Park University Promotes Burkhalter and Bower

Park University Promotes Campus Safety, Facilities Staff

January 30, 2026 - Park University announces the promotion of Paul Burkhalter to the role of director of campus safety, effective Jan. 18, and the promotion of John Bower to the role of senior director of facilities and operations, effective Dec. 1, 2025.

Paul Burkhalter
Burkhalter, a resident of Smithville, Mo., has been with Park University as a campus safety officer since July 2020. Prior to coming to Park, Burkhalter had a 25½-year career with the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department. He spent the first 11 years serving in the Patrol Unit of the North Patrol Division before stints in the Street Crimes Unit and PACT ATV Unit. He then served as a community interaction officer for two years and concluded his KCPD career with the Kansas City International Airport Operations for 16 months.

In his role as director of campus safety, Burkhalter oversees a staff of 6 campus safety officers and environmental health and safety staff on the University's flagship Parkville Campus. Along with ensuring a safe and secure working and learning environment for Park employees and students, Burkhalter is responsible for the development, implementation and improvement of the University's security, emergency management, environmental health and parking programs.

Burkhalter earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Doane University in Crete, Neb.

John Bower
Bower, a resident of Overland Park, Kan., joined Park University in August 2017 as the manager of facilities maintenance and grounds - a role he served in until his recent promotion. Prior to coming to Park, he served as director of public works from 2015-16 in Bay Minette, Ala. He also spent six years (2005-11) as the deputy director of parks and recreation for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kan.

In his role as senior director of facilities and operations, Bower supervises a team of more than 25 staff and oversees the maintenance of the buildings and grounds on the Parkville Campus. He also works with managing outside vendors and contractors on capital projects across the University.

Bower earned a Bachelor of Science degree in agronomy from Auburn (Ala.) University.