LEWISTON, ID — The director of public safety at Lewis-Clark State College has been selected for an international award recognizing excellence in campus law enforcement leadership.
Dustin Guenthner has been named the recipient of the 2026 Administrative Excellence Award from the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators. The award will be presented June 27 during the organization’s annual conference in Orlando, Florida.
Guenthner, who serves as LC State’s director of public safety, also oversees Title IX and Clery Act compliance and works as the college’s emergency manager. He is a key member of the school’s behavioral threat assessment and management team.
He joined the college in 2021, helping lead the consolidation of security, Title IX, and emergency management into a unified public safety department. After being promoted to director in 2023, Guenthner continued efforts to standardize operations, expand training, and update policies and procedures.
According to college officials, those efforts have led to measurable changes, including a 160% increase in campus safety walk and escort usage and a 40% rise in mental health-related reports. Guenthner also helped launch the “See Tell Now” tip line, allowing students and staff to report concerns.
In addition, he secured funding for an extra full-time officer, increased support for student officers, and implemented cost-saving measures within the department. He also worked to gain approval for officers to carry duty firearms while on patrol and obtained funding for necessary training and equipment.
Supporters say Guenthner’s leadership has focused on building trust and engagement across campus. In nomination materials, colleagues pointed to his emphasis on communication, staff involvement, and professional development.
The IACLEA award recognizes outstanding service in areas such as policy development, investigations, crime prevention, and administrative innovation. The organization is the largest professional association dedicated to campus public safety and law enforcement.
