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Threat Assessment Team

Working Together to Prevent Campus Violence

Threat Assessment Team

Campus violence prevention depends on you, the SWCC community, to notice and refer potentially worrisome behaviors or situations before they result in harm.

A person that receives help sooner, rather than later, may be less likely to experience more severe symptoms or cause harm to self or others. Thus, threat assessment is a supportive process, not a disciplinary or punitive one.

It is the goal of the Threat Assessment Team (TAT) to provide a safe campus environment for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors. The TAT will take preventive measures to identify, assess, and intervene in situations that pose a threat to the safety of the campus community.

What you can do to help?

Violence prevention is best accomplished by stopping the process before it gets started. Maintaining a healthy campus environment is the responsibility of everyone. Recognizing the early warning signs that could lead to violence provides the opportunity for early intervention.

We would like you to share your observations. If a situation or someone’s behavior causes you to be concerned, remember “It may be nothing, BUT…”

How to report suspicious behavior.

Anyone can file a report of suspicious behavior. This includes students, faculty, staff, and visitors. You may report incidents in the following way:
• Call campus police (276-964-7603)
• Email or call a member of the TAT listed below
• In–person visit with a member of the TAT
• Submit your observations through TIPS


Threat Assessment Team Members

  • Jerry Stinson – Chair – Program Director Administration of Justice –  276-964-7203 – jerry.stinson@sw.edu
  • Dyan Lester – VP of Finance & Administration/Title IX Coordinator – 276-964-7677 – dyan.lester@sw.edu
  • M.D. McGhee – Chief of Campus Police – 276-964-7203 OR on campus 7221 – millard.mcghee@sw.edu
  • Kim Steiner – Associate Vice President of Human Resources/Deputy Title IX Coordinator – 276-964-7389 – kim.steiner@sw.edu
  • Dr. Mike Henry – Director of Student Support Services – 276-964-7233 – mike.henry@sw.edu
  • Melissa Stiltner – Director of Distance Learning – 276-964-7706 – melissa.stiltner@sw.edu

Note: All members of the Threat Assessment Team are considered to be school officials and will have complete access to student records when necessary to do their job.

About TAT

Mission Statement: It is the goal of the Threat Assessment Team (TAT) to provide a safe campus environment for students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors. The TAT will take preventive measures to identify, assess, and intervene in situations that pose a threat to the safety of the campus community.

Who we are: In adherence to Virginia Code 23-9.2:20, Southwest Virginia Community College has established a Threat Assessment Team, comprised of representatives of student affairs, law enforcement, human resources, and counseling services. The team meets on a regular basis to evaluate threat referrals and, if necessary, act on threat referrals.

What we do: Southwest Virginia Community College is invested in providing a climate of safety to all those who work, study, and visit our campus. Violence or threats of violence on campus or at any of our campus-sponsored events will not be tolerated. Every member of the campus community is expected to participate in keeping our campus safe by reporting any suspicious behavior to the campus Threat Assessment Team.

The Threat Assessment Team (TAT) is comprised of faculty, staff, administrators, and campus law enforcement. The purpose of the team is to take a proactive stand to prevent crisis situations before they occur. The TAT utilizes a multidisciplinary team approach to identify, prioritize, and plan intervention strategies. The TAT will not only address specific threats, but also examines general risks and vulnerabilities.

TAT Faculty Staff Action Guide

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All Locations: 2-Hour Delay on Monday, January 22, 2024.