Pace University's PEER Program Receives Clery Center's 2026 Campus Safety Impact Award

Clery Center is proud to announce that Pace University's Pace Emergency Evacuation Registry (PEER) has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 Campus Safety Impact Award.

The Campus Safety Impact Award recognizes innovative programs and initiatives that have made a meaningful difference in advancing safety, prevention, and well-being on campus. This year's recipient exemplifies the power of collaboration, innovation, and inclusive planning to create safer learning environments for all members of a campus community.

Developed by the Pace Working Group on Accessible Emergency Management and led by Andy Lewen, Director of Emergency Management and Business Continuity with Brian Anderson, Assistant Vice President for Safety and Emergency Management, PEER is a voluntary, confidential program designed to support students, faculty, and staff who may need assistance during a building emergency or evacuation.

What sets PEER apart is its innovative use of existing campus technology to provide targeted, real-time support during emergencies. The program integrates with Pace University's access control system, using building card swipe data to identify registered participants who may be present in an affected building. During an emergency, enrolled community members receive a text message asking them to confirm their location and whether they need assistance. If help is needed, that information is immediately shared with responding security personnel, allowing them to coordinate support and communicate critical location information to first responders.

The program was designed to address a vital campus safety need: ensuring that emergency preparedness and response efforts are accessible and inclusive for everyone. PEER supports individuals with permanent and temporary accessibility needs, including mobility limitations, visual and hearing impairments, cognitive conditions, medical conditions, and short-term injuries or recovery periods. Participants can confidentially self-identify their assistance needs without disclosing specific medical information, helping to protect privacy while ensuring support is available when it matters most.

Equity and inclusion were central to the development of PEER. Pace University partnered with stakeholders across the institution—including Student Affairs, Student Accessibility Services, OASIS, Human Resources, Athletics, Residential Life, Staff Council, and student organizations—to create a program that reflects the diverse needs of its community. “Designing systems that work for people with disabilities strengthens preparedness for everyone,” said Lewen. By intentionally including individuals with both permanent and temporary needs, PEER broadens access to emergency support and reinforces the university's commitment to inclusive preparedness.

“Designing systems that work for people with disabilities strengthens preparedness for everyone.”

– Andy Lewen, Director of Emergency Management and Business Continuity, Pace University

The initiative is particularly impactful in Pace University's urban high-rise environment, where traditional evacuation procedures can present significant challenges for individuals requiring assistance. PEER shifts emergency response from a reactive process to a proactive one, helping responders quickly identify and assist community members who may be at greater risk during an emergency.

"PEER demonstrates what is possible when institutions thoughtfully leverage technology, collaboration, and accessibility to strengthen campus safety," said Bob Alig, Executive Director of Clery Center. "By proactively identifying and supporting individuals who may need assistance during emergencies, Pace University has created a model that advances both safety and equity."

As PEER continues to expand and evolve, it offers a promising example for campuses seeking innovative approaches to emergency management and inclusive safety planning.

Clery Center congratulates Pace University and the PEER team on this well-deserved recognition and their ongoing commitment to building safer, more inclusive campus communities. Be sure to register for our free National Campus Safety Awareness Month (NCSAM) Virtual Summit on September 10 to learn more about this innovative program, as members of the Pace team will share insights from the development and implementation of PEER during the Campus Safety Impact Award session, sponsored by GradGuard.

Applications for the 2027 Campus Safety Impact Award will open next spring!