By When most students at Carroll College heard the name “Securitas,” it didn’t mean much, just another unfamiliar label tied to campus security.
But that’s beginning to change.
With a new name, clearer goals, and expanded safety efforts, the college is working to turn an overlooked program into something students can recognize, trust, and feel connected to.
Throughout the past couple of months, you may have seen the big signs and logos that say: “Saints Safety, & Security,” or in other words, the S³.
“My philosophy behind S³ is to have something different that students, faculty, and staff can grab onto that has meaning,” said Jay Nelson, the director of campus safety and security. “Instead of using a vendor name, it’s something that rather is ingrained in our culture.”
Nelson has more than 25 years of experience in law enforcement, with most coming from the Montana Highway Patrol.
The title change to “safety and security” emphasized that everybody should feel safe on campus.
“Yes, we have security and use that security, but truly, it’s about safety,” said Nelson.
Not only was there a rebranding, but adjustments that will impact campus safety at Carroll have already begun.
On Jan. 14, Nelson released an email to all students describing these new updates.
According to the email, Carroll College received a $1.1 million donation from the Simperman-Corette Foundation to significantly enhance security video coverage across campus.
With an expected completion date at the end of July or early August, it plans to expand security camera coverage across public areas of campus, with close to 300 total cameras going up.
This will include parking lots, academic buildings, all other campus buildings, and key outdoor spaces.
Not only are cameras being added, but additional lighting is actively being worked on through phases across the campus.
With these updates also come other new additions to the Saints’ Safety & Security team.
On Jan. 5, Jenna Potratz took on the assistant director of campus security and public safety role. Potratz is a Montana native from the Belgrade and Bozeman area.
After joining the Navy, she took on many roles in many locations for nearly seven years. She started in Washington, guarding and teaching nuclear assets for three years, and then moved to Sicily for three years to contribute to Navy law enforcement, physical security, and anti-terrorism.
After moving up the career ladder, she eventually came home to Montana in December 2024 and from there took on roles with Gallatin County doing search and rescue. She also volunteered with Three Forks, driving ambulances for medical calls, all while working on a bachelor’s degree in emergency and disaster management.
“My whole life has been around emergency services and different versions of that,” said Potratz. “It’s been amazing how much of my experience in different pieces now translates here.”
As the assistant director of campus security, Potratz is taking on the role of managing the parking program, lost and found program, the security team, the new student safety team, and assisting Nelson with any of the new projects happening on Carroll.
One of the newest additions to Carroll’s safety program is the student safety team, where Carroll students get the opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes to keep the campus safe.
“Our student safety program has certifications in CPR, AED, first aid, and we are going to continue to give them training on more things like fire extinguishers or jumping a car. All all great life skills for anyone to learn,” said Potratz.
The Saints Safety & Security rebrand is more than just a new name.
It represents a shift in how safety is understood and experienced at Carroll. With new technology, trained student involvement, and dedicated staff, the program is becoming something students can recognize, trust, and rely on as part of everyday campus life.
