USGEAAN-ENUGU, WINDOW ON AMERICA & RANGERS FOUNDATION TO TRAIN 100 UNEC SECURITY PERSONNEL ON “SECURITY WITH EMPATHY”

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Alumni-led mentorship series to implement SEL + REBT tools for conflict prevention and campus safety.

The United States Government Exchange Alumni Association Nigeria – Enugu State Chapter (USGEAAN-ENUGU), in collaboration with Enugu Window on America, Rangers International Football Club Foundation and the University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC) Security Department, will begin the seventh mentorship series on July 20 and 23, 2026.

The 2-day, 4-cluster effort will train 100 UNEC school security staff on:
“SAFETY WITH EMPATHY: BUILDING TRUST, PREVENTING CONFLICTS”
SEL+REBT Tools for Human Relations and Campus Safety

The program is a flagship activity of the Freedom 250 Month initiative.

ADDRESSING THE ROOT OF CAMPUS CONFLICT
According to Coach Ebere Amaraizu, State Coordinator of USGEAAN-Enugu and CBT/SEL expert:

> “Campus safety is not just a question of strength, but also of trust.

> When security personnel react in fear, the conflict intensifies.

> When they respond with empathy, conflict is prevented.

> We’re moving beyond slogans to surgery, using social-emotional learning and REBT to reconnect beliefs and build responsive leadership.

> A peaceful heart feels. A free mind listens. This is how we secure a campus.”

THE FRAMEWORK: FROM REACTION TO RESPONSE
This alumni-led community engagement will provide staff with evidence-based tools to strengthen *5 core SEL skills fused with REBT – Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy:

1. Self-awareness: Identify triggers and harmful beliefs before reacting

2. Self-management: Regulating emotions and preventing “amygdala hijacking” under provocation

3. Social Awareness: Apply empathy and perspective taking to de-escalate situations

4. Relationship skills: Build trust through active listening and respectful communication

5. Responsible decision making: Making ethical choices that protect dignity and safety

MEASURABLE OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTED RESULTS:

The program is designed for measurable transformation, not awareness. Data will be collected before, during and 3 months after the training.

Expected results:

1. Improved campus climate: increased trust and positive student relationships and safety

2. Reduction in incidents: measurable decrease in incidents of harassment, assault and use of force

3. Improved response: Increased use of mediation and de-escalation by security personnel

4. Professional Certification: 100 employees certified as SEL+REBT Reactive Security Officers

5. Sustainable impact: a UNEC campus culture where safety and empathy work together

PARTNERSHIP FOR IMPACT

This initiative demonstrates the power of Alumni Diplomacy in addressing community safety.
USGEAAN-Enugu, as a U.S. government alumni exchange body, is leveraging its expertise to support institutional security reform in line with global best practices in social-emotional learning for problem solving.