Sharon Jenkins, Ed.D., Joins the Center for Applied Technologies for School Security as Inaugural Executive Director
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- Mar 5
- 2 min read
Press Release
For Immediate Release
Sunnyvale, CA – March 5, 2025—The Center for Applied Technologies for School Security (CATS2) is thrilled to announce Sharon Jenkins, Ed.D., as our inaugural Executive Director. With over 20 years of executive experience and a remarkable track record in the nonprofit sector, Dr. Jenkins brings a unique combination of expertise and passion that will drive CATS2’s mission to provide practical technologies to help keep our schools safe. Her leadership will be instrumental in advancing our vision of creating safer educational environments through innovative solutions.
CATS2 was founded by a team of security and counter-terror technology experts and philanthropists in the wake of the Uvalde tragedy, driven by the urgent need to prevent further loss of life and injury. Our foundation provides practical solutions to enhance school safety. Our flagship program, OWL for Schools, is an emergency communications and orchestration tool uniquely designed for U.S. school settings. It is now available for any K-12 school in the USA, free of charge for those who need it, to sign up for a pilot program here. With OWL ready for deployment, Sharon’s arrival is pivotal as we offer this critical tool to schools nationwide. As Executive Director, she will lead our efforts to expand and implement these technologies effectively.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Sharon Jenkins to our team,” says Dr. Lisa Dolev, Founder and Director of CATS2. “Her expertise and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to develop and implement technologies that protect our schools and ensure the safety of students and staff.”
Sharon Jenkins holds degrees from several institutions, including Johns Hopkins (B.A.), Harvard (M.Ed), the London School of Economics (M.Sc), and Vanderbilt (Ed.D.). She has held leadership positions in organizations such as the Girl Scouts, Armed Services YMCA, Community Bridges, Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging and Federation of American Scientists.. Sharon’s passion for security and children’s safety is evident in her commitment to our mission. Also, Dr. Jenkins has taught university, undergraduate, and graduate classes at the University of Wyoming College of Business and the University of Wyoming's School of Politics, Public Affairs & International Studies.
“I am deeply honored to join CATS2 at this critical juncture,” says Dr. Jenkins. “Ensuring the safety of our schools is a cause I am profoundly passionate about, and I look forward to contributing to this vital mission.”
About The Center for Applied Technologies for School Security (CATS2)
CATS2 is dedicated to deterring, mitigating, and minimizing mass school violence through efficient and appropriate technologies. With a focus on primary and secondary schools, CATS2 fosters, supports, promotes, and conducts programs, projects, and activities to generate new research, knowledge, technologies, and solutions that support its mission.
The '501(c)3 non-profit organization works across industries, agencies, and geographies to bring together the best thinkers and implement the best solutions to maximize their availability to schools nationwide. Our flagship program, OWL for Schools, is designed to address chaotic situations during live attacks. It connects everyone in the school using geo-location tracking to build a situational map and send timely, customized instructions.