WILLIAMSBURG — Cliff Everton, executive assistant director of global and Atlantic operations at the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, has been selected as William & Mary’s associate vice president for public safety.
The new role elevates and connects various aspects of public safety across the university — including the W&M Police Department, Emergency Management, Risk Management and Threat Assessment — to create a more comprehensive approach to the evolving security needs of a modern university campus.
“William & Mary is fortunate indeed that Cliff Everton will be joining our community as AVP for Public Safety,” said Senior Vice President for Student Affairs & Public Safety Ginger Ambler. “He brings an exceptional breadth and depth of experience from his career at NCIS, and our community will also benefit from the years he’s spent developing strong partnerships with regional intelligence and law enforcement agencies. A values-driven executive leader, his professional portfolio reflects his commitment to excellence, integrity, compassion and service to others. I am delighted to welcome him back to his alma mater and to my senior leadership team.”
Everton has over 25 years of experience in law enforcement, including more than 18 years in leadership at NCIS, the civilian federal law enforcement agency responsible for the Navy and Marine Corps.
As associate vice president for public safety at William & Mary, Everton will function as the senior safety and security official for the university. He will start in the new role on June 10.
“After serving nearly 26 years with NCIS in assignments around the world, I am excited to return to my alma mater and Williamsburg — my hometown,” he said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to join Dr. Ginger Ambler’s amazing Student Affairs and Public Safety team and work with dedicated professionals like William & Mary Police Chief Don Butler. I look forward to connecting and collaborating closely with the faculty, staff and students of William & Mary and the local community.”
At William & Mary, Everton will develop, plan, implement and lead a comprehensive public safety organization that works in tandem with other public safety groups on campus. He will also join with Student Affairs in campuswide efforts to prevent and respond to student mental health crises, acts of sexual violence and other concerns.
Everton’s other responsibilities will include chairing the Activities & Events Planning and Response Team, updating university leadership on new requirements and trends in safety and security and serving as principal advisor to senior management on policy and program matters related to campus security.
Everton will also strengthen relationships between public safety at William & Mary and on- and off-campus communities. A graduate of the Executive Leaders Program at the Center for Homeland Defense and Security at the Naval Postgraduate School, he discovered his passion for building connections across police, fire and emergency management departments, and he still maintains a strong network of connections throughout Hampton Roads.
Everton graduated from William & Mary with a Bachelor of Arts in government and earned a Master of Arts in security management from Webster University in 1999 before joining NCIS. He went on to serve in various journeyman and leadership positions for the agency, eventually being promoted to assistant director of Atlantic operations before assuming his latest role in 2022.
“I never imagined my journey would lead me back to William & Mary so many years after graduating,” Everton said. “Yet, I can think of no higher purpose than working every day to ensure the safety and security of all who teach, learn, live and work together at William & Mary. I can’t wait to get started. Go, Tribe!”
Read the full story at W&M News.
