I am thrilled to share some exciting news about one of our distinguished alumni who is making an incredible impact in our community. The Adelphi University Board of Trustees appointed Leonard C. Achan ‘99, MA, RN, ANP, as our new board chair following a special meeting in July, taking over from Trustee William Fuessler ’79, who stepped up as acting chair for the past five months.

Chair Achan’s story truly embodies the Adelphi spirit. A proud first-generation American born in Brooklyn and raised in Queens, he began his professional journey right here on our campus, earning his bachelor’s degree in nursing. Like so many of his fellow nursing alumni, Chair Achan started his career at the bedside as a medical ICU nurse and adult acute care nurse practitioner—an experience that deeply informed his compassionate approach to leadership as he became an accomplished healthcare executive and community and business leader.

Today, Chair Achan serves as president and CEO of LiveOnNY. He previously served as the inaugural president of the Innovation Institute at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) after serving as their chief innovation officer. Prior to that, he led major executive initiatives across several roles at the Mount Sinai Health System and served as senior associate dean for global communications, branding, and reputation at the Icahn School of Medicine. As co-founder and chairman of Quality Reviews Inc., he built a digital health platform deployed in more than 150 hospitals, elevating the care experience for more than 30 million patients nationwide.

Throughout his career, Chair Achan’s devotion to Adelphi has never wavered. While serving for more than a decade as a trustee, including five years as a board officer, he has consistently invested back into our campus—returning to lecture, establishing two endowed scholarships, and founding the Achan Family Interfaith Center.

Having worked with him during my time on the board and in our recent conversations, I have seen his razor-sharp mind, energy, and deep passion for our university firsthand. He is a shining example of our strength in producing leaders in nursing, health care and business. I have the utmost confidence that his ambition and commitment to higher education will continue to drive Adelphi forward.

I also want to thank Trustee Fuessler for his steady leadership of the board. His partnership with our senior leaders helped maintain our standard of excellence during an important time of transition at Adelphi. As one of our longest-tenured trustees and someone who has built a family legacy here, it came as no surprise that he approached this responsibility with great care. His ongoing service on the board will continue to benefit our University and serve as a trusted resource for our new chair.

Please join me in celebrating Chair Achan and thanking Trustee Fuessler for their outstanding service to the University.

Warm regards,

Michael Balboni ’81, JD
President

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I am pleased to announce the appointment of Elizabeth Cheung-Gaffney, JD, as Adelphi University’s general counsel, as well as the formal establishment of the Office of Legal Affairs.

This strategic shift to internal legal counsel was one of my first priorities after taking office in June. Adelphi has traditionally relied on outsourced legal services from external law firms, and transitioning to a dedicated, in-house legal model will allow us to operate with significantly greater efficiency, improve response times, reduce external legal costs and provide proactive, hands-on guidance to units across our University. In the evolving landscape of higher education regulations, governance and compliance, having on-campus legal leadership integrated into our daily operations will prove essential to our long-term success.

����ֱ�� Elizabeth Cheung-Gaffney

Liz brings a wealth of higher education, administrative and legal expertise to Adelphi, making her a highly respected leader in regional higher education circles. Most recently, she served as university counsel and secretary to the board of trustees at Long Island University (LIU), where she managed university compliance, board governance, collective bargaining agreements, litigation, student affairs and NCAA compliance.

Prior to LIU, Liz served as general counsel and interim executive director for New York University’s Office of the President Emeritus, as well as general counsel and senior program officer for The Catalyst Foundation for Universal Education. Earlier in her career, she was a first-chair litigation and arbitration attorney with the New York City Department of Education’s General Counsel Office and practiced complex commercial litigation at law firms in Washington, D.C., and New York.

Liz earned her Juris Doctor from Notre Dame Law School, where she served on the Journal of Legislation staff. She completed her B.A. in Economics and Political Science at Columbia University. At Columbia, she was an Academic All-Ivy League soccer student-athlete. She was inducted into the Columbia Athletics Hall of Fame in 2016. Liz is also a published scholar on sports law and humanitarian development.

Office Structure and Responsibilities

Reporting directly to the president, the newly established Office of Legal Affairs oversees and manages all university legal matters, risk management and regulatory compliance.

The following units benefit from this new organizational structure:

• Contracts and Policies: Oversight of university contract review, management and institutional policy frameworks now fall under the Office of Legal Affairs.
• Office of Community Concerns and Resolutions: This office reports directly to University Counsel.
• Title IX Office: University Counsel provides executive legal oversight and administrative supervision for the Title IX Office, ensuring full compliance with federal, state and institutional standards.

I look forward to working closely with Liz and the Office of Legal Affairs as it develops into a trusted resource and partner to everyone in our community. If you have any questions about this restructuring or how you can engage with Legal Affairs, feel free to contact me.

Please join me in warmly welcoming Liz to Adelphi as she helps guide our institution forward.

Sincerely,

Michael Balboni ’81, JD
President

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Kristopher Amplo ’00 is a seasoned entrepreneur and executive with a dynamic career spanning construction, real estate and philanthropy. As president and CEO of J.C. Steel Erectors Corp., he leads a commercial steel company of more than 300 employees and $100 million in annual sales, delivering landmark projects such as UBS Arena, LaGuardia and JFK Airports, and TSX Broadway. His real estate ventures include multifamily developments, self-storage facilities and vacation rentals across the United States. He is also deeply committed to charitable work, founding the Amplo Family Foundation and co-founding the DezyStrong Foundation, while serving on the boards of multiple nonprofits. With prior experience as a history teacher and business owner, he holds degrees from SUNY Farmingdale, Adelphi University and Stony Brook University, and currently contributes his expertise to several industry boards, including the Subcontractors Trade Association and Allied Building Metal Industries.

LeeAnn Black ’83 is the chief operating officer of Latham & Watkins, where she oversees the firm’s global business operations, financial management and strategic direction. Under her leadership, Latham has expanded significantly, while maintaining the culture that defines its success. Black has been instrumental in Latham’s rise as a top global law firm, overseeing its international growth and operational evolution. She has championed innovation and the early adoption of technologies to enhance efficiency and client service. A certified public accountant, she began her career as a senior auditor at Arthur Andersen & Co. and now draws on three decades of leadership experience at Latham. She has been recognized as a trailblazer in the legal sector and was named one of the Top 10 Innovative Individuals in North America by The Financial Times in 2017. Black previously served on the Adelphi University President’s Advisory Council, chairs the board of trustees of The Chapin School, and devoted 15 years to the board of Pro Bono Net, an organization dedicated to expanding access to justice. She is also co-chair of Adelphi’s annual Women’s Leadership Conference.

Bruce A. Jones ’82, PhD, is a renowned educational leader, scholar and administrator who is currently a professor of political science in the College of Arts and Sciences at Howard University. He previously served as Howard University’s senior vice president for research and was instrumental in securing its historic R1 Carnegie Classification. Over a dynamic career spanning higher education and public education policy, Dr. Jones has held prestigious academic and administrative posts, including vice provost for academic affairs and interim dean of the Graduate School at the University of Houston. He has also held endowed faculty chairs at the University of South Florida and the University of Missouri. A proud alumnus who earned his undergraduate degree from Adelphi, he has a PhD in political science from Columbia University. His research foci include leadership and public policy in higher education and K–12 education, the politics of education, the sociopolitical history of education, studies in community development, and institutional assessment and program evaluation in education and the nonprofit sector.

Walter P. Schmidt ’84 is a co-founder of Rockwood Capital, a prominent private equity real estate investment firm, and has 40 years of experience in real estate investment on behalf of institutional clients. He served as a senior managing partner until 2022, when he became senior partner focusing on strategic client relationships. With the formation of Harrison Street Asset Management in 2025, he continued as senior adviser. He began his career in 1984 with Touche Ross & Co (currently Deloitte). He is a member of the Pension Real Estate Association, AFIRE and INREV and served on the President’s Advisory Council of Adelphi University. He also serves on advisory boards serving youth development programs in the United States and Central America.

In addition to welcoming new trustees, the board welcomed back Charles J. Fuschillo ’83, Dennis J. McDonagh ’78 and Michael J. Tiedemann ’89 during the past year after they had previously stepped away due to other obligations.

Learn more about the Adelphi University Board of Trustees.

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Despite these impressive and lofty titles, Balboni has made himself accessible to the Adelphi community. And nowhere is this more evident than his TikTok series, Coffee With the Chair From a Chair. Although it was discontinued after Balboni’s ascension to president, this series offers a glimpse at a president who’s willing to listen to his students, hear their stories and share his own.

Creating a Series for TikTok

TikTok is currently one of the most popular platforms across social media. According to , approximately 63 to 68 percent of U.S. teens ages 13 to 17 use TikTok, with one in five reporting that they use the app “almost constantly.” Adelphi University initially lacked a strong TikTok strategy, viewing it as just another hosting platform like YouTube. It was Adelphi’s board of trustees who recognized the missed opportunity of using this platform to engage with young people and prospective Adelphi students. Creating TikToks suddenly became a top priority for the University.

The board tasked the Office of University Communications and Marketing with producing TikTok content to share the Adelphi story with young people. In the end, the board chair himself, Michael Balboni, became directly involved in the project. He agreed to a refreshingly simple concept: unscripted, unrehearsed conversations with students over coffee. With near-zero production costs and maximum authenticity, the series Coffee With the Chair From a Chair was born.

Each video featured Balboni chatting comfortably one-to-one with a different Adelphi student at the campus Starbucks. featured Adelphi ’26, a political science major who is now a business graduate student. She discussed her rigorous schedule and her favorite memories at Adelphi.

“Having the opportunity to sit down with then-chairman of the board Michael Balboni and be interviewed for the series was a really unique experience. It made University leadership feel much more connected to the student body, and when I learned he would become Adelphi’s next president, I genuinely felt like the University was heading in the right direction,” said Munayirji. The video quickly garnered more than 2,500 views.

featured finance major Jerry Iavarone, who talked about his Greek life friends at Adelphi and his family-owned gourmet Italian food market, . Iavarone’s is a favorite spot for many Adelphi students, including, as it turns out, Balboni himself—who remembered going there as an Adelphi student.

“I was nervous at first because I didn’t know what to expect or if I needed to give specific answers to the questions. A few seconds in, I realized the interview was going to be a fun experience after Mr. Balboni brought up Iavarone Bros.”

This video amassed more than 10,000 views, making it Adelphi’s top-viewed TikTok at the time.

“I didn’t expect the video to take off like it did,” said Iavarone.

Winning the Circle of Excellence Award

The execution and success of Coffee With the Chair From a Chair earned Balboni’s TikTok series an award nomination from the , a prestigious and global nonprofit association for educational institutions. Coffee With the Chair From a Chair wound up , bronze level, in the Communications/Digital Campaigns (Student-oriented) category. The CASE judges noted, “The concept behind this campaign was great for student engagement, and we were impressed by what they accomplished without adding any extra resources and by getting their board chair to participate.”

“This is a huge honor for our creative team, but it’s also a testament to how impressive our students are,” said Balboni. “The confidence and professionalism they have developed at Adelphi, as well as their natural charisma, truly shined in these videos. I had a great time discussing their favorite campus experiences, and I know their future is bright.” Although , this particular victory highlights the University’s success with executing a TikTok strategy—and it also marks a major win for Balboni as he begins his role as president of the University.

The post Award-Winning, Student-Approved: Meet Adelphi’s New TikTok-Famous President appeared first on Adelphi University.

I write to you today with a profound sense of gratitude, excitement and humility. It is the honor of a lifetime to be selected as the 11th president of Adelphi University. I want to extend my deepest thanks to the Adelphi University Board of Trustees, Acting Chair William Fuessler and the Presidential Search Committee for their rigorous work and their confidence in me.

Adelphi University has been a central part of my whole life. When I graduated from Garden City High School, I attended my prom at the Ruth S. Harley University Center. I received my undergraduate degree in biology from Adelphi in 1981. It was during my studies in political science that I developed my interest in government and decided to go to law school.

After graduating from law school, I won a seat in the New York State Assembly, and my district included the Adelphi campus. During my interactions with the University, I reconnected with the late Professor Regina Axelrod, PhD, who encouraged me to join the adjunct faculty in the Department of Political Science.

After serving seven years in the State Assembly, I ran for and won a special election for the State Senate, and during that time I continued to teach at Adelphi. I was teaching on the tragic morning of 9/11 and was the first person to tell my students that our nation was under attack, linking me with them in perpetuity. I went on to chair the Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs. My first public speech on homeland security was delivered at the Angello Alumni House at Adelphi.

My family’s roots here run deep. With a family legacy that includes my uncle, two sisters, my nephew and my daughter, Olivia (Class of 2015), I know firsthand the transformative power of an Adelphi education across generations.

It is a profound honor and privilege to be given the opportunity to help shape our University’s future. I will work tirelessly to understand the complexities of the education we provide and to engage the essential constituencies to build a consensus on how we design the University for tomorrow’s students.

I am incredibly optimistic about the future, especially because of the “dual-engine” leadership team we are building. The absolute heart of Adelphi is our academic mission and our exceptional faculty. I am thrilled to partner closely with Dr. Chris Storm in his new role as senior executive vice president of academic affairs and provost. His continued academic leadership will ensure that our curriculum, research and student success flourish while I focus on our external growth. I also want to personally thank Dr. Storm for his steadfast and expert guidance as interim president this past year.

Most importantly, as I prepare to officially step into this role, my immediate priority is to listen. In the coming weeks and months, I will be embarking on an outreach tour across campus to hear your insights, understand your priorities and needs, and collaborate on our shared vision. Whether you are a student, a faculty member, a staff member, a parent or an alumnus, your voice is essential to our success.

Adelphi gave me the foundation I needed to reach for new goals. I am so proud to be given the chance to give back and help lead this extraordinary community into its next chapter.

Thank you all for this incredible opportunity and for welcoming me home.

In Panther Pride,

Michael A.L. Balboni ’81, JD
President

The post A Message of Gratitude From President-Elect Balboni: Looking Forward Together appeared first on Adelphi University.

This year, more than 2,100 Adelphi graduates participated in the commencement ceremonies. Most graduates were from the University’s College of Nursing and Public Health and the School of Social Work.

Adelphi’s Class of 2026 represented 60 countries and 29 states, with 1,803 hailing from the State of New York. This year, the graduates ranged from 18 to 73 years old.

On Wednesday, May 19, 54 doctorate degrees were conferred at the Doctoral Hooding ceremony at the Adelphi University Performing Arts Center (PAC).

Adelphi Leaders Impart Words of Wisdom for Class of 2026

Adelphi’s Interim President Christopher Storm, PhD, addressing the Class of 2026 at the 130th commencement ceremonies.

Christopher Storm, PhD, who has served as Adelphi’s interim president for the past academic year, addressed the Class of 2026, reminding them that their Adelphi education has prepared them to meet the challenges of the future:

“Earning a college degree is no small feat—it requires perseverance, resilience and dedication. Each of our graduates here today has shown that and more on their Adelphi journey, and I hope you leave feeling empowered by what you’re capable of achieving.”

Representatives from the Class of 2026 also shared personal stories and inspiration with fellow graduates from the podium.

Undergraduate Student Government Association President Hussein Ali Rifath walking to the commencement stage.

“Our story has been one of hard work, grit and determination each and every step of the way,” said undergraduate Hussein Ali Rifath, Adelphi Student Government Association president. “But ultimately, those experiences have touched our lives. My friends, the road that lies ahead is one of hope. It’s shaped by dreams that lie deep within each and every one of us.”

Emily Ledesma ’25, president of the Graduate Student Council, spoke about how Adelphi’s inclusivity helped her feel seen and supported.

“I wish that I could tell first-year Emily that things would be different for a change, and that Adelphi would become more than a university; it would become a place where I felt seen, supported and accepted just as I was, and become a place that I consider a second home, one that is so hard to say goodbye to.”

Joseph W. Westphal ’70, PhD, former U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia receiving an honorary degree at Adelphi’s 130th undergraduate ceremony.

During this year’s Commencement ceremonies, four honorary degrees were awarded to accomplished, inspiring alumni whose work is closely tied to Adelphi’s mission. Honorees included: Joseph W. Westphal ’70, PhD, former U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Serena Martin ’05, founder and executive director of ; Christopher Pappas ’81, a first-generation student who became founder, chairman, president and chief executive officer of ; and Z. Paul Akian ’64, a technologist, entrepreneur and philanthropist who contributed to NASA’s Apollo Program.

Ambassador Westphal shared, “The world does not need more spectators. It needs participants, people willing to engage and work hard and lead and stand for something meaningful. May you have the courage to begin, the strength to continue and the wisdom to enjoy the journey.”

In Pappas’ address to the Class of 2026, he encouraged the graduates to strive for excellence. “Whatever path you choose, do not settle for ordinary. When a door closest, look for the next door, and when it opens, run through it. Today, you mastered your courses. Now go master life.”

President-Elect Michael Balboni ’81, JD, speaking to Adelphi’s Class of 2026 at the 130th commencement ceremonies.

President-Elect Michael Balboni ’81, JD, Adelphi’s first alumni president, addressed fellow Panthers at the ceremonies, asking them to stay the course and embrace challenges.

“You have to embrace what you’ve been given. Recognize it’s not always going to be a straight line to where you want to go or where you’re going to wind up. This University will be here for you. Go get ’em!”

Learn more about Adelphi University’s 130th Commencement.

The post Onward and Upward: Adelphi’s Class of 2026 Celebrates at 130th Commencement appeared first on Adelphi University.

Balboni emerged from a national search as the leader best positioned to secure public-private partnerships, champion the University regionally and nationally, and drive institutional growth. A defining hallmark of Balboni’s career—from his roles in government to corporate boardrooms—has been his ability to build relationships, work with experts and forge consensus. He steps into the presidency fiercely committed to shared governance, protecting academic freedom and ensuring that the Adelphi campus remains a vibrant, inclusive environment for all students and faculty to thrive in.

In tandem with this announcement, Adelphi’s board named Christopher K. Storm Jr., PhD, who has served as Adelphi’s interim president since last June, to the newly created role of senior executive vice president of academic affairs and provost. This complementary leadership structure allows the provost to focus internally on teaching, research and student outcomes, while President Balboni manages the complex operational and external facets of the University.

“The landscape of higher education is undergoing rapid and profound changes,” said William Fuessler ’79, acting chair of the board of trustees and chair of the University’s Presidential Search Committee. “To thrive, Adelphi requires a president who is a relentless external advocate and a proven executive. Michael possesses the exact blend of operational strength and external advocacy we need.”

“I am thrilled to be returning to my alma mater to lead a community that means so much to me. It truly is a full-circle moment,” said president-elect Balboni. “I have watched how the University has progressed, and I look forward to working with Dr. Storm and the entire community to take Adelphi to new heights as the premier institution of higher learning on Long Island.”

“It has been a tremendous honor to serve as interim president of Adelphi, where I have spent my entire 20-year career,” shared Dr. Storm. “The past year provided me with new opportunities to deepen my connections across campus while maintaining the University’s strong, stable footing before taking our next leap forward. I very much look forward to working with Michael Balboni as we embark on a bold new direction for Adelphi.”

Balboni assumes leadership at a time of remarkable advancement and financial strength for Adelphi. The University boasts a balanced budget, a $282 million endowment and a highly successful $100 million fundraising campaign that is nearing its goal. Underscoring this position of strength, Adelphi has achieved record enrollment in two of the past three years and is launching an ambitious infrastructure initiative to further support student and faculty success.

Adelphi continues to elevate its academic profile. Recognized by Forbes as the premier private university on Long Island, the institution pairs this academic prestige with its reputation as one of the safest campuses in America and an NCAA Division II athletics powerhouse. Looking ahead, the University is actively expanding its regional impact through the new Manhattan Center on Fifth Avenue in New York City, delivering high-demand graduate programs in artificial intelligence, business, nursing, social work, psychology, literature and education to meet the evolving needs of the modern workforce.

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As we open our doors for Spring 2026, I hope you are feeling rejuvenated and ready for a great semester ahead. Whether you are returning to campus, joining us for the first time or logging in online, welcome to Adelphi!

Over the next few months, I encourage you to take advantage of everything Adelphi has to offer and maximize your time here. Be exceptional in your studies and your work. Be supportive of your classmates and colleagues. Be involved in community service, clubs and activities. And above all, be open to new perspectives and opportunities.

The spring includes some of Adelphi’s signature events, from the Women’s Leadership Conference in March to the Writers & Readers Festival and the Scholarship and Creative Works Conference in April. The Performing Arts Center has a full slate of fantastic student and guest performances, the SPARK Center is expanding student research projects, and the Innovation Center is your hub for exploring new ideas and technology. Our also need our enthusiastic support as they strive for more championships and a third straight NE10 Presidents Cup.

The more you engage in the Adelphi community, the more you will see its true impact. Remember the critical role that higher education plays in our society, and that we are cultivating the future right here on our campus through inquiry and dialogue. I can’t wait to see what we will accomplish together to make our world brighter.

Have a successful semester, and don’t hesitate to contact my office with any questions or say hello when you see me.

Onwards and upwards,

Chris Storm, PhD
Interim President

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