Preston selected as Director of Public Safety

Sam Preston has been named Director of Public Safety at the University of Southern Indiana, effective immediately. He will report to Steve Bridges, Vice President for Finance and Administration.  

As Director, Preston is responsible for ensuring the security and safety of a diverse University community comprised of students, faculty, staff and visitors. The USI community spans across the 1,400-acre main campus and the Stone Family Center for Health Sciences, located in downtown Evansville, along with extension centers in Posey and Vanderburgh counties. Preston serves as the main point of contact and liaison with external law enforcement agencies (local, state and federal) and emergency response organizations. 

Before his role as Director, Preston served as Interim Director of Public Safety at USI following Steve Bequette's retirement. Prior, Preston served as Assistant Director of Public Safety since May 2018. He is a 26-year veteran (retired) of the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office. Preston is a 2016 graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, a certified Master Instructor by the State of Indiana, a peer support and suicide prevention instructor and has experience in crisis negotiation.  

He earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Western Kentucky University and a master’s degree in criminology from Indiana State University.