The majority of Cliff Caldwell’s law enforcement career has been focused on protecting students—and that’s what he prefers.

“I have a passion for that type of environment,” said Cliff, who started working in education-sector security when he joined Indiana State University’s public safety team in 2012. “It’s the most impactful. You get to know the people you’re serving, see the same people every day.”

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Since then, Cliff’s built an impressive resume, with experience at both the university and PreK–12 levels, including as a lead school safety specialist for a public school district in Lake County, IN, and as director of public safety and security for the Gary Community School Corporation. This background made Cliff a top candidate in an impressive pool of applicants for Rowland Hall’s first director of safety and security position, and he’s excited to bring his experience to an independent school setting.

“I felt like I could really be impactful here and give value-add to this school community,” he said.

Rowland Hall’s beliefs and values align with how I think about school safety and keeping kids safe.—Cliff Caldwell, director of safety and security

While private, independent schools can often get overlooked when it comes to school safety resources, as these schools don’t receive federal or state funding, Rowland Hall is in a fortunate position. As part of an ongoing focus on student and campus safety, the Board of Trustees approved the addition of the director of safety and security role. This position is essential as we prepare for the opening of the Steiner Campus, which will unite all students at a single location.

“It’s time to bring on help to oversee policies, procedures, and safety systems at Steiner, as well as think of this whole 32-acre piece of property and how to make it as safe and secure as possible,” said Chief Information and Safety Officer Patrick Godfrey, who led safety efforts until the new director role was filled.

Patrick said Cliff also stood out during the interview process due to his history of data-driven decision-making, student-centered approach to security, and experience creating welcoming spaces—an area Rowland Hall greatly prioritizes. “We’re building castles, not prisons, providing safety but also an environment for learning,” Patrick said.

It’s a difference Cliff knows well, having seen the effect prison-like security measures, like metal detectors, chainlink fences, and gates, have on students. They don’t understand these systems are preventative, he explained; instead, they get the message that they’re not trusted, or they’re entering a place that’s dangerous.

“We as adults can process this, but kids can’t,” said Cliff. “When you have kids walking into an environment like that, automatically their anxiety is up, they’re on edge. How well do we think they can learn in class?”

Instead, Cliff said, schools must use systems that keep kids safe while also protecting their well-being. This means thinking outside the box instead of relying on what he calls “the easy way” of securing spaces with overly restrictive measures. “This is a tech age we’re living in,” he said. “You don’t need those physical barriers.”

And Rowland Hall wants to lead the way in this space, focusing on technology and nonintrusive tools, such as weapons detection systems and AI cameras, to keep students safe.

FUN FACTS ABOUT CLIFF: Cliff is a dedicated bike rider and can’t wait to get up to Utah’s mountain trails. He also recently bought a car carrier for his two Lhasa Apsos, Chase and Marshall, so they can explore their new state together. (And yes, beginning and lower school families, you correctly guessed the dogs are named after Paw Patrol characters. Students picked the name Chase for Cliff’s first puppy and the theme stuck.)

To assist him with making the best decisions for our community, Cliff is using his first months on the job to explore and more deeply understand the solid safety foundation Rowland Hall already has in place, from building security and emergency communication to drills and evacuation routes. He’s also planning to meet and collaborate with other security and law enforcement professionals in the area, including the Utah Association of School Resource Officers, the University of Utah’s Department of Public Safety, and Salt Lake City. And he’s focused on getting to know students so they know he’s a trusted adult they can approach.

“I love interacting with kids, building good relationships and rapport,” said Cliff.

Only a few days in, he’s already building those relationships, introducing himself to students as he walks the hallways and playgrounds in between meeting with colleagues. He described his onboarding process as one of the best he’s experienced, and it’s reinforced the positive impression he had when he first visited campus in early January.

“Rowland Hall’s beliefs and values align with how I think about school safety and keeping kids safe,” said Cliff. “I knew 100% it was for me.”