Full Name
Dr. Joseph McKenna
Job Title
Senior Director of Projects, Programs & Training
Company
Safe and Sound Schools
Speaker Bio
Dr. Joseph M. McKenna currently serves as the Senior Director of Projects, Programs, and Training for Safe and Sound Schools. Before coming to Safe and Sound, he was the Vice President for Threat Detection Program Development for Navigate360 where he leads the program development team for focused on translating school safety strategies from concept to practical application with a focus on fidelity and sustainability. McKenna also served as the Director of School Safety in WestEd’s Justice and Prevention Research Center where he worked collaboratively with local districts, government entities, community-based organizations, and other partners to conduct research, evaluation, and policy analysis and to provide technical assistance that informs efforts to increase safety for individuals, schools, and communities.
Prior to WestEd, Dr. McKenna served as the Deputy Superintendent for Comal ISD (TX) where he oversaw all operational aspects of district, including safety, security, and nursing; counseling and student support; child nutrition, transportation, technology; and facilities. Prior to that, McKenna served as the Executive Director of Safety and Student Support where he was responsible for ensuring district compliance with all state and federal requirements related to school safety as well as implementing best practices to ensure all staff and students had a safe learning environment. He also oversaw the district’s student support services department which provides mental health and crisis supports to students and staff.
He also spent over seven years at the Texas School Safety Center, leaving as the Associate Director. In this position, his main duties were to oversee all operations of the research and education divisions, including implementation of all legislative mandates and programming (i.e., technical assistance, training programs, and resource development) pertaining to school safety in the state of Texas. Dr. McKenna received his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Criminal Justice from Texas State University in 2016, where almost all his work focused on school safety. He has published numerous articles in academic journals, technical reports, and other scholarly products.
Prior to WestEd, Dr. McKenna served as the Deputy Superintendent for Comal ISD (TX) where he oversaw all operational aspects of district, including safety, security, and nursing; counseling and student support; child nutrition, transportation, technology; and facilities. Prior to that, McKenna served as the Executive Director of Safety and Student Support where he was responsible for ensuring district compliance with all state and federal requirements related to school safety as well as implementing best practices to ensure all staff and students had a safe learning environment. He also oversaw the district’s student support services department which provides mental health and crisis supports to students and staff.
He also spent over seven years at the Texas School Safety Center, leaving as the Associate Director. In this position, his main duties were to oversee all operations of the research and education divisions, including implementation of all legislative mandates and programming (i.e., technical assistance, training programs, and resource development) pertaining to school safety in the state of Texas. Dr. McKenna received his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Criminal Justice from Texas State University in 2016, where almost all his work focused on school safety. He has published numerous articles in academic journals, technical reports, and other scholarly products.
Speaking At
