By: Allison Hernandez, Staff Writer
Newman University’s new director of security, Chad Flesher, brings 32 years of law enforcement experience to the job.
Flesher started his position Friday, Oct. 9, and replaces Carlos Atondo, who took the job over in October of last year.
Before coming to Newman, Flesher spent 24 years with the Saline County Sheriff’s Office in Salina, where he worked in corrections, as a patrol officer and as a school resource officer.
He later joined the Mount Hope Police Department as a school resource officer, a job he held for eight years. In that job, he worked with students with special needs from nine school districts.
“It was a really challenging but rewarding time,” Flesher said.
As he approached retirement from law enforcement, Flesher came across the job opening at Newman. He said he contacted Kristi Barton Edwards, a professor of criminal justice at the university, to ask whether the position would be a good fit.
Flesher said Barton Edwards encouraged him to pursue the opportunity.
“She says, ‘Chad, you will love it,’” Flesher said.
Since starting the position, Flesher said, he has enjoyed getting to know the campus community, particularly through student interactions and sporting events.
During his first weekend at Newman, he attended the homecoming tailgate, a volleyball game and other campus activities.
“I had not realized how much I missed working in a more general education setting,” Flesher said. “I missed those sporting events. I missed the student interaction.”
