Please join us for Making Friends...Changing Lives, featuring Stephanie Rivera, ’14, volunteer and outreach director at Compeer of Greater Buffalo, on Tuesday, October 24, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center West.

Ms. Rivera, who earned a bachelor of science degree in social work from Buffalo State, served as the director of adult services and program coordinator for kids services at Compeer of Greater Buffalo. She is a certified instructor for adult Mental Health First Aid USA and is also certified in youth Mental Health First Aid. After serving as a mentor and witnessing the transformative impact on individuals she works with, Ms. Rivera created a Buffalo Volunteer and Friendship group, which now has over 2,300 members. When she’s not making a difference in the Buffalo community, she proudly enjoys being a mom and spending time with her daughter.

This program is sponsored by Buffalo State’s Equity and Campus Diversity Office, Student Accessibility Services, Best Buddies student organization, and Compeer of Greater Buffalo.

Please download the flier (PDF, 718 KB).

I will address the Buffalo State College community at my annual Opening Year Address today, October 24, at 12:15 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall. During my remarks, I will present highlights from the previous academic year and set the direction for the campus moving forward as we continue to advance excellence, engagement, and social responsibility as SUNY’s urban-engaged campus. All members of the campus community are encouraged to attend and to join me in a reception following the presentation to greet our new faculty and staff members.

Faculty and staff members are encouraged to bid on this week’s SEFA online raffle prize, an overnight stay for up to six people at a 6,000-square-foot lakefront estate in Derby, New York, courtesy of Rock Doyle, assistant vice president for health and wellness. Guests will have full use of the saltwater pool as well as beautiful lake views. Date of the stay to be agreed upon by Mr. Doyle and the winner (includes summers but excludes holidays). To enter, simply visit the SEFA Raffle website and follow the instructions. From the "Select Raffle Week" drop-down menu, please choose "Raffle No. 4 - October 23–26." This week’s raffle closes at 5:00 p.m. Friday, October 27. The winning ticket will be drawn Monday, October 30. The winner will be notified by e-mail or phone by campaign coordinator Tom Koller. Please contact Mr. Koller, 878-6514, with questions. All proceeds from the raffle go directly to the college’s SEFA campaign goal of $105,000.

And congratulations to Maria Garrity, senior systems programmer in RITE, the winner of last week’s online raffle of lunch for six at beautiful Campus House.

Members of the campus community are invited to submit nominations for the following student awards:

President’s Medal for Outstanding Undergraduate and Graduate Student
One undergraduate student and one graduate student will be awarded the President’s Medal. The President’s Medal is the highest honor awarded to a student by Buffalo State College. This award is given to a student who, through use of his or her natural talents and acquired skills, has demonstrated a commitment toward meeting the goals of higher education as set forth in the university’s mission statement. The recipients will deliver the student address at Commencement. A grade point average of at least 3.5 is required for consideration for this award. Only students graduating in December 2017, May 2018, or August 2018 will be considered.*

SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence
The Chancellor’s Award is the highest honor bestowed by SUNY upon a student. This award recognizes model students who have integrated academic excellence with achievement in areas such as athletics, community service, creative and performing arts, entrepreneurship, leadership, and career achievement. Although there is no prescribed grade point average for this award, it is assumed that recipients will have high academic achievement. Award recipients will be recognized at a spring ceremony in Albany and at Commencement. Only students graduating between June 2017 and May 2018 will be considered.*

Nominations are being sought for both awards. Students must be nominated by a faculty or staff member at Buffalo State College. Candidates must have demonstrated the qualities recognized by each award. Selection criteria are similar for each award; however, to be considered for the President’s Medal, a grade point average of 3.5 or higher is required. A student may be nominated for either or both awards.

Selection Criteria for Both Awards
Academic Performance: Documented via grade point average, honors received, rank in class, research, and other scholarly projects.

Citizenship: As measured by university and community service, the quality of extracurricular activities, and/or involvement in professional organizations.

Leadership and Creativity: Documented local, state, national, or international recognition for excellence (e.g., recipient of major national scholarships or athletic awards, or recognition by national and international associations and honor societies).

For graduate students: Documented activities related to the discipline of graduate degree program or other university service leadership in a professional organization, or community outreach activities related to the field of study.

More information and nomination materials are available on the Student Life website.

Nominations and supporting documentation must be delivered to the Student Affairs Office, Cleveland Hall 513, by 4:00 p.m. Monday, December 18

Those with questions or concerns regarding the application process are encouraged to call Kathy Marzolf, secretary 2, at 878-4704.

*Information will be verified with the Registrar's Office.

Last Saturday, on a beautiful day in Buffalo, we hosted our open house for students and family members who wanted to learn more about Buffalo State...

Please follow my blog at http://kateconwayturner.tumblr.com.

Please join us for the opening reception for the Buffalo State Men of Merit program on Thursday, November 2, from 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union Assembly Hall.

Men of Merit is an on-campus support network dedicated to improving the academic success of men enrolled at Buffalo State College.

Through distinction, excellence, and integrity, the Buffalo State Men of Merit program is designed to encourage student engagement through the following:

• activities that inspire academic success
• personal growth and development
• mentorship
• community service
• career exploration

We look forward to seeing you there.

Please contact the Equity and Campus Diversity Office with questions.

Homecoming week was full of excitement, energy, and just plain fun—Buffalo State style...

Please follow my blog at http://kateconwayturner.tumblr.com.

Faculty and staff members are encouraged to bid on this week’s SEFA online raffle prize, 15 meal swipes at the Bengal Kitchen, courtesy of Chartwells, along with an overnight stay at the beautiful Hilton Garden Inn Buffalo Downtown and a $50 Visa gift card. To enter, simply visit the SEFA Raffle website and follow the instructions. From the "Select Raffle Week" drop-down menu, please choose "Raffle No. 5 - October 30–November 2." This week’s raffle closes at 5:00 p.m. Friday, November 3. The winning ticket will be drawn Monday, November 6. The winner will be notified by e-mail or phone by campaign coordinator Tom Koller. Please contact Mr. Koller, 878-6514, with questions. All proceeds from the raffle go directly to the college’s SEFA campaign goal of $105,000.

And congratulations to Teresa Romalewski, secretary 1 in the Dean of Students Office, the winner of last week’s online raffle for an overnight stay at the 6,000-square-foot lakefront mansion in Derby.

The third annual Fostering Innovation in Teaching with Technology (FITT) Academy will be held June 4–8, 2018, and the call for project proposals is now open. The FITT Academy is a hands-on project-specific faculty development opportunity sponsored by Resources for Information, Technology, and Education (RITE).

Project proposals should be submitted by Sunday, February 11, 2018, and will be reviewed by the FITT Academy Committee, which includes RITE staff and previous FITT scholars. Applicants will be notified of accepted project proposals by early March. If selected, participants will be assigned to a Project Support Team that will assist in crafting a project charter, including project timeline, resources required, budget, and assessment plan.

Stipends are available to support FITT initiatives, so don't miss out! Additional information on the FITT Academy can be found on the RITE website.

The Professional Development Center is accepting nominations for its 2018 Creative Leadership Program (CLP) cohort, an individualized program of self-awareness, personal growth, and professional development designed to enhance individual leadership potential. The CLP has been offered for the past 11 years. Buffalo State received the Leadership Development and Diversity Award from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) in 2016 for its commitment to faculty and staff leadership development.

The Creative Leadership Program is designed for individuals who currently hold leadership positions at Buffalo State and are interested in enhancing their leadership effectiveness, including directors, department chairs, associate deans, deans, associate vice presidents, and others who have significant leadership roles on campus. Nominations and self-nominations may be submitted online. For more information about participant expectations during the program, please visit the Professional Development website. Ten to 12 nominees will be selected to participate in the Creative Leadership Program by their respective vice presidents or chief officers.

The Creative Leadership Program’s nine half-day workshops this year will be distributed across the spring and fall 2018 semesters as one workshop a month (Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) to better accommodate participants’ schedules. The scope of the program will include assessments, feedback, four hours of individualized coaching, group projects to address institutional challenges, and two 90-minute cohort meetings in 2019 to support participants’ continued leadership development. As a result of the CLP, participants will gain the following:

• increased self-awareness and mindfulness as leaders
• improved emotional and social awareness
• mastery of tools and strategies for addressing organizational problems
• improved strategic thinking and decision-making skills through the application of mental models to assess complex challenges in higher education
• increased effectiveness in working with others toward strategic goals
• maximization of individual leadership strengths and identification of skills in need of development
• design systems and a plan to support future leadership and personal and professional growth

For more information regarding the CLP, please visit the Professional Development Center website. Please contact Jonathan Hulbert, director of leadership and organizational development, with questions.