September 8, 2023
Chance hired as inaugural chief risk and safety officer
Brandon Chance will join Kansas State University as the inaugural chief risk and safety officer effective Oct. 2.
"Brandon brings a vast amount of knowledge and experience to K-State," said Ethan Erickson, vice president for administration and finance. "His collaborative approach with his team and the broader campus community will be critical as we align our risk and safety functions to best serve the university."
Chance currently serves as the executive director of environmental health and safety at Southern Methodist University where he is also an adjunct faculty member in the Lyle School of Engineering. Previously, he served as the chemical safety program manager at Princeton University and as the safety and environmental compliance manager at Texas A&M University at Qatar. Chance received a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Texas Lutheran University and a master's degree in chemistry from Texas A&M University.
As chief risk and safety officer, Chance will manage the university's risk profile and lead the enterprise risk management program. He will direct the creation and implementation of a collaborative, enterprisewide approach to risk management. Chance will oversee the development of a university security master plan; university, campus and department safety and emergency response plans and procedures; and university emergency training programs. He will lead the new Division of Safety and Risk Services which will oversee the areas of environmental health and safety, campus police, and risk and compliance.
"I am very excited to begin my journey at K-State and be a part of the Next-Gen K-State," Chance said. "As a dynamic research campus with world-class facilities and the number one town and gown relationship in the country, this is a unique place. Add to that the distinction of being the first operational land-grant university in the country and setting the standard for the next generation of land-grant universities, and there really is no place else like it. Risk and safety initiatives are all-encompassing and include every single member of the campus community and every visitor to K-State. I am looking forward to working with each and every one of you to make K-State a safer place and lead the Division of Safety and Risk Services."