HARRISBURG – Annette L. Oates of Harrisburg has joined HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, as the director of safety and security.
Oates, who lives in the Midtown area, comes to HACC with 28 years of experience with the Harrisburg Bureau of Police. For the last three years of her tenure, Oates had served as the captain of the Uniformed Patrol Division, which is the largest component of the city’s police department.
“As director of safety and security, I have several goals I’d like to accomplish in my role as HACC’s director of safety and security,” said Oates. “One is to reduce the number of criminal incidences at HACC’s five campuses each semester. Another goal is advanced training for the officers. Their level of enthusiasm and professionalism has impressed me and should be maintained and enhanced.”
“Safety for our students, staff and visitors is very important,” said John J. Sygielski, Ed.D. “Annette has the depth of experience to further strengthen what we already have in our safety and security team. We are fortunate to have her leading our security advancements.”
Oates is a graduate of Penn State with a bachelor’s degree in administration of justice and has an Act 120 certification from the Hershey State Police Academy. The certification is a state requirement for all municipal police officers.
Oates has trained numerous crime watch groups so they can conduct community foot patrols in their own neighborhoods. She also is a member of the Dauphin County Chiefs of Police Association.
About HACC
HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, offers more than 150 career and transfer associate degree, certificate and diploma programs to nearly 20,000 students at campuses in Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon and York and through online classes. In addition, HACC serves more than 29,000 students in noncredit workforce development, public safety, adult basic education and continuing education programs offered at all campuses and off-site locations in many communities in Central Pennsylvania. For more information on how HACC is uniquely YOURS, visit www.hacc.edu.