UC Merced Safety Conference Returns With Experts’ Real-world Safety Solutions

The UC Merced Safety Conference will begin Sept. 23, offering attendees a chance to explore the latest trends, strategies and innovations in safety while connecting with experts and peers. The two-day conference aims to deliver real-world solutions to strengthen safety collaboration across institutions and communities.

This year's event will feature presentations led by nationally recognized professionals, equipping participants with knowledge and practical tools to address today's most pressing safety challenges.

The conference's keynote speaker, Garrett Therolf, is a senior reporter and contributing editor at UC Berkeley's Investigative Reporting Program. His work has appeared in The Atlantic, the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times. Therolf was a producer and lead reporter for The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez, a six-part Netflix docuseries that spent weeks atop the platform's most-watched list. He also spent a decade as a staff writer for the Los Angeles Times, focusing on the foster care system.

"We encourage anyone responsible for the safety of others - whether on campus, in local organizations or throughout our region - to join us," said UC Merced Police Chief Chou Her. "Together, we can strengthen our knowledge, share best practices and build a safer, more resilient community for everyone."

The breakout speaker lineup includes the U.S. Secret Service's National Threat Assessment Center, FBI, Paradise Unified School District, ABC 30, Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office, American Medical Response, University of California Office of the President, UC Merced and others.

Organizers said the conference remains focused on its mission of reinforcing collaboration across educational institutions, public safety agencies and community organizations.

"The UC Merced Safety Conference is more than an event - it's a commitment to collaboration, innovation and resilience," said UC Merced Emergency Manager Laura Rodriguez-Mascorro. "By bringing together leaders in education, public safety, mental health and other professionals in safety, we're creating a space where ideas turn into action and partnerships into progress. Our goal is simple but powerful: to strengthen safety and preparedness across schools, campuses and communities."

The conference is ideal for education and administration professionals (K-12, college and university), emergency and risk managers, environmental health and safety specialists, Clery professionals, behavioral health and community safety professionals, public health officers, law enforcement and policy and governance officials.

The cost to attend is $250, which includes the two-day conference, meals, supplies and parking.

For more information or to register, visit safetyconference.ucmerced.edu.