Clery Center Appoints Higher Education
and Nonprofit Leader as Executive Director
Clery Center is pleased to announce that the Board of Directors have named Bob Alig as our new Executive Director. Alig brings a wealth of higher education and nonprofit leadership experience and a passion for campus safety, and he looks forward to continuing Clery Center’s 35-plus-year legacy of working together with colleges and universities to create safer campuses.
“Following an extensive and comprehensive national search, we are thrilled to welcome Bob to Clery Center,” said Sheilah Vance, Esq., Chair of the Board of Directors. “With an impressive track record of working in higher education and for K-12 nonprofit organizations, inspiring teams of people, and engaging individuals, Bob will steer us through our next era of growth, impact, and excellence.”
Alig is an accomplished leader with over 25 years of experience dedicated to enhancing higher education and K-12 environments through safety, accessibility, and student-centered initiatives. As Director of MBA Admissions and Financial Aid at The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Alig prioritized comprehensive student welfare alongside academic excellence, leading global outreach initiatives anchored by inclusive recruitment strategies. He cultivated environments where students felt secure, supported, and empowered to achieve personal and professional success. Alig served as Assistant Vice President of University of Pennsylvania’s Alumni Relations, and he revitalized and reimagined Penn’s Alumni Relations office for several years, making it a true conduit for Penn’s Development program. Alig’s foray into for-profit education with the St. George’s University in a key alumni affairs role allowed him to unite global alumni communities, current students, and institutional stakeholders to support student development through safe and inclusive programming.
Alig’s tenure as Vice President of the Middle States Region of the College Board showcased his dedication to equity and access in education. He spearheaded initiatives that significantly increased Advanced Placement participation and performance among underrepresented communities, reinforcing the link between student well-being and academic achievement. Deeply committed to student safety and success, Alig most recently played an important role with Minds Matter, a national nonprofit focused on college access for first-generation and low-income students. As Interim Co-CEO and a longtime board member, he served as a thought leader on college readiness assessments and the broader higher education landscape.
A graduate of Penn’s College of Arts and Sciences and Wharton’s MBA program, Alig brings operational expertise, strategic vision, and a dedication to student welfare. Alig is a member of the Wissahickon Wanderers Running Club and has completed 17 marathons, including Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, New York City, and Paris, France. He has been a member and conference speaker for the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and he was selected by Stanford University for the Inaugural LGBTQ Executive Leadership Program in August 2016.
“Keeping campuses safe and helping them thrive isn’t just a professional mission—it’s personal with me,” Alig commented. “I am honored and energized to be the next Executive Director of the Clery Center, where my commitment to student well-being, evidence-based strategy, and servant leadership will drive measurable change nationwide. In concert with the Board and the staff, we will transform today’s campus safety challenges into tomorrow’s proven solutions and make an enduring difference for all students and the institutions that serve them.”
“We were looking for a candidate who could lead through challenging times and position Clery Center to thrive in the new national landscape,” said Maureen Rush, Chair of the Search Committee. “We believe that Bob possesses the intersection of business expertise, development experience, and a passion for campus safety, making him the perfect choice to honor the legacy of Jeanne Clery and the vision of Howard and Connie Clery.”
Andrew Wheeler from Lincoln Leadership assisted Clery Center’s Board with the Executive Director search. Lincoln Leadership is an experienced executive search firm focusing on nonprofits, higher education and academic medicine. Alig officially joined Clery Center on June 2. |
Clery Center Announces Leadership Transition
On behalf of the Clery Center board of directors, I want to share the bittersweet news that our executive director, Jessica Mertz, will be moving on to an exciting new role with the Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania, with her last day at Clery Center being February 21.
While we are sad to see Jess leave, we are incredibly grateful for her leadership and the lasting impact she has made during her time with Clery Center. Under her guidance, we have strengthened our commitment to campus safety, expanded our outreach and training programs, and played a critical role in advancing policies that protect students. Most notably, Jess’s leadership was instrumental in the passage of the Stop Campus Hazing Act, a landmark piece of legislation that enhances transparency and prevention efforts nationwide.
During one of the most challenging times in recent history, Jess led the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic, adapting programs to support the field while ensuring the well-being of our staff and community. She spearheaded the development and successful implementation of a five-year strategic plan, raising the organization's visibility, growing our membership program, and providing a strong foundation for Clery Center’s ongoing growth and impact. This included establishing Clery Center’s National Advisory Council, bringing together campus-based professionals from diverse roles and backgrounds to provide insight into the evolving landscape of campus safety, and the launch of an new Individual Membership tier, making our resources more accessible to campus professionals. Throughout her tenure, Jess has prioritized policies, processes, and partnerships centered around our mission and our core organizational values, fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusion, and sustainability.
As we begin this transition, we are pleased to share that Abigail Boyer, associate executive director, will step in as interim executive director, as she has done so effectively during previous leadership transitions. Abigail is a seasoned leader in campus safety, driving Clery Center’s mission since 2012 and spearheading nationwide initiatives to enhance prevention and response to campus violence. She successfully leads strategic partnerships, develops educational resources, and delivers expert guidance, while also shaping national conversations on the Clery Act. Abigail’s deep knowledge of our mission and her dedication to our work will ensure that we continue moving forward without interruption.
The board has already begun the search for our next executive director with the support of Andrew C. Wheeler at Lincoln Leadership. We are committed to finding a leader who will continue to advance our mission and build on the strong foundation that Jess, in partnership with the exceptional team and board, helped establish.
Please join us in thanking Jess for her years of dedication to Clery Center and wishing her all the best in her new role and future endeavors. You can read Jess’s letter about her departure here. We look forward to staying connected as she continues her work to empower and support young people.
With gratitude,
Sheilah Vance, Esq.
Chair, Board of Directors
Clery Center |
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Press Contact:
Matt Davis Communications
[email protected]
917-526-9530
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Senate Passes Stop Campus Hazing Act, Landmark Legislation to Combat Hazing on College Campuses
[Washington, DC, December 11, 2024] Today, the United States Senate passed the Stop Campus Hazing Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at preventing hazing on college campuses nationwide. The bill, which previously passed the House of Representatives, will now go to the President's desk to be signed into law.
The Stop Campus Hazing Act requires colleges and universities to implement comprehensive hazing prevention programs and to publicly report hazing incidents in their Annual Security Reports (Clery Reports). The bill increases transparency for students and parents by requiring institutions to disclose their hazing prevention policies and any organizations found in violation of these policies.
“We set out to make sure what happened to our son never happened again. No parent should have to bury their child, yet our son, Gary Jr., died of acute alcohol poisoning because of a fraternity hazing ritual at Rider University in 2007. Since then we have been urging Congress to pass legislation to curb hazing on college campuses, and the day has finally come,” said Julie and Gary DeVercelly. "This bill will save lives and make a real difference in the fight against hazing."
"The Stop Campus Hazing Act is a major victory for student safety. Every student deserves to feel safe at school, and families have the right to know the scope of hazing on college campuses. You can’t address a problem without first recognizing it, and this Act will increase transparency and raise awareness. Its passage is a testament to the tireless advocacy of hazing survivors, families, and organizations nationwide, as well as the dedication of its lead sponsors: Senator Amy Klobuchar (MN), Senator Bill Cassidy (LA), Representative Lucy McBath (GA), and Representative Jeff Duncan (SC)," said Jessica Mertz, Executive Director of the Clery Center.
This research-backed hazing prevention legislation will shift societal norms and structures that contribute to hazing, provide the public with more reliable information about hazing incidents, and support colleges and universities in preventing hazing,” said Dr. Elizabeth J. Allan, Professor of Higher Education at the University of Maine and Principal at StopHazing. “It will also empower students to make informed decisions about their involvement in campus organizations. Clery statistics and transparency reports, like those available at HazingInfo.org, will help students and families make more informed decisions.”
The Stop Campus Hazing Act is a significant step forward in the effort to end hazing on college campuses. By increasing transparency, accountability, and prevention, the legislation will help to create a safer and more welcoming environment for all students.
About Clery Center
Clery Center is a national nonprofit dedicated to helping college and university officials meet the standards of the Jeanne Clery Act. By equipping professionals with the training and resources they need to understand compliance requirements, we strive to make campus safety a universal reality. More at clerycenter.org.
About Stop Hazing
StopHazing’s mission is to promote safe and inclusive school, campus, and organizational environments through research, resource sharing, and the development of data-driven strategies for hazing prevention and the promotion of positive and inclusive group climates. More at StopHazing.org
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Rider University President Voices Support for Stop Campus Hazing Act
Rider University’s commitment to campus safety and hazing prevention is strongly reflected in letters of support for the Stop Campus Hazing Act from President Gregory G. Dell’Omo, Ph.D. These letters, addressed to Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Senator George Helmy (D-NJ), underscore Rider’s dedication to advancing hazing prevention efforts nationwide, especially in the wake of the tragic loss of Gary DeVercelly, Jr., a Rider student who passed away in 2007 as a result of hazing.
The Stop Campus Hazing Act (S.2901, H.R.5646), which passed in the U.S. House of Representatives and now heads to the Senate, would amend the Clery Act to require institutions to include hazing incidents in their annual security reports, enhance transparency of hazing policies and violations, and establish mandatory hazing prevention programs. Rider University has worked closely with the DeVercelly family, who serve on the board of Clery Center, to implement similar initiatives on campus, setting a powerful example for other institutions.
President Dell’Omo emphasizes that this legislation will be pivotal in advancing hazing prevention nationwide. We’re grateful for his advocacy, as well as the ongoing efforts of the Rider community, to help create safer, more accountable campus environments.
Read the letters (click to view larger):
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