Kathy Zoner

Captain Kathy Zoner has been named the new assistant director of Cornell University Police. Her promotion to assistant director and captain became effective Nov. 1.

"I'm delighted that Kathy has accepted the position of assistant director of Cornell University Police," said Cornell Police Director Curtis Ostrander. "Her leadership skills, coupled with her experience and work ethic, will allow her to contribute significantly to the accomplishment of our goals. She has a strong belief in contributing to the community, both at work and at home, and views treating people with respect and fairness as a primary part of her job."

Zoner has served more than 14 years with Cornell Police and is the highest-ranking woman in the history of the department. She moved to Ithaca in 1990 after graduating from Ohio State University and began her career with Cornell Police in 1991 as a police dispatcher, moving quickly to patrol officer in 1992. Zoner was promoted to sergeant in 1995. After serving as sergeant for two years, she moved laterally to become the department's special projects manager. As special projects manager, she was a member of Cornell's Events Management Planning Team, which coordinates with different student organizations, staff and faculty to help plan safe events on campus. She attained the rank of lieutenant in 2001.

Off campus, Zoner has volunteered as a board member and eventually also served as board president for Ithaca Rape Crisis.

"I have worked with Chief Ostrander for several years and feel that our combined skills and ideas will be synergistic to the department's growth and development," Zoner said. "I am thrilled to be appointed to the position and to still play a significant part in continuing to develop and mentor Cornell Police staff. I hope to focus on actively building key liaisons with other law enforcement agencies, the district attorney's office and throughout the Cornell community, and to bridge any gaps in the community around understanding who Cornell Police are, what we do and how we do it."