Adelphi University has announced the speakers for its Commencement ceremonies at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York, on Tuesday, May 20.
Retired U.S. Navy four-star officer and former supreme allied commander Admiral James Stavridis, PhD, partner and vice chair of global affairs for The Carlyle Group and chair of the board of trustees of the Rockefeller Foundation, will deliver the Commencement address at Adelphi’s undergraduate student ceremony and receive an honorary degree. Joseph Moscola, MBA ’06, Northwell Health’s executive vice president for Shared Services Strategy and Operations, will deliver the Commencement address at the graduate student ceremony.
“Adelphi’s Commencement speakers are selected because they are inspirational figures whose work aligns with important aspects of our University mission,” said Christopher Storm, PhD, Adelphi University provost and executive vice president. “We are grateful to Adm. James Stavridis and Joseph Moscola for playing such an important role in our 129th Commencement, inspiring Adelphi’s Class of 2025 and their guests with their wisdom, success and positive impact on society.”
Adm. James Stavridis, Retired U.S. Navy Four-Star Officer and Former Supreme Allied Commander
Adm. James Stavridis, PhD, is partner and vice chair of global affairs for The Carlyle Group and chair of the board of trustees of the Rockefeller Foundation. Previously, he spent five years as dean of The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. A retired four-star officer in the U.S. Navy, he led the NATO alliance in global operations from 2009 to 2013 as supreme allied commander, with responsibility for Afghanistan, Libya, the Balkans, Syria, counterpiracy and cybersecurity. Adm. Stavridis also served as commander of the U.S. Southern Command, with responsibility for all military operations in Latin America from 2006 to 2009. He won the Battenberg Cup for commanding the top ship in the Atlantic Fleet and the Navy League John Paul Jones Award for Inspirational Leadership, along with more than 50 U.S. and international medals and decorations, including 28 from foreign nations.
Adm. Stavridis earned a PhD in international relations from Tufts University and has published 15 books on leadership, character, risk, the oceans, maritime affairs and Latin America, as well as hundreds of articles in leading journals. His books include the novel 2034: A Novel of the Next World War (Penguin, 2021), a New York Times bestseller, and To Risk It All: Nine Conflicts and the Crucible of Decision (Penguin, 2022). His most recent book, The Restless Wave: A Novel of the United States Navy (Penguin, 2024), was published in October 2024.
Joseph Moscola, MBA ’06, Northwell Health Executive VP for Shared Services Strategy and Operations
Joseph Moscola is executive vice president for shared services strategy and operations at Northwell Health, New York’s largest health system, which cares for more than 2 million people each year and employs more than 85,000. For 25 years, he has been a transformational leader, driving culture, innovation and outcomes on the provider side of health delivery.
In his role as executive vice president, Moscola leads the strategy and execution of critical functions that drive Northwell Health and the care that team members provide, including digital transformation, facilities and property management, construction, real estate, and oversight of the enterprise’s centralized budget and resources. He also creates and leads strategic business initiatives that drive down costs while generating new revenue for the health system. In his previous role as chief people officer, Moscola led the organization to a 40 percent jump in team member engagement and a spot on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list in 2021 and 2022. Previously a cardiothoracic surgery physician’s assistant, he brings a unique customer perspective to his executive leadership roles.
Moscola has served on the Adelphi University Board of Trustees since 2023, providing crucial leadership and ensuring that Adelphi continues to deliver a transformative education to our students.
Learn more about Adelphi’s 2025 Commencement ceremony.