The Daily Bulletin Archive

I extend my best wishes and gratitude to Patricia Alessandra, who will retire from her position on January 3, 2023, after 31 years as an exemplary member of Buffalo State.

Ms. Alessandra, senior staff associate in the Academic Affairs Office, is the commencement director for academics. She earned her bachelor of arts degree in journalism cum laude from Buffalo State in 1987 and won the Female Alumni Scholar Athlete Award in 1987 as a member of the women’s swim team. She earned a graduate certificate in creative studies and served on the department’s alumni Creative Connections group and taught an undergraduate foundation course in creative studies.

Ms. Alessandra returned to her alma mater in 1991 as development events coordinator, responsible for cultivation and fundraising events, as well as supporting publications and foundation annual reports. She progressed into various roles coordinating campuswide events. She was senior assistant to the vice president for institutional advancement; interim assistant vice president for institutional advancement reporting to the vice president for finance and management and overseeing the Alumni Affairs Office and Institutional Advancement functions; and director of college relations, providing leadership in developing and implementing the college’s first strategic marketing program for community relations and enrollment management.

In 2000, she transitioned from full-time work to a part-time position in the Academic Affairs Office so that she could raise her family while continuing her career at Buffalo State. She provided leadership in planning and executing Commencement ceremonies and related functions under the purview of Academic Affairs while providing liaison relationships with other offices; developed content and maintained publications, communications, and the web presence for the Academic Affairs Office; produced noncurricular content sections of the undergraduate and graduate catalogs; and supported campuswide events, including Honors Convocation and the Faculty and Staff Recognition Ceremony. 

Ms. Alessandra has served on numerous committees during her career at the college. Her longstanding and much-appreciated committee service includes the College Senate Standards for Students Committee, the President’s Medal and SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence Selection Committee, and the Commencement Committee. Additional current committee service included the Employee Assistance Program Committee, the Commencement Operations Group, and the Buffalo State Community Emergency Response Team. With a lifelong commitment to community service, she has served numerous educational, nonprofit, and church organizations, including the WNY Alzheimers’s Association as co-chair of the Buffalo Walk to End Alzheimer’s with her husband, Michael, where they remain active volunteers.

Please join me in thanking Patricia Alessandra for her outstanding work and commitment to Buffalo State. We wish her all the best in retirement.