With a calling to provide safety and security, the Department of Public Safety is dedicated to serving PLNU’s community by fostering a safe learning, working, and living environment. To fully support PLNU’s mission, DPS provides campus safety services, emergency response support, security, and assistance 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round.
The department is staffed by a director, three assistant directors, 22 public safety officers, and student dispatchers. Each officer is licensed through the California Bureau of Security and Investigative Services and certified in CPR and First Aid.
DPS derives its enforcement authority from the PLNU Board of Trustees. The main Point Loma Campus and PLNU’s San Diego-area regional centers fall under the law enforcement jurisdiction of the San Diego Police Department.
If you need assistance from the DPS staff call (619) 849-2525.
For an emergency call 911.
DPS Leadership
Mark Ryan
Director of Department of Public Safety
markryan@pointloma.edu
Mark Ryan currently serves as the director of DPS for PLNU since 2018. Before beginning his work with PLNU, he served for 29 years with the San Diego County Sheriff’s office.
His tenure included 12 years as a deputy, 10 years as a sergeant, and 7 years as a lieutenant. As a lieutenant, Mark held five key leadership roles: Academy Director, Intelligence-Led Policing Supervisor, Intelligence Commander (with Secret Clearance), Substation Commander (“Police Chief”) for the City of Imperial Beach, and Second-in-Command for the City of Vista.
Mr. Ryan received a B.A., Accounting degree from PLNU and later went one to receive a M.P.A., Public Administration from National University. Throughout his career, he has received specific education from the FBI National Academy, Supervisory Leadership Institute, and Fusion Centers Leaders Program from the Naval Postgraduate School. He currently serves PLNU beyond his directors role as an adjunct professor at PLNU and Miramar College teaching courses under criminal justice.
Mike Cabral
Assistant Director of Department of Public Safety
MikeCabral@pointloma.edu
Mike joined the Department of Public Safety in 2013 as a Public Safety Officer following a distinguished 31-year career with the San Diego Fire Department, where he retired as a Captain. He was promoted to Assistant Director in 2023, bringing more than three decades of experience in public safety, emergency response, leadership, and organizational service to his role. He is an Emergency Medical Technician and an American Heart Association-certified CPR instructor.
A third-generation San Diego native with deep roots in the Point Loma community, Mike is proud to have seen two of his children graduate from Point Loma Nazarene University. Outside of work, Mike enjoys spending time with his family and spending time on the water, stand-up paddleboarding.
Cory Lozano
Assistant Director of Department of Public Safety
clozano1@pointloma.edu
Cory Lozano is an assistant director of the Department of Public Safety. Born and raised in San Diego, Cory graduated from San Diego State University before beginning his career at Point Loma Nazarene University as a Public Safety Officer in 2019. During his time at the university, he was promoted to Security Systems Manager in 2020, taking on greater responsibilities and leadership. In 2022, Cory was promoted to Assistant Director, continuing to grow within the university and take on increasingly significant leadership responsibilities.
Kaz Trypuc
Assistant Director of Department of Public Safety
ktrypuc@pointloma.edu
Kaz currently serves as an assistant director for the Department of Public Safety. He is a native San Diegan and graduated from PLNU’s Reuben H. Welch School of Theology & Christian Ministry. Serving the PLNU community since 2006 through DPS, Kaz has held a variety of roles for the university and was promoted to Assistant Director in 2022.