August J. Washington appointed to senior adviser role in the Division of Administration

August J. Washington, senior associate vice chancellor for public safety and chief of police, will become senior adviser to the vice chancellor for administration on Aug. 1. He will contribute to long-range planning and strategic initiatives across the Division of Administration, focusing on operational excellence, campus safety and cross-departmental collaboration.

Washington has been the university's senior public safety official since joining Vanderbilt in 2009. During his tenure, he significantly expanded and modernized Vanderbilt University Public Safetywhile overseeing more than 250 staff members and implementing a unified, community-oriented approach to safety and emergency preparedness. His leadership helped the university become Tennessee's first campus law enforcement agency to earn four accreditations, from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators, the Tennessee Law Enforcement Accreditation program and for its emergency communications center.

Washington led VUPS through a period of sustained growth and transformation while establishing a comprehensive safety framework that extends beyond Vanderbilt's main campus to include Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital, One Hundred Oaks and satellite facilities throughout the region. He oversaw the implementation of key public safety technologies-including the recent deployment of body-worn cameras-and championed employee development, student outreach initiatives and partnerships with campus and community stakeholders.

"August's leadership has left an enduring impact on Vanderbilt," said Darren Reisberg, vice chancellor for administration. "He has guided our public safety operations with professionalism, integrity and vision. In his new role, he will continue to help strengthen the university through his deep knowledge of our unique institutional culture."

Tommye Sutton, who is deputy chief of police, will be interim chief of police. Sutton, who joined VUPS in 2022, has served in executive roles at the University of Virginia, University of Chicago and Northwestern University. Steven Engstrom, assistant chief of police for medical center operations, will be interim deputy chief.