Robert P. Delprino, Ph.D.

Dr. Delprino earned his doctoral degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Old Dominion University and his master’s degree in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.  In addition to being a member of the Psychology Department, he has also served as an Assistant Dean for the former School of Natural and Social Sciences.

His applied research and work include work and family issues, organizational health, and strategic planning in higher education.  His extensive experience in these areas has been applied to a variety of local, state, and national organizations in the design and implementation of applied research initiatives, as well as in the development and delivery of workshops, training programs and funded grants.

Among his applied experiences include serving as the Corrections and Law Enforcement Family Support (CLEFS) Program Visiting Fellow at the National Institute of Justice of the U.S. Department of Justice.  The aim of the CLEFS Program was to identify and understand the stressors faced by officers and their families and identify innovative ways to prevent and treat the negative effects of those stressors.  Dr. Delprino has also served as a volunteer member of a regional critical incident stress management support team for first responders and as an Employee Assistance Program Coordinator for New York State.  As an advisory board member for the former New York Disaster Counseling Coalition, he participated in the delivery of programs to first responder couples affected by the events and aftermath of 9/11.  Also, he developed a number of well-attended conferences focusing on occupational health for first responders and their family members. This work was in partnership with a variety of community organizations. 

As part of his interest in organizational change and strategic planning, Dr. Delprino has served as a faculty member for the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) Planning Institute (PI).  The SCUP PI is an intensive, three-step strategic planning program tailored for the unique complexities and challenges of higher education institutions to provide a solid foundation for the strategic planning process.  Dr. Delprino has provided curriculum development expertise and training for the PI since 2009.  He has facilitated research and programs on strategic planning across the United States and Canada for higher education leaders responsible for the integration of planning on their campuses and for the professionals who support them.

Student Mentoring

With the goal of enhancing students’ educational experiences and career development, Dr. Delprino founded and served as advisor to the College’s Student Chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).  Under his guidance the student chapter has been recognized with merit awards from the national SHRM organization and has provided students with scholarship awards and internship experiences. He also served as a mentor to several students as part of the college’s Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship, McNair Scholars Program and Early Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program.  Dr. Delprino has regularly included students studying psychology, as well as other disciplines as collaborators in his funded grant activity, professional presentations, and publications. 

Representative Publications and Presentations

Books & Publications

*Indicates student as co-author

Delprino, R. P. (2021). The new PhD: How to build a better graduate education [Review of book]. Planning for Higher Education, 44 (4).

Delprino, R. P. (2018).  Understanding and supporting law enforcement families: An applied research perspective. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books.

*Zhang, J., Qing, Q, Delprino, R. P. (2017). Psychological health among Chinese college students: A rural/urban comparison. Journal of Child & Adolescent Mental Health, 29(2), 179-186.

Hui, X., Cheng, C., Yisheng, T., Zhang, J., Delprino, R., Jihui, J. & Yonggang, S. (2016). Quality of life in Chinese family caregivers for elderly people with chronic diseases. Health and Quality of Life Outcomes, 14(1), 99-107.

Delprino, R. P. (2015).  [Review of the book Revolution in higher education:  How a small band of innovators will make college accessible and affordable by Richard DeMillo]. Planning for Higher Education, 44(1), 139-141.

Delprino, R.P. (2013).  The human side of the strategic planning process in higher education. Ann Arbor, MI: Society for College and University Planning.

Wiechelt, S. A., Delprino, R., & Swarthout, J. A. (2009). Characteristics of traumatic experience and survivor perceptions of mental health services: The 2004–2005 Erie county community trauma survey.  Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 18(5), 484-498.

Conference Presentations

* indicates student as co-presenter

*Tetreault, R., Delprino, R. P., Viscardi, A. (2020, March). A comparison of work and manager preferences held by college students. Presented at the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological      Association, Boston, MA.

*Delprino, R. P. Petrucci, M., & Wetzler, E. (2019, November). Utilization of services by law enforcement officers and the potential value of matched group designs in law enforcement research. Presented at the International Conference on Occupational Stress and Health, Work, Stress and Health, Philadelphia, PA.

Delprino, R. P. (2019, April). Consulting with correctional and law enforcement associations: The value and use of applied research. Presented at the Annual Meeting of Consortium of Police and Public Safety Psychologists (COPPS), Daytona Beach, FL.

Delprino, R. P. (session organizer and presenter), Lindstrom, M. A.& Braun, D. (2018, July). The planner as an influencer. Presented at the Society for College and University Planning 53th Annual International Conference, Nashville, TN.

Delprino, R. P. (session organizer and presenter), Askey, L., Dee, T. & Santilli, N. (2017, July).  Leading meaningful change in community, public and private institutions of higher education.  Presented at the Society for College and University Planning 52th Annual International Conference, Washington, DC.

Delprino, R. P. (2015, August). How changing benefits influence officers’ willingness to stay on the job. Presented at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Delprino, R.P. & Lindstrom, M.A. (2015, July). Overcoming conflicting goals during strategic planning. Presented at the Society for College and University Planning 50th Annual International Conference, Chicago, IL.

*Delprino, R.P. (Chair, presenter and discussant), Cimarelli, C., Moore, D. C., & Richardson, K. (2015, May). Symposium: First responder and public safety families.  Presented at the International Conference on Occupational Stress and Health, "Work, Stress and Health 2015”, Atlanta, GA.

*Delprino, R.P. (Chair and presenter), Larson, C., Richardson, K., & Moore, D. C. (2014, August). Symposium: Providing support for public safety families: Research and practice. Presented at the annual convention of the American Psychological Association, Washington, DC.

*Miller, C. & Delprino, R.P. (2014, March). Comparison of working students’ and working adults’ work life orientation. Presented at the annual meeting of the Eastern Psychological Association, Boston, MA.

Delprino, R. P. (2013, July).  Sponsorship mapping: Supporting integrated planning. Ideas to action session. Presented at the Society for College and University Planning 48th Annual International Conference. San Diego, CA.

Professional Conferences Organized

The following are representative of the series of professional conferences and workshops that were developed with support from private and public organizations in both the United States and Canada. Support included monetary contributions as well as personnel who served as conference steering committee members, speakers, group facilitators, or conference/workshop volunteers.

Renewing Relationships: Enriching, Reconnecting, and Rebuilding Intimate Partnerships.  A couple’s communication weekend for first responders and their spouse or domestic partner. Beaver Hollow Conference Center, Java Center, NY. Sponsored by Public Safety Family Support Center, New York Disaster Counseling Coalition, Buffalo State College Research Foundation, TOPS Markets, and Seneca Nation of Indians, October 28-29, 2006, Java, NY.

9/11 One Year Later: Wellness in the Aftermath. State University of New York Conversations in the Disciplines. September 6, 2002, Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, Buffalo, NY.

Invited Training Seminars and Workshops Presented

Society for College and University Planning (SCUP). Invited trainer for all three steps of the SCUP Planning Institute.

Planning Institute 1: Foundations (Laying the Groundwork for Strategic Planning). A one-day program that provided an orientation to the strategic planning process.  Through a collaborative workshop environment participants applied the basic elements of integrated planning. 

Planning Institute 2: Design (Developing and Implementing a Strategic Plan). A two-day program that utilized a case study approach to provide training in the creation of a strategic plan as well as a deeper understanding of the needs and issues confronting key functional areas on campus during a planning initiative.

Planning Institute 3: Sustain (Building and Sustaining a Strategic Culture). A two-day program that viewed integrated planning through the lens of change management. The workshop weaved the technical planning for change with the realities of the people and relationships that already exist on the college and university campus.

Courses Usually Taught

• PSY 365 Psychology in the Workplace
• PSY 367 Organizational Psychology
• PSY 375 Forensic Psychology
• PSY 466 Personnel Psychology
• PSY 472 Psychology Seminar 

Research Interests

Applied Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Work and Family Issues, Occupational Health, Law Enforcement and Emergency Service Organizations, Strategic Planning processes, implementation, trends, and organizational issues.  

Awards

• President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, SUNY College at Buffalo
• President's Award for Excellence as an Undergraduate Research Mentor, SUNY College at Buffalo