We are incredibly proud to share a landmark announcement: Michael A.L. Balboni ’81, JD, Founder and Managing Partner of Redland Strategies, has been named the 11th President of Adelphi University by the University’s Board of Trustees. He will officially assume the role on June 1, 2026.
This is more than a career milestone. It is, as Michael himself put it, “a full-circle moment.”
From Adelphi Alumnus to Adelphi President
Michael Balboni’s connection to Adelphi University runs deep. He graduated cum laude from the University in 1981 with a degree in biology and went on to build one of the most distinguished careers in New York government and public safety. He later returned to Adelphi as an adjunct faculty member and, most recently, served as a distinguished member and chair of the Board of Trustees, the very board that has now entrusted him with leading the institution he loves.
He is the first Adelphi alumnus, the first parent of an Adelphi graduate, and the first Long Island native to serve as president of the University. These are not just symbolic distinctions. They speak to a leader whose commitment to this community is personal, proven, and lifelong.
The Right Leader for a Pivotal Moment
Higher education is at an inflection point. Institutions across the country face mounting pressures, financial, political, technological, and demographic. Adelphi’s Board of Trustees conducted a national search and concluded that Michael Balboni is the leader best equipped to navigate this landscape.
As William Fuessler ’79, Acting Chair of the Board, noted, Adelphi needs a president who is “a relentless external advocate and a proven executive.” Michael brings exactly that: decades of experience forging public-private partnerships, building consensus across complex stakeholder environments, and delivering results at the highest levels of government and industry.
Adelphi is entering this new chapter from a position of real strength. The University carries a balanced budget, a $282 million endowment, record enrollment in two of the past three years, and a $100 million fundraising campaign nearing its goal. Michael steps in not to stabilise, but to accelerate.
What This Means for Redland Strategies
Michael founded Redland Strategies on a core belief: that the intersection of government, public safety, and the private sector is where the most consequential work gets done. That belief has guided every engagement, every client relationship, and every strategic initiative Redland has undertaken.
His appointment to lead Adelphi University is a testament to the reputation he has built over a career defined by integrity, strategic vision, and genuine public service. We are proud of what he has accomplished, and we are excited for what comes next, both for him and for Adelphi.
Congratulations, Michael!
To our founder, our colleague, and our friend: congratulations. Adelphi University is gaining an extraordinary president. And the Long Island community is gaining a champion who knows it, loves it, and is ready to invest in its future.
We look forward to watching you take Adelphi to new heights.