Alumni Profile: David Ciriello

David Ciriello (MSc Analytical Criminology and Criminal Justice, 2003) is a Director in a leading professional services firm in the United States. He has provided support to numerous government clients on major public projects in the areas of health and human services, education and crime and justice. David has Account leadership responsibilities, serves as a Mentor in his firm, and leads national volunteer efforts.

He holds numerous professional certifications in the areas of Corporate Governance, Program and Project Management, Internal Control, and Business Agility. He also served as an Auxiliary Police Officer (APO) in the New York City Police Department’s all-volunteer force where he was a recipient of the Commissioner’s Award. He also was recognised as one of the Top 40 Under Forty for the State of Connecticut by the Hartford Business Journal in 2017.

Why did you choose Green Templeton for your place of study?

I completed my undergraduate work at Northeastern University in Boston, MA which offered a prominent criminal justice program in the UnitedStates. I took this education seriously and immersed myself in all facets of the study of crime and the response to it, with a focus on victimology and a minor in sociology and was excited to finish at the top of my class. I was looking for a new challenge and to broaden my understanding of how criminal justice practitioners could have a valuable impact within society or their communities.

This research brought me to Green Templeton College and the Centre for Criminological Research. At the time the Director of the Centre was from GTC, and I learned all about GTC’s focus on supporting public welfare be it medicine, epidemiology, or criminal justice and was immediately impressed that a college at Oxford had such a human-centred and impactful focus. I was excited to view criminology as a subset of overall public health.

What advice would you give to any student considering Green Templeton?

I would ask them to identify what their goals are for their overall time at Oxford. For me, as a graduate, I was hoping for alignment with my education (Criminology), a more personable experience with regards to college life, and an environment just off the main path of Oxford. Taking the walk each day from Centre Street to GTC was a pleasure and allowed me to ‘see more of Oxford’.

I also found the campus, grounds, and Observatory a perfect place to support new relationships and deepen my Oxford experience while providing numerous dining, sport, and social opportunities in a manageable way. In short, the focus, size, and culture of GTC was a pleasure to be a part of and I was consistently impressed with the people, events, and grounds.

How has your time in college influenced your career path since leaving?

GTC ultimately helped me take an entrepreneurial approach to solving public problems. The cross-section of medical, business, and social sciences led to an eclectic group with a similar goal of promoting positive change and impact.

Through my time I met so many big thinkers giving their all to solve problems, help people, and leave a positive impact and I have carried this with me in my additional education and career.
What is your most enduring memory of GTC and/or your time at Oxford?

For me I always looked forward to the GCR and closing out a big day or week with friends. I also remember trips to see the wild horses just down the road and early morning walks with classmates. All of this made for a peaceful, learning-focused environment.

You’ve pursued some other endeavours alongside your career?

Indeed, I had the pleasure of serving on the Board of Directors of multiple non-profits in Boston and New York City, applying what I learned at GTC to help non-profits grow their impact.

Since my undergrad days I have prioritised volunteering and worked on a suicide hotline for over five years in Boston (Samaritans Inc) and served as a Counsellor at Camp Sunshine for over 10 years volunteering over night to support children with life-threatening illnesses.

Currently, in my professional role I created a Community Involvement initiative and help design and oversee volunteer efforts across my practice.

I also had the pleasure of serving as an Auxiliary Police Officer in the NYPD. I am also active with the Human Services IT Advisory Group (HSITAG) and am a member of the Project Management Institute (PMI), Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), and a member of ISACA among other professional associations.

Do you have time for any personal hobbies too?

I play chess and am teaching my son, and compete in local photography contests throughout the year. I’ve also won close 700 prizes in ‘claw machines’ over the years as a hobby which we donate to local hospitals.

What would you consider your greatest achievement in life so far?

Being a dad, and continuous learning. Even though it was long-ago when I graduated, I continue to adhere to the concept of ‘lifelong learning’ from my days at Oxford.