The Center for Public Safety and Justice is thrilled to have welcomed Joshua Ederheimer as its new Senior Director for Stakeholder Partnerships and Assistant Professor of Practice in Public Safety. Joshua shared a bit about his background - read on to get to know him!
Give us a little overview of your background.
As a son of a New York City public school teacher and a nurse, I grew up in a house that emphasized public service and helping people. I was a high-school varsity swimmer which led me to lifeguarding, which was in a sense my first public-safety position. In that role I worked with police and first responders and became hooked. In college at American University, I took justice-related courses that led me to ride-alongs with the DC Police, and I was encouraged to join. Along the way I finished my bachelor’s and master’s degrees and gained tremendous experience moving up the ranks of the police department. I was exposed to a plethora of different communities, and this further fueled my desire to learn.
What you like to do for fun?
Of course, being with my wife of 38 years and my grown children are the most fun things I can think of. Our family has a passion for travel, and our family has been taking trips around the globe every year for the past 10 years. I have an affinity for museums of any kind, and I think I have visited at least one museum in every city I have visited. I have eclectic taste in music (although I favor jazz) and love music documentaries. I appreciate all types of live performances, from musical theater to Bruce Springsteen concerts. I love sports, and particularly the Washington Capitals and IndyCar racing. Finally, I am a foodie and always try to patronize off the beaten path local establishments.
What has your career journey been like so far?
I’ve been fortunate to have incredible mentors throughout my career—people who prepared me, encouraged me and lifted me up. Because of them, I’ve made it a priority to pay it forward and support others in their own journeys. Helping others succeed brings me tremendous fulfillment; it’s one of the most rewarding aspects of my professional life. I’ve also learned to embrace the ups and downs. Every professional setback I've encountered has ultimately led to unexpected opportunities and growth. My career has been a continuous learning experience, and I’ve welcomed each new chapter with curiosity and enthusiasm. When I take time to reflect, I’m often struck by the breadth and depth of the experiences I’ve had the privilege to be part of.
Talk about your new role. How does it contribute to our larger mission?
I’m honored to join the Center for Public Safety and Justice at a time when innovation, education and research in public safety are more vital than ever. As the Senior Director of Stakeholder Partnerships, my focus is on building and sustaining strong academic and professional collaborations—both within UVA and with external partners. I aim to bring my subject matter expertise and network to bear in ways that advance the Center's goals and expand its impact. I’m equally excited about my role as an Assistant Professor of Practice. Teaching is a true passion of mine, and I look forward to sharing real-world insights and experiences with our students—helping to prepare them to be thoughtful, effective public servants.
What attracted you to this role? What are you most excited about?
There is a significant gap in higher education and executive development for public safety leaders in the U.S., and I see this role as a unique opportunity for UVA to lead in that space. When I learned about the creation of the Center, I was inspired by UVA’s commitment to developing a center that could shape the future of public safety. I knew I wanted to be part of that mission. UVA’s strong academic reputation made the opportunity even more compelling. Having previously worked with the Center Executive Director Ben Haiman, I also had full confidence in the center’s leadership and direction. I’m excited not just about what the center is doing now—but about what it will become. I’m proud to contribute to this important and meaningful work.