Gloria Graham joined the University of Virginia as its Associate Vice President for Safety and Security, a newly created position, in May 2018. The University created the position following a review after the August 2017 violence related to the far-right rally. By consolidating safety and security functions into one division, the University aims to benefit from improved coordination, communication, oversight and budgeting.

Graham serves as the principal administrator in planning, directing and managing the comprehensive law enforcement, general security, workforce safety and emergency preparedness services for all components of the University. Her responsibilities include the management of the University’s Academic Division and Medical Center emergency preparedness and business continuity plans, as well as operational oversight of the University Police Department, the Security Systems and Services Unit, the Office of Safety and Emergency Preparedness and the public safety-related aspects of the Office of Environmental Health & Safety.

Prior to join the University of Virginia, she served as Assistant Vice President for Police Services and Deputy Chief of Police at Northwestern University. There she was responsible for police, special event, and security operations for both the Evanston and Chicago campuses. Previously, Gloria was Assistant Vice President and Assistant Chief of police at the University of Chicago. She was the first female Chief of Police for the University of Tennessee flagship campus in Knoxville Tennessee. She was also the Assistant Chief of Police with Duke University and held senior level management positions with the University of Southern California and Florida Atlantic University Police Department. She began her campus law enforcement career in her hometown of Terre Haute IN with Indiana State University.

Gloria holds a Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies from North Carolina Wesleyan University, a Masters in Leadership Development from St. Mary of the Woods College and is a graduate of the Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command.