Thursday, October 1, 2026
Adelphi University has appointed four alumni to its Board of Trustees, adding leaders in business, law, higher education and real estate to the governing body.
The new trustees are Kristopher Amplo, Class of 2000; LeeAnn Black, Class of 1983; Bruce A. Jones, Class of 1982; and Walter P. Schmidt, Class of 1984.
"Each of these individuals brings with them a wealth of expertise, deep professional accomplishments, a personal connection to our community and a profound commitment to our university's mission," Adelphi President Michael Balboni said in a release. "As we work together to guide Adelphi into its next era of excellence, their diverse insights will be vital to our future growth and success."
Amplo is president and chief executive of J.C. Steel Erectors Corp., a commercial steel company that has worked on projects including UBS Arena, LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport and TSX Broadway. He also oversees real estate investments and is active in philanthropy through the Amplo Family Foundation and the DezyStrong Foundation.
Black is chief operating officer of the global law firm Latham & Watkins, where she oversees business operations and strategic planning. A certified public accountant, she previously served on Adelphi's President's Advisory Council, chairs the board of trustees at The Chapin School and is co-chair of Adelphi's annual Women's Leadership Conference.
Jones is a professor of political science at Howard University. He previously served as the university's senior vice president for research, helping Howard achieve its Research 1, or R1, classification. He has also held academic leadership positions at the University of Houston, the University of South Florida and the University of Missouri.
Schmidt is a co-founder of Rockwood Capital and has more than four decades of experience in institutional real estate investment. He served as a senior managing partner until 2022 and now serves as a senior adviser following the formation of Harrison Street Asset Management. Schmidt previously served on Adelphi's President's Advisory Council and is involved with organizations supporting youth development in the United States and Central America.
The university also welcomed back trustees Charles J. Fuschillo, Class of 1983; Dennis J. McDonagh, Class of 1978; and Michael J. Tiedemann, Class of 1989, after they stepped away from the board because of other commitments.
