Oak Park and River Forest High School has appointed Kristen Devitt as the new director of campus safety, a role that has seen frequent turnover over the last three years. 

Devitt succeeds Traycce Love, who resigned in April of 2024 after just four months. Love was preceded by Cindy Guerra, a former Chicago Police Officer who held the position for less than a semester. Before Guerra, Cherylynn Jones-McLeod had the job for a year. All resigned due to personal reasons.  

The new hire earned her bachelor of science in sociology from Illinois State University in 1999 and later obtained a master’s degree in adult education and teaching from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 2014. 

Previously the regional director of security at Kaiser Permanente Medical Hospital in Honolulu, Devitt has returned to her hometown of Chicago to further her career in campus safety. “I graduated from Naperville Central, so this is really kind of home to me,” said Devitt. 

“The hiring process was rigorous,” said Assistant Principal of Operations David Narain. “Kristen Devitt was significantly qualified as she checked off every box and more in what we were  looking for.” 

Applicants for the position faced multiple interviews with a second-round panel of deans and teachers, who assessed their responses to emergency scenarios and evaluated their rationale. Narain added, “Devitt’s resume and initial responses put her head and shoulders above any of the other candidates.”

Principal Lynda Parker noted that Devitt’s diverse experience in various fields brings an integrated perspective to the role. “She has experience in different aspects of positions within the school system,” Parker explained. “You’re not just seeing it from a police or discipline point of view, but looking at it holistically.”

As the new school year begins, Devitt is introducing new plans for both security and equity. With her background in police work and child protective services, particularly in handling domestic violence cases, communication is a top priority for her. “I sat down with all of the campus safety staff, and for the first time, we developed our own mission, vision and value statements,” Devitt said.

In response to the recent Apalachee High School shooting and other tragic events, Devitt is more committed than ever to improving safety protocols. “We are dedicated to developing our emergency management plans and changing our approach to certain types of incidents. There will be communication early and often with everyone involved,” she emphasized.

Devitt’s focus is a work environment centered on the development and safety of children, according to Narain. “We needed someone who, on a day-to-day basis, understands how to work with kids,” he said. “That requires a deep understanding of adolescence, development and social-emotional wellness.” 

Balancing the need for safety with student emotional wellness is also a focus for Devitt, who recognized that “feelings aren’t always facts.” We often project our own experiences and expect others to act according to our own ideas,” she said. She noted that in student interactions, it’s crucial to “ask questions rather than making demands,” as this approach helps build stronger relationships.

To enhance school safety awareness and progress within our educational community, Devitt plans to gradually introduce the I Love You Guys Foundation  an organization founded by parents who lost their child in a school shooting and who now pioneer new safety protocols.“At the end of the day, it’s just all about our children and making sure that they can go to school and be safe,” Devitt said. 

Devitt’s’ primary goal is to establish a clear line of trust between students while recognizing that “that trust is earned.” Devitt believes our community’s safety is a reflection of our collective responsibility and effort to maintain it.