December 23, 2003
Doan named interim director of police department
CARBONDALE, Ill. --Kay W. Doan, a lieutenant with Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Department of Public Safety since 1989, will become interim director on Jan. 1.
She replaces Samuel L. Jordan, who announced his retirement earlier this month after 11 years in the post.
Robert H. York, SIUC's executive director of human relations and support, said Doan is a good fit for the position.
"She is a very experienced and capable person, and a wonderful candidate for the position," York said. "We are very fortunate to have a person of her qualifications to serve in this position."
Doan has been with the University for more than 23 years. She served as interim director prior to Jordan's arrival in 1992 following the retirement of then-director Robert S. Harris.
The department has 37 active sworn officers and 17 office staff, which includes parking division employees.
As lieutenant, Doan oversees the department's investigations unit and telecommunications operations. She is also responsible for background checks on new employees in the department.
"I don't anticipate making any changes in the operational procedure or operational structure," said Doan. "I have confidence in the staff that we have, and I intend to see that the Department of Public Safety continues to provide the quality of service expected by the SIUC community."
The University will conduct a national search for Jordan's permanent replacement, advertising in national magazines and contacting potential candidates with experience in both law enforcement and working in campus environments, York said.
Doan is not a candidate for the permanent post, York said.
"We determined that it would give everyone a level playing field and equal opportunity to secure the position," he said.
York expects the search process will take at least three to four months.
Experience working in a university setting will be of special interest, York said.
"We would want someone familiar with that environment, if possible, but we will be considering other candidates from other areas as well," he said.
A search committee will review the various applications. Open forums will offer the campus community an opportunity to meet and talk with candidates, York said.
A native of Salem, Doan graduated from Salem High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from SIUC in administration of justice in 1980.
Doan started her career at SIUC as a telecommunications operator in August 1980. She became a police officer in September 1983, advancing to sergeant in September 1988 and then to lieutenant seven months later.
Doan, her husband, Charles, and the couple's two children live in Carterville.