Deputy Chief Kathy Zoner, an 18-year veteran of Cornell University Police, has been appointed interim chief of the department. She succeeds Curtis S. Ostrander, who has served as chief since 2005.

Ostrander is stepping down to concentrate on his responsibilities as interim vice president for risk management and public safety, a position he has been asked by Executive Vice President Stephen T. Golding to retain until the end of the year, Ostrander said.

"With her strong leadership skills and extensive experience in law enforcement, Kathy will provide effective management of Cornell Police," said Ostrander. "She has led new initiatives in the department and built strong relationships with students and other campus units, as well as in the community. I am confident she is the best person to guide Cornell Police through this period of transition for the department and university."

Information about the search for a permanent chief will be announced at a later date.

"Chief Ostrander has provided an excellent example of leadership, not only for me, but for our entire staff," Zoner said. "My challenge will be to lead our department during a time of transition for the entire university. I look forward to the opportunity to fully embrace our department's charge: to partner with the community in keeping our campus as safe as possible."

Zoner was appointed captain and assistant director of Cornell Police in 2005 and deputy chief in 2007, making her the highest-ranking policewoman in Cornell history. She began her career in 1991 as a dispatcher and became a patrol officer in 1992. She was promoted to sergeant in 1995 and two years later was named special projects manager. In that position, she served on the university's Events Management Planning Team, working with student organizations, faculty and staff to plan safe events on campus. She was promoted to lieutenant in 2001.

Active in the community, Zoner has been a board member and president of Ithaca Rape Crisis. She has mentored several Alternative Breaks programs through the Cornell Public Service Center and represents Cornell in liaisons with community law enforcement agencies locally and nationally. In 2003 Zoner received the Michael Padula Award from the Tompkins County Human Rights Commission for her advocacy of diversity and human rights.

Zoner is a graduate of Ohio State University (1985) and the FBI National Academy (2007).