Students, faculty and counselors told AGB Search listening sessions that campus safety incidents and insufficient mental-health capacity are pressing problems that should be prioritized by the next president. Speakers referenced recent campus deaths and shootings and urged coordinated emergency response planning, more visible patrols, improved lighting and training so staff and students can respond if an incident occurs.

"There needs to be a concerted effort to ensure the safety of our students and whatever that entails," said a counselor from the LaTosha Norman Center, urging action on training and emergency response protocols. Student speakers recalled multiple deaths during recent academic years and described dark spots on campus they view as safety risks. Several asked that the presidential profile direct applicants to demonstrate experience with campus public-safety strategy and with community partnerships that strengthen policing and emergency medical response.

Counseling staff also asked that mental-health resources be a top priority. Sarita Washington, who identified herself as an assistant director for the university's counseling center, said the succession of leadership changes and recent traumatic campus events have placed extra strain on students and that the next president should prioritize clinical staffing and accessible programming.

Speakers asked for short-term actions (lighting, visible patrols, active emergency drills and clear communications) as well as longer-term planning to make campus safety a central objective of the new administration. The search consultants said they will include these operational needs in the presidential profile so candidates can address specific preparedness and student-support plans.