What are your responsibilities?
I am the accreditation manager, I oversee operations for the department and I am the implementer. I don’t go out on patrol except when we have special events, like when we hosted the 2007 Democratic presidential debates. I must have walked at least 50 miles that night.

What does it take for the department to be accredited?
We have to meet or surpass 235 different standards set by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators. We are one of only 10 colleges in the nation to be accredited. It’s a pretty important distinction and a guarantee that we are providing the best service.

What’s the hardest part of your job?
The hardest part is knowing that there are certain things that could always be done better. I’ve been in this field for 25 years and I’ve seen how things are done elsewhere, and sometimes it’s challenging when you are dealing with an institution that is very much entrenched in tradition.

How else are you involved on campus?
I mentor Latino and minority students. I’ve served as an advisor to the alternative spring break program through the Tucker Foundation. I’m a poet, so I’m sometimes invited by the Spanish department to talk to a class. I’ve also taught tango through the Dartmouth Argentine Tango Society, and I’ve done performances with the Hop.

How did you become a tanguero?
I grew up in the Dominican Republic, right around the corner from the Carlos Gardel bar, but tango is only listened to there, not danced. It’s drinking music. In 2003 I found myself single in New York City, so I went to a free tango workshop, felt comfortable and kept on going. I took some classes in Buenos Aires, then was doing tango four nights a week and teaching in a studio. In 2007 I got to serve as Natalie Morales’ dancing partner on the Today show. 

Photo by John Sherman