Baldwin man gets top college post

Walking a police beat in the Bronx in the 1980s during the height of the crack-cocaine scourge was an eye-opening experience for Baldwin resident Francis J. Balducci.

But the problems he encountered, especially among the youths, was a valuable learning tool he was able to use to teach others during a career in law enforcement that has spanned two decades.

“We recognized a lot of problems in the communities, and we wanted to see what we could do to alleviate all the causes of the problems that existed,” said Balducci.

Balducci is now helping to shape the careers of other future police officers after Briarcliffe College recently named him chairman of its Criminal Justice and Paralegal Studies Department.

Balducci, 45, is to be married at St. Christopher’s RC Church in October to his fiancée, Daphne, and last September they selected Baldwin as the place to live.

“I like Baldwin a lot,” said Balducci, who previously lived in Astoria, Queens. “In Baldwin, the schools are very nice and the homes are very beautiful. We love our neighbors who are very nice people. We have had some serious storms and they were all there to help out. We have felt very welcomed.”

As chairman, Balducci will be responsible for Briarcliffe’s criminal justice and paralegal department at its campuses in Bethpage and Patchogue, as well as the one in Long Island City, Queens. He is in charge of a department that has four full-time faculty members and 35 adjunct members and boasts an enrollment of at least 300 students, many of whom want to become police officers, attorneys, prosecutors or possibly delve into the field of forensics.

His goal as the department’s head is to build upon a solid criminal justice program that will give the college’s students future careers in the field or the necessary tools to further their education. One of his objectives is to expand a curriculum that includes forensics and counter-terrorism.

“It’s a bit of a challenge,” Balducci said of his new position. “A good deal of work needs to be done.”

As the field of criminal justice continues to evolve, Balducci said, “I ask my faculty to continue to be students in their chosen field.”

Balducci became an adjunct faculty member at Briarcliffe in the fall of 2009 and was named interim chair of the department in May.

Balducci immediately established a campus conference on “Contemporary Criminal Justice Issues Endangering Our Youth.” College students, school administrators, counselors, youth services department representatives and government officials were invited to explore teen rights and responsibilities within the criminal justice system.

Balducci said he plans to hold a similar conference every year to tackle problems associated with youth-related crime on Long Island.

“It’s a cooperative effort of people,” he said. “There are many youth-related problems on Long Island with gang activities, drugs, shootings.”

College officials said they are certain Balducci is the right person to lead the department.

“Student interest in our Criminal Justice and Paralegal Studies programs continues to rise,” said Briarcliffe College President Dr. George Santiago, Jr. “I am confident that Frank Balducci’s contributions will further strengthen our curriculum and programs.”

“Prof. Frank Balducci has demonstrated he is the right person to provide leadership to our college community,” said Provost David M. Cohen.

Balducci has also served as a senior research analyst with the Criminal Justice Bureau, a training coordinator for the Office of Management and Budget, and a legal curriculum coordinator and senior instructor with the Police Academy during his 20 years with the New York City Police Department.

Balducci has earned two master's degrees in public administration and in criminal justice policy and administration from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York.

Balducci is professionally active, including serving as president for the Long Island Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration.

Although he and future wife are both from Queens, they have enjoyed “playing” in Nassau County through the years. They have enjoyed the park in Baldwin Harbor very much. “It’s very nice there, very romantic,” Balducci said.

Comments about this story? Jlipton@liherald.com.