The Mustang Buzz interviewed Mike Munford to learn more about his life and his career as SMSU’s Director of University Public Safety. Munford has spent 26 years working at SMSU with the goal of providing a safe and harmonious environment for everyone regardless of who they are.
Q: Where are you from?
A: “I was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia.”
Q: Where did you go to college?
A: “I earned an undergraduate degree from Shorter University in Rome, Georgia and completed my graduate degree at SMSU.”
Q: Have you earned any awards and/or honors?
A: “1996 young men of America Award Employee of the year Award and Shorter University 2024 Campus Compact Award.”
Q: How long have you been working at SMSU for?
A: “26 years.”
Q: What has been the most challenging part of your job as the Director of University Public Safety at SMSU?
A: “I am no different from other public safety professionals. The top three areas I have found most challenging are:
- Evolving threats- public acts of violence, mental health crisis, and cyber crime
- Competing priorities
- Resource constraints.”
Q: What has been the easiest part of your job as Director of University Public Safety?
A: “I don’t classify it as the easiest part of my job, but the most rewarding/satisfying part of my job has been working with the student body. I’m privileged to have worked with a diverse group of young people from around the world.”
Q: What is your favorite part of your job as Director of University Public Safety?
A: “Working with the student body.”
Q: What is your least favorite part of your job as Director of University Public Safety?
A: “Working with segments of the community who are not committed to the University’s core mission.”
Q: Is there much violence and harassment on the SMSU campus and in the Marshall community and how do you address that in your job?
A: “Although our campus is safe, we do from time to time receive complaints of harassment. When those complaints are received they are investigated by my department and adjudicated by the office of student conduct.
Several years ago, SMSU was rated as the safest campus in the state of Minnesota. The quality of living in our region is high, and the prevalence of crime is low. With that said, we are in pretty good shape, but we need to continue to educate people on how best to protect themselves from becoming a victim.”
Q: Does your job relate to students only or other groups on campus too–faculty, staff, administration?
A: “As the public safety director, I am charged with enforcing policy and procedures that impact and apply to both employees and students.”
To close out the interview, Munford was asked if he had any additional closing thoughts or remarks that he would like to personally share with the SMSU community. He said, “I have spent 26 years serving this great institution. Every day I report to work, my aim is to provide a safe and harmonious environment wherein our community can thrive. We, as a community, work best, when we work together.”