Santa Fe College recently announced that Santa Fe College Police Department (SFPD) Maj. Ryan Woods has been selected as the new chief of police.
Woods, who will start his new position on Oct. 1, currently serves as SFPD’s second-highest ranking member, according to an SF press release.
He currently leads SFPD’s administrative and operational functions, while also chairing the college’s Behavioral Intervention Team, facilitating threat assessments and cross-functional response plans, and leading emergency communication strategies, safety presentations and collegewide orientations.
“Major Woods has a proven track record of public service and is deeply committed to campus safety,” the release said. “He will bring a collaborative, innovative and community-focused approach to the position and will continue to advance SFPD by building on its previous accomplishments.”
Woods’ selection is the result of a search launched in late May following the retirement announcement of current SFPD Chief Ed Book. His retirement comes after more than 40 years of public safety service, including 26 ½ years with the Gainesville Police Department (GPD) and the last 14 with SF.
The screening committee, which consists of SF employees and members of the community, reviewed the pool of candidates for the position and conducted semifinalist interviews prior to offering its recommendation.
Finalists were then invited to the SF campus for interviews and to take part in a college forum.
A Gainesville native, Woods received both an Associate of Arts and an Associate of Science degrees in Criminal Justice from SF and is a graduate of the college’s Institute of Public Safety’s law enforcement program. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science in Public Administration from Saint Leo University.
In addition to his academic degrees, Woods taught as an adjunct professor in the SF Criminal Justice program, served as the college’s Recruitment and Retention manager and established the Association of Florida Colleges Campus Safety Commission.
Nick Anschultz is a Report for America corps member and writes about education for Mainstreet Daily News. This position is supported by local donations through the Community Catalyst for Local Journalism Fund at the Community Foundation of North Central Florida.