Howard Community College Names New Director of Public Safety
Howard Community College President Daria J. Willis today announced Douglass Morency as the college's new Director of Public Safety. Morency brings more than 20 years of progressive leadership experience in public safety, security operations, and community engagement to the role.
"We are thrilled to welcome Morency to Howard Community College," said Willis. "His extensive experience across higher education, K–12, and public-sector institutions and his commitment to building relationships and serving diverse communities make him an ideal leader for our campus safety programming."
Morency has distinguished himself as a strategic leader and stakeholder-centered public safety advocate in high-profile emergency, risk, and security management roles. He previously served as Associate Vice President for Campus Safety at the Maryland Institute College of Art, where he led a team of 54 and managed security operations for more than 2,700 students and employees. As Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police for the District of Columbia Public Library System, he oversaw a team of more than 40 officers across 26 locations and managed a $3 million budget.
His experience also includes senior leadership roles at Bates College, Fairfax County Public Schools, and Flint Hill School, as well as service as a police officer with the Winchester, Fairfax City, and Metropolitan Police Departments.
A certified A.L.I.C.E. Instructor, Morency also holds training credentials in Run-Hide-Fight, Mental Health First Aid, Restorative Justice, and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). He is fluent in French and Haitian Creole and has extensive experience engaging diverse communities, mentoring students, and partnering with local and federal law enforcement agencies.
"I am honored to join Howard Community College and contribute to its community-focused mission," Morency said. "My goal is to support an environment where students feel safe, connected, and empowered to pursue their dreams."
Morency begins his role at HCC on December 17, 2025.