Brian McPherson

Brian McPherson serves as Deputy Vice President for Public Safety, bringing over 25 years of experience in law enforcement and public safety leadership to Columbia. Brian is responsible for overseeing a department comprising more than 350 uniform and administrative safety professionals responsible for maintaining a safe environment supporting Columbia’s academic and research mission across its campuses. 

Most recently before joining Columbia, he held a senior role at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department, where he oversaw daily operations, emergency response, and special event coordination across the agency’s vast transportation network – serving millions of travelers by rail, bus, air, and sea each year. Among notable accomplishments during his tenure at the Port Authority, Brian led critical initiatives including the response to Hurricane Maria, the development of the department’s Counterterrorism Unit, and the establishment of a Special Operations Training School focused on emergency preparedness. 

Prior to joining the Port Authority, Brian spent 26 years with the New Jersey State Police, rising through leadership ranks and directing the division’s Homeland Security Branch. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy’s 225th Session and was honored as Atlantic County Trooper of the Year in 2001