Associate Vice President and Chief of Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services
Michael J. Bunker joined Syracuse University as Associate Vice President and Chief of Campus Safety and Emergency Management Services on July 1, 2025. A military veteran with 14 years of service in the U.S. Coast Guard, Bunker brings more than two decades of leadership experience in campus safety, emergency management and public safety.
Most recently, Bunker served as Chief of Campus Safety at the University of Denver, where he led safety and security operations on a large urban campus, including emergency management, environmental health and safety, and security technology. Prior to his tenure in Denver, Bunker held leadership roles with the Georgetown University Police Department, the Campus Public Safety Institute, the Falls Church Police Department (Falls Church, VA), and the George Mason University Police Department.
In his current role, Bunker oversees public safety operations, emergency management services, crisis planning and response, and broad-based outreach across the University community. He focuses on a student-centered approach, compliance with federal safety standards like the Clery Act, and proactive threat management. Since starting, Bunker has articulated a clear vision focused on fostering a safe, inclusive, and responsive campus environment, grounded in proactive engagement, trust and transparency.
Syracuse University’s Department of Public Safety is the third largest full-service law enforcement entity in Onondaga County and responds to over 77,000 calls annually. The department provides emergency first-responder services to the University community including law enforcement and security patrols, investigations, crime prevention, emergency and non-emergency communications.