Maureen S. Rush is currently the Vice President of Public Safety for the University of Pennsylvania.   Vice President Rush directs the tactical and strategic direction of five departments; the 100 member Penn Police, the Security and Technical Services, the Fire and Emergency Services, the Special Services and the Finance and Administrative departments.  

Prior to holding the position of Vice President for Public Safety, Ms. Rush was the Chief of the Penn Police Department from 1996 through 2000, and the Director of Special Services within the Division of Public Safety  from 1994 through 1996 at the University of Pennsylvania.

Prior to coming to the University of Pennsylvania Ms. Rush had a distinguished law enforcement career with the Philadelphia Police Department from 1976 through 1994.  Ms. Rush served in various positions, namely: the Patrol Division, Anti-Crime Unit, Traffic Division,  Narcotics Unit, and the Training Bureau.   In 1976 Ms. Rush was one of the first 100 women police officers hired to serve the City of Philadelphia on “street patrol.” 

During her tenure as the Chief of Police the University of Pennsylvania Police Department evolved into a model campus law enforcement agency, continually meeting the challenges faced by an urban university, and continuing to strengthen its relationships with the community and with the city.  In March 2001 the Penn Police were awarded National Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), thereby becoming the first nationally accredited campus police agency within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Ms. Rush has extensive knowledge of urban law enforcement and the interaction between campus and the community.  The Division of Public Safety has become a national model for its successful Private/Public venture.  Ms. Rush serves on numerous committees and task forces within the City and State, which address these key interests.   In 1999 she served as a member of Mayor John Street’s Public Safety Transition Team, and continues to work closely with numerous City of Philadelphia agencies, most importantly the Philadelphia Police and Fire Departments.

Ms. Rush received numerous commendations from the Philadelphia Police department and has received awards from the Chapel of the Four Chaplains, The Bryn Mar Women’s Business Association and the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Pennsylvania. 

Education: Ms. Rush holds a M.S. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Arts and Sciences.