Terrorism expert to direct new Buccino Leadership Institute

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Seton Hall University has appointed retired Lt. Col. Bryan C. Price, a nationally recognized expert of leadership development and terrorism, to serve as founding executive director of the university’s new Buccino Leadership Institute, a first-of-its-kind interdisciplinary undergraduate leadership program.

Price’s career is steeped in more than 20 years of distinguished leadership experience, including serving in multiple levels of command, ranging from leading combat troops in Iraq and Afghanistan to serving as an associate professor in the Department of Social Sciences at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, considered the world’s premier leadership development institution. In his most recent role, he directed the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point, an internationally renowned research and education center with global influence.

“Dr. Price is a perfect fit for Seton Hall because he possesses all of the key attributes that we value. He has all of the academic credentials, a passion for research as well as an extensive expertise in leadership and executive education,” interim Provost Karen Boroff said.

Price earned a B.S. in U.S. history from West Point, an M.A. in international relations from St. Mary’s University, and an M.A. and a Ph.D. in political science from Stanford University. His knowledge and expertise in terrorism, counterterrorism, U.S. national security and leadership have resulted in his briefing senior U.S. government and military officials throughout his career, including members of Congress, secretaries of defense, directors of the CIA and FBI, and numerous combatant commanders. His new book, “Targeting Top Terrorists,” is scheduled for publication in January 2019 by Columbia University Press.

Price is the recipient of numerous military commendations, including the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, three Meritorious Service Medals and two Air Medals. His professional affiliations include the American Political Science Association, International Studies Association, Marshall Center for Security Studies Alumni, as well as serving from 2010 to 2015 as a member of the Council of Foreign Relations. Growing up in Sea Girt, N.J., he still lives there with his wife, Tonya, and daughter Samantha.

“Leadership is 100 percent a necessary skill set,” Price said. “Our world is so complex but also so integrated that we need leaders in all types of disciplines. This is one of the unique aspects that this program brings to bear. It’s those light bulb moments when we might be talking about an aspect of leadership in diplomacy and where that nursing student will say, ‘Wait a second. I can apply that concept in my own realm.’ That’s where the magic is already happening.”

The institute’s four-year certificate program focuses on purposeful and strategic development of critical competencies or pillars of leadership development: character, civic engagement, change management, ceaselessness, collaboration, conflict management and courageous communication. It is the first interdisciplinary undergraduate leadership program of its kind in the United States, and one of only a few undergraduate programs that develop core competencies in specific pillars.

  Seton Hall University, U.S. Armed Forces