Chief of Police
Iowa State University
Dr. Michael R. Newton serves as the Associate Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police at Iowa State University, leading the Department of Public Safety, which includes police, parking, building security, key management, DPS emergency management, and risk management. Since joining ISU in 2017, he has focused on community engagement, threat assessment, and innovative approaches to campus safety. He also serves as Co-Chair of the ISU Demonstration Safety Team. Previously, he spent nearly two decades with the University of Wisconsin–Madison Police Department, advancing from officer to captain and leading multiple operational and emergency management areas. A recognized leader in crisis intervention and community policing, Dr. Newton has received several NAMI awards for mental health advocacy. Under his leadership, ISU Police earned the IACLEA Innovations in Community-Oriented Policing Award. He holds an associate degree in criminal justice with a certificate in psychology, a bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. focused on leadership and emotional intelligence in law enforcement.
Balancing Rights and Readiness: Police Leadership in Campus Demonstrations and High-Threat Events
Sunday, October 19, 2025
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM MT