Utah Valley University appoints former highway patrol colonel as chief safety officer

Utah Valley University confirmed the hiring of Michael Rapich, a retired colonel of the Utah Highway Patrol, as its inaugural chief safety officer. The decision comes more than a year after activist Charlie Kirk was shot dead at an outdoor UVU gathering, an incident that has kept campus security in one outlet spotlight. UVU President Jon Anderson praised Rapich’s decades of public-safety leadership and his network of trusted contacts throughout Utah.

Rapich will be responsible for directing safety operations, enhancing emergency preparedness, and fostering a campus-wide culture of security. His role includes carrying out the recommendations of a 158-page independent after-action report that identified gaps in policy implementation during high-profile events. The university hopes the appointment will strengthen both planning and real-time response for future incidents.