Meet Concordia Nebraska Director of Safety and Security Dana Metzger

Dana Metzger serves Concordia University, Nebraska as director of safety and security and Title IX coordinator. He oversees campus safety and security operations, emergency management, Title IX compliance, investigations and crisis response planning. He has been with the university since 2024.

“That includes a variety of other duties that generally fall under the category of ‘things we hope never happen but need to be prepared for anyway’,” he chuckled. “My goal is to help create a safe, welcoming and prepared environment where students, faculty, staff and visitors can focus on learning, growing and fulfilling the university's mission.” 

Metzger has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, earned while participating in Air Force ROTC. He also has a master of arts in criminal justice from American Military university. In addition, he has completed numerous military leadership, security, intelligence, emergency management and executive development programs throughout his career.

He said he loves his job with the university and loves building relationships with students, faculty and staff, working alongside them to solve problems before they become emergencies. 

“I am proud of the progress our team has made strengthening campus safety, emergency preparedness, security operations and campus partnerships. Building relationships across departments and helping create a culture of preparedness has been one of the most rewarding parts of the job,” he explained. “I've spent most of my career working in environments where people were having some of the worst days of their lives. It's refreshing to work in a place where the mission is helping young people prepare for the future.” 

“What stands out at Concordia is the sense of community. People support each other here. Students aren't just numbers and employees aren't just positions on an organizational chart. There's a strong sense that we're all working toward something bigger than ourselves.” 

Metzger said that Concordia Nebraska is a special place to work because people genuinely care for each other. 

“I've worked on military bases around the world, in correctional institutions and in public safety organizations,” he said. “What stands out at Concordia is the sense of community. People support each other here. Students aren't just numbers and employees aren't just positions on an organizational chart. There's a strong sense that we're all working toward something bigger than ourselves.” 

He said his work at Concordia gives him an opportunity to both live out and strengthen his faith. 

“Much of my work involves helping people through difficult situations, uncertainty and crisis. Those moments remind me daily of the importance of compassion, grace, patience and servant leadership,” he said. “Concordia also provides opportunities to openly discuss faith, purpose and service in ways that are increasingly rare. Being part of a Christ-centered community challenges me to continue growing both professionally and personally.” 

Metzger and his wife returned to Nebraska after careers that took them around the world. After retiring from the United States Air Force and serving in corrections and public safety leadership roles, he said coming home to Nebraska felt like coming full circle. When he’s not at work, you'll find Metzger on the family farm, smoking barbecue, gardening, fishing, golfing, working on projects around the property or trying to convince himself that he knows how to paint like Bob Ross. 

He also enjoys teaching, mentoring, reading and studying leadership, history, emergency management, anything to do with crime and the criminal element and criminal justice. He said he believes leadership is ultimately about service. 

“Over the course of my career, I've had the privilege of serving in the military, leading correctional institutions, managing emergency operations and now helping support a university community. The titles have changed, but the mission has remained largely the same: take care of people, solve problems and leave things better than you found them,” he said. “I also firmly believe that most crises are prevented long before anyone realizes one was coming. A lot of our work in safety and security happens quietly behind the scenes. If students, faculty, staff and visitors feel safe enough to focus on learning, teaching and building relationships, then we're doing our job right.”

At Concordia University, Nebraska, ensuring a safe environment where students can focus on their academic, spiritual and personal growth Safety and Security’s top priority. From providing 24/7 patrols and emergency response services to offering safety education and maintaining secure facilities, the campus security team works tirelessly to protect and serve the Concordia community.