at University Park, which will allow the University Park police station to continue growing in a positive direction with a focus on engaging and supporting students,” said Penn State Police Chief Joseph Milek.

With a commitment to professional development, in 2017 the department sponsored Delaney to complete the Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command offered by Northwestern University’s Centre for Public Safety. The 10-week program provides upper-level collegiate instruction covering leadership, human resources, employee relations, organizational behavior, applied statistics, planning and policy development, budgeting, and resource allocation. Delaney is the first female commander at Penn State’s largest campus.

“Twenty years ago, I was a student at Penn State, serving as a student auxiliary officer while going to class. I am honored to now be deputy chief of police at University Park, and as an alumna, I am committed to a vision of positive interactions with students, complete support of their safety and well-being, and engagement with our community that allows UPPS to continue as a partner on campus and beyond,” Delaney said. “I look forward to continuing to work with stakeholders to best serve Penn State students and employees at University Park.”

Delaney fills the role previously held by Deputy Chief Tom Sowerby, who Noffsinger recently appointed to lead the department’s new University-wide Criminal Investigation Unit, which will serve 22 campuses.