University appoints new associate vice chancellor for safety and security

John Bogdan, a retired U.S. Army colonel, has been named the new associate vice chancellor for safety and security at UNC Charlotte. He will assume his duties Jan. 2, 2019.

Bogdan most recently served as the chief of police and chief of operations for Forces Command, headquartered at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In this role, he was responsible for physical and operational security, force protection and antiterrorism capabilities for 11 major army installations in the United States. During his time at Fort Bragg, he also led the crisis action team in planning and executing its response to Hurricane Matthew.

In his new role at UNC Charlotte, Bogdan will be responsible for the coordination and oversight of the plans and programs that protect lives and property, prevent accidents and incidents, and preserve the learning environment and business operations of the University. This includes police and public safety, environmental health and safety, emergency management, and risk management and insurance. He will report directly to Elizabeth A. Hardin, vice chancellor for business affairs.

“John has a track record of leadership providing safety and security in installations and communities around the U.S. and the world,” Hardin said. “He has served in every capacity from infantryman to policy maker, earning respect from peers, superiors and subordinates along the way. His dedication to service and his mission orientation fit well in higher education.”

Previously in his military career, Bogdan held such positions as the chief of force protection and homeland defense division at Peterson Air Force Base, brigade commander at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay and chief of operations for the Office of the Provost Marshal General at the Pentagon, among many other assignments.

Bogdan holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from Virginia Commonwealth University, a Master of Arts in business and security management from Webster University and a Master of Science in national security strategy from the National Defense University. He also received a criminal justice certificate from the University of Virginia.