Q&A with Teng Lee, director of safety, security, and emergency management

Teng Lee comes from a family of 10 siblings, including a set of twins and a set of triplets—his parents first-generation Hmong immigrants from Laos. Married with five children of his own now, he comes to Bethel with diverse experience. He attended The Art Institutes International of Minnesota, majoring in media arts and animation; served as an Army National Guard as a 74D chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear operational specialist; worked as a security officer at a nuclear plant; did a brief stint in the food industry; and became a federal law enforcement officer.

How did you get to Bethel?

As Covid restrictions eased, I was presented with an opportunity to work at Bethel University as a staff campus security officer. I was deeply impressed by the university's culture, faith, and commitment to the student experience, and I had the privilege of participating in my first Welcome Week and football game. Most recently I was working at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, Minnesota, as a public safety officer and then dispatcher supervisor. However, I was eventually drawn back to the Bethel community. I felt a strong spiritual calling—a profound desire to deepen my relationship with God and connect with others who shared my faith.

What are your responsibilities in your new role at Bethel? 

I oversee the campus security team and transportation specialists to ensure that we’re providing effective security and shuttle services. My goal is to maintain a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

The Office of Safety and Security is guided by Micah 6:8:  “…What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” What does this look like on campus? 

To “love kindness” applies to our hearts, reflecting why we do what we do and how we approach our interactions. Kindness should be our default in all engagements; however, in our line of work, we must balance kindness with justice. When someone has been wronged, we serve as representatives to ensure that safety and security are justly upheld. We may know what is right, but if we do not approach situations with a posture of kindness and love, we fail to embody the “salt and light” we are called to be in all situations for all sides involved. Allowing a severe wrong to be committed against one person without upholding justice for them diminishes our kindness toward the wronged individual.

At times, it may seem as though we are the "bad guys," especially when issuing parking tickets. From a broader perspective, our role is required to maintain the order, structure, and safety necessary for the campus to function. Our efforts support operational excellence centered on the principles of Jesus.  

Why are you excited to work with students? 

In my experience, working with students has been particularly rewarding. I’ve partnered with video game clubs to host tournaments, served as an advisor to an Asian cultural club, and contributed to large-scale events that focus on awareness and preparedness for active-shooter situations. I’m looking forward to doing more of these types of things and participating in campus life at Bethel. 

What will an average day look like for you?

It’ll start with checking and responding to emails, reviewing officer reports, and providing guidance and direction to my team. I’ll review policies and procedures, meet with campus partners, and maintain relationships with local, state, and federal law enforcement and emergency responders. I also hope to implement strategies that will help us become a trusted partner and valued community member. 

What are some of your biggest challenges and how will you address them?

Law enforcement and security are interconnected in that we often serve as the first point of contact during some of the most challenging moments in people’s lives. It is always a challenge to find and maintain that delicate balance in achieving peace and safety for both individuals and the community, especially when not everyone shares the same goals. I believe it is essential to remain engaged with the community and maintain constant communication with all relevant departments, particularly our Office of Student Life and resident directors, who are closely in touch with students. This collaboration enables us to make necessary adjustments to our approach, processes, and execution of safety and security operations. I plan to routinely check in with my team of officers to ensure we are maintaining the safety and security of the campus while also upholding the teachings of Jesus as the way, the truth, and the light.

If you could say one thing to the parents of Bethel students, what would it be? 

The essentials for achieving our office's mission—to pursue and promote security excellence that transforms lives within and outside the Bethel community—lie in effective policy implementation and enforcement. How do we accomplish this? With a team of brave, qualified, experienced, knowledgeable, and dedicated staff security officers. The result is a safe environment that encourages, nurtures, and supports Bethel's overall mission—to educate and equip students to lead lives of impact.

Be Safe at Bethel

From 24/7 patrol to shuttle services and Safe Ride, Bethel’s Office of Safety and Security is ready to help get you where you need to go—on campus and the surrounding area—safely.

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