Article • August 10, 2026
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MassBay Community College President David Podell administers the oath to MassBay Chief Robert Stephanian during a swearing-in ceremony on the Wellesley Hills campus, Wellesley Hills, MA, August 2026 (Photo / MassBay Community College).
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Liz Cooper
ecooper@massbay.edu
WELLESLEY HILLS, Mass. (August 10, 2026) — MassBay Community College held a well-attended swearing-in ceremony for Robert Stephanian, who was named chief of the MassBay Police Department. Stephanian will lead public safety operations across MassBay’s three campuses and oversee campus police, emergency management, and all campus security initiatives.
“I’m honored to serve as MassBay’s chief of police, and I look forward to working with the community to provide a safe and welcoming environment,” said Stephanian. “Collaborating with faculty, staff, and students will be key to fostering a culture of safety, trust, and mutual respect. Together, we can ensure that all members of the MassBay community feel supported as they learn, work, and grow on our campuses.”
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Prior to this role, Stephanian served as Captain of the Bureau of Criminal Investigation at the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office, where he led a multidisciplinary team of sworn officers and civilian forensic professionals specializing in crime scene investigation, laboratory services, latent print examination, and digital forensics. He also served as quality manager, maintaining accreditation for the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Office laboratories and the laboratory’s quality management system.
In addition, Stephanian was appointed to the International Association of Chiefs of Police Communications and Technology Committee in 2023. He chairs the Annual Report subcommittee and serves on the committee’s Artificial Intelligence subcommittee.
The swearing-in ceremony was highlighted by the traditional badge pinning, which was performed by Stephanian’s wife Katie. Dozens of law enforcement officials from county sheriff offices, municipal police departments, and university and college police departments from around southeastern Massachusetts were in attendance.
Stephanian holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and management from Bridgewater State University and a Master of Business Administration in Homeland Security and Emergency Management from Rosemont College, part of the Naval Postgraduate School’s University Agency Partnership Initiative.
MassBay Community College is the most affordable higher education option in MetroWest Boston and is free to most Massachusetts residents without a bachelor’s degree. With more than 70 associate degree and certificate programs, along with comprehensive workforce and educational training, MassBay provides a wide range of courses with flexible day, evening, and weekend classes in Wellesley, Framingham, the Automotive Technology Center in Ashland, and online, in high-demand fields including health and life sciences, computer science, engineering, cybersecurity, business, and the humanities. MassBay students receive unparalleled value, with free one-on-one academic and social support services, compassionate and experienced faculty, and stackable credits that easily transfer to bachelor’s degree programs and that provide hands-on, workforce-ready skills. Health sciences, human services, early childhood education, and many general education programs are offered at the 65,000 square foot, state-of-the-art MassBay Framingham, which has served the community since January 2024. Founded in 1961, MassBay has been accredited by multiple governing bodies and remains dedicated to serving its diverse communities, fostering inclusiveness, and advancing equity for all.
