UNC Review Finds Strong Threat System—But Recommends Key Changes

University of Northern Colorado completed a year-long review of its campus threat assessment systems and found the current approach is solid—but needs refinement. Criminology professor Kyle Ward led the evaluation, which examined how UNC identifies and responds to students in distress.

As high-profile school shootings continue nationally, UNC's internal review—and its recommendations for clearer roles and more training—could reshape how the university identifies and responds to warning signs on campus.

Ward's evaluation found UNC "already has a strong and collaborative process in place," according to UNC News on January 29. The CARE team was "viewed as compassionate, well organized and deeply committed to student support." However, Ward identified "opportunities to expand and refine certain areas, so the university can fully align with best practices in the field."

"There's a well-documented theory that mass shooters and other individuals who enact high-profile incidents don't just snap one day and decide to act—they plan," Ward said. "When a university has systems of care and threat assessment in place, those individuals who are at risk of being or are already on the pathway of intended violence can more easily get the care they need."

Ward conducted 26 interviews with national experts and UNC staff, supported by Colorado's Preventing Identity Based Violence program. CARE handles general student well-being; BTAM addresses higher-risk threats like potential mass violence.

Ward's recommendations include creating clearer distinctions between general student support cases and higher-risk threat cases, adding a dedicated threat manager position, and improving faculty and staff training on recognizing concerning behavior. Additional suggestions cover strengthening validated assessment tools and adopting standardized documentation and case closure protocols.

UNC has not publicly announced implementation timelines, funding, or hiring plans for Ward's recommendations as of early 2026. The specific status of recommendations—including whether a threat manager position will be created or when protocol updates might occur—remains unclear.

Ward cited national school shootings as motivation. "Seeing some high-profile cases like what happened in Uvalde, Texas, where 19 children and two adults were killed at an elementary school, really opened my eyes to the importance of working to ensure things like that don't happen at UNC," he said.

"We're here as a community to care for one another; if somebody is struggling, it hurts us all," Ward said. "The more we pay attention and look out for one another, the stronger our community will be."

Ward emphasized broader campus knowledge about the CARE team's functions would strengthen response. "I don't want to overwhelm anyone with more trainings, but I do think there is a need at this university for knowledge about the practices of the CARE team, threat assessment and what to do if you're in a situation where you feel the need to report something," he said.

"The earlier we can get someone the care they need, the better," Ward said.