We have begun renewal of Building 50 and are making great progress on our Classroom Building renovation project. When it opens in 2026, the upgraded and contemporary Classroom Building will have a new name. After renovation of Building 50 is completed, the building will provide a new home for our University Police Department and will also require a new name.

As you return to campus this week, we’d love your feedback on selecting temporary names for these buildings.

Please complete this short survey by Thursday, April 7, at 5:00 p.m.

I have included terms from our national environment to serve as building names in the survey. Please rank the names or write in another option.

In the future, we may wish to rename these buildings after a historic figure, a significant supporter of the college, or a key person who has elevated the institution to new heights. For now, we embrace names that pay homage to our natural world. 

Thank you for participating!

I am pleased to announce the following personnel changes within the Finance and Management division.

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

Dawn A. Pustelnik has been named assistant director of administrative operations, pursuing innovative business practices and developing operating strategies that enhance efficiencies. In addition, she provides support for COVID-19 testing operations. Ms. Pustelnik has been part of the Buffalo State College community for 20 years, previously serving as audience services manager for the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall.

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

Thomas J. Galluch will join Buffalo State as emergency manager on April 14, reporting to Jeffrey Hammer, senior director of environmental health and safety. Mr. Galluch brings to the college extensive knowledge and expertise in emergency and crisis management, including 19 years of experience at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). Most recently, he served as agent in charge for the Buffalo field office of the ATF. Mr. Galluch will be responsible for day-to-day planning and implementation of Buffalo State’s emergency preparedness initiatives and will serve as the front-line representative of emergency management for the college community.

FACILITIES

In response to the upcoming retirement of Facilities Director Steven Shaffer, the following department members will assume additional responsibilities and report directly to the vice president for finance and management:

Kris A. Kaufman will serve as officer in charge for the department while continuing his duties as director of maintenance repair and residential planning. Mr. Kaufman will assume on-site responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the Facilities Department and will also oversee custodial services.

Daniel R. Herr, energy manager, will continue oversight of the central power plant and will oversee the ongoing renovation of that facility.

Brian D. Wittmer, manager of design and construction, will oversee all matters related to facilities design and construction and will supervise staff in this area.

I thank them for their willingness to temporarily assume these responsibilities to maintain seamless operation of the department. Details about a search for Buffalo State’s next leader of facilities will be announced at a later date.

Other changes in the Facilities Department:

Cheryl L. Byer has been named director of campus business operations, assuming responsibility for business operations support for all maintenance trades, custodial services, design and construction, the heating plant, and the Environmental Health and Safety Office. She is leading the business functions of procurement, human resources, accounting, and budget for these areas while continuing to supervise the facilities operations group, central receiving, the lock shop, and the stockroom. Ms. Byer has added responsibilities for budget development and ongoing workforce planning.

Barry J. Skoney has joined the department as Buffalo State’s maintenance manager, reporting to Kris Kaufman, following the recent retirement of Michael Dombrowski. Mr. Skoney comes to Buffalo State with 24 years of experience in engineering and maintenance management, most recently with Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, where he served as the facilities engineering manager. Mr. Skoney will oversee the skilled maintenance trades shops, grounds, and motorized equipment repair shops.

HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

The Human Resource Management Office has filled two positions following retirements:

Holly S. Powell has joined the staff as a human resources generalist, administering all human resources programs including benefits, leaves, personnel, recruitment, time and attendance, and emergency response. Ms. Powell comes to Buffalo State with 19 years of experience in HR, having served most recently as a human resource assistant for United States Probation and Pretrial Services, Western District of New York.

Sherri L. Wagner has also joined the department as a human resources generalist, executing the full range of human resource functions. Ms. Wagner has 19 years of experience in HR, and most recently was chief personnel clerk at SUNY Erie Community College.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Khaleel M. Gathers has been appointed associate vice president and chief information officer. Mr. Gathers will oversee the Information Technology Department consisting of enterprise systems, technology support services, enterprise infrastructure services, and the project management office. Buffalo State’s IT teams are responsible for support and delivery of client support services, academic technology, IT infrastructure, information security, student information systems, and enterprise applications.

Most recently Buffalo State’s deputy chief information officer, Mr. Gathers joined the Buffalo State community in 1994. He has more than 30 years of experience in the information technology sector and more than 25 years of experience within higher education.

Mr. Gathers holds a bachelor’s degree in information systems management and a master’s degree in higher education administration. He is a 2019 graduate of the SUNY SAIL Institute's CIO Leadership Academy.

In celebration of Earth Day, April 22, and Arbor Day, April 29, the Buffalo State College Sustainability Committee will sponsor several events during the month of April. 

Please look for individual announcements about these wonderful events coming soon to the Daily Bulletin:

• April 6: National Walking Day
• April 15 and 22: Urban bird watching walks beginning at 8:00 a.m. at the Southwest corner of Rockwell Hall, near the lion statues. (Space is limited; please watch for a future announcement with registration information.) 
• April 19: Electronics Recycling Day to benefit the Buffalo State Child Care Center, beginning at 10:00 a.m. in lot R-13
• April 26: A tour of the college’s Maud Gordon Holmes Arboretum beginning at 12:15 p.m. on the front steps of Rockwell Hall
• April 28: Environmental Information Fair celebrating Earth Day and Arbor Day, beginning at 12:15 p.m. in Campbell Student Union and on the Plaza
• April 29: Arbor Day ceremonial tree planting: An Eastern white pine, known as the Tree of Peace, will be planted at noon.
• April 29: Arbor Day speaker: Buffalo State graduate student Chloe Mokadam will present, “Exploring Buffalo State’s Arboretum via a New Online Tree Guide.” The presentation, sponsored by the Friends of the Maud Gordon Holmes Arboretum, will begin at 3:00 p.m. in Technology Building 160.

Questions about these events may be addressed to Steven Sypniewski, assistant campus planner and arboretum manager.

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Sumana Silverheels as interim director of student accessibility services (SAS), effective April 11. Ms. Silverheels has served as the SAS technology and accommodations coordinator since 2010. Before joining Buffalo State College, Ms. Silverheels served as the assistive technology training director at the University at Buffalo (UB)’s Center for Assistive Technology, Client Services. She holds a bachelor’s degree in physics and industrial electronics and a master’s degree in social sciences, interdisciplinary studies.

In December 2021, I shared with you an overview of the budget picture at Buffalo State and indicated we would be working together toward a multiyear plan—to be announced this summer—to steady our financial footing. As we close out this academic year and wrap up phase two of the 2022–2023 Strategic Resource Planning Process, I have set aside three opportunities for campus community members to meet with me and members of the cabinet to share your reflections and ideas on steps we can take toward securing a financially stable and sustainable future at Buffalo State College.

Session 1
Tuesday, April 19
12:15 p.m.
Campbell Student Union Social Hall
RSVP by April 15

Session 2
Thursday, May 5  
12:15 p.m.
Campbell Student Union Assembly Hall
RSVP by May 3

Session 3
Friday, May 6
3:00 p.m. 
Campbell Student Union Assembly Hall
RSVP by May 4

If you have any questions that you would like to share in advance, please forward them to president@buffalostate.edu at least one week before the listening session you plan to attend.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts and discussing ideas from the campus community as we look forward to our sustainable future at Buffalo State.

In December 2021, I shared with you an overview of the budget picture at Buffalo State and indicated we would be working together toward a multiyear plan—to be announced this summer—to steady our financial footing. As we close out this academic year and wrap up phase two of the 2022–2023 Strategic Resource Planning Process, I have set aside three opportunities for campus community members to meet with me and members of the cabinet to share your reflections and ideas on steps we can take toward securing a financially stable and sustainable future at Buffalo State College. The first session was held April 19. There are two more opportunities to participate in May.

Session 2
Thursday, May 5 
12:15 p.m.
Campbell Student Union Assembly Hall
RSVP by May 3

Session 3
Friday, May 6
3:00 p.m. 
Campbell Student Union Assembly Hall
RSVP by May 4

If you have any questions that you would like to share in advance, please forward them to president@buffalostate.edu at least one week before the listening session you plan to attend.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts and discussing ideas from the campus community as we look forward to our sustainable future at Buffalo State.

Nominations are open for the Celebration of Community Engagement awards. The college will honor members of the campus community and our community partners for their efforts in the areas of service learning, civic engagement, and volunteerism that occurred throughout the academic year. Please consider submitting a nomination on behalf of a deserving student, faculty member, course, student organization, or community partner. This is a great opportunity to show sincere appreciation and gratitude to those who are committed to civic responsibility. 

Student Awards
Outstanding Service-Learning Course  |  Outstanding Service-Learning Student  |  Outstanding Student Volunteer  |  Outstanding Community Service by a Student Organization 
 
Community Partner and Faculty Awards 
Outstanding Community Partner  |  Reciprocal Partnership Award  |  Early-Career Faculty Award for Community Engagement  |  Mid-Career Faculty Award for Community Engagement  |  Leadership in Community Engagement 

Please submit award nominations through the Civic and Community Engagement website. The nomination deadline is Friday, April 22. For more information, please visit the Celebration of Community Engagement web page.

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Randyll Bowen as Buffalo State College’s new vice president for enrollment management. Dr. Bowen, who will officially join the Buffalo State community on May 2, currently serves as the vice president for enrollment management at Hilbert College in Hamburg, New York.

A 1999 graduate of Buffalo State, Dr. Bowen brings more than 27 years of progressively responsible higher education experience to the position, including a distinctive range of enrollment management leadership roles at two- and four-year institutions in the Western New York region. I believe his unique experience, collaborative style, and innovative strategies will mesh well with our talented teams in Admissions, Financial Aid, Marketing and Communications, and Registrar’s Office. I look forward to Dr. Bowen joining our senior leadership team next month.

Please read more about Dr. Bowen’s background in the biography below.

I would like to thank the members of the search committee and the search chair, Rita Zientek, for their efforts and service to Buffalo State.

Lastly, please join me in thanking David Loreto for his strategic leadership of the division over the past year as interim vice president for enrollment management. Mr. Loreto has advanced a number of key enrollment initiatives in a short period of time, including critical work co-chairing the Enrollment and Resource Planning Task Force—an initiative that will inform our collective efforts in years to come. 

About Randyll Bowen
As the vice president for enrollment management at Hilbert since January 2020, Dr. Bowen has been responsible for administrative oversight of the offices of graduate, undergraduate, and international admissions; Hilbert College Global admissions; financial aid; student accounts; and marketing and college communications. While at Hilbert, he implemented a robust dual enrollment program with high schools in Western New York that grew from 650 students in 2019 to more than 1,800 students in spring 2022, including more than 1,000 students from 16 schools within the Buffalo Public Schools system.

Prior to Hilbert, Dr. Bowen was the vice president for student life and enrollment management at D’Youville University (2017 to 2019), providing leadership in the areas of athletics, health services, career services, counseling, residential life, student activities, student leadership, marketing and communications, undergraduate admissions, graduate admissions, international recruitment, financial aid, veterans affairs, web services, retention services, and Title IX. He also served as associate vice president for enrollment management at D’Youville (2016 to 2017).

Before his four years at D’Youville, Dr. Bowen was the associate vice president for enrollment management (2015 to 2016) and assistant vice president for enrollment management (2013 to 2015) at Monroe Community College. He held the same position at Villa Maria College from 2011 to 2013. Additionally, he served in a variety of roles over two periods (2000 to 2002 and 2007 to 2011) at Niagara County Community College, including vice president for workforce and community development, interim director of the NCCC Foundation, interim vice president for information technology services and chief information officer, assistant vice president for enrollment management, and director of enrollment processing.

From 2002 to 2007, Dr. Bowen held the title of associate vice president of enrollment management and marketing at Erie Community College. He started his career in enrollment management at Bryant & Stratton College as an admissions representative (1995 to 1998) and director of admissions (1998 to 2000).

He earned a B.S. in communications from SUNY Brockport in 1994, an M.S. in student personnel administration from Buffalo State in 1999, and an Ed.D. in organizational leadership from Grand Canyon University in 2018.

I am honored to announce the recipients of the 2021–2022 President’s Medal and SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence. I extend my gratitude to the members of the campus community who nominated students for their outstanding achievements.

The President’s Medal is the highest honor awarded to a student at 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 college’s mission statement. The recipients will deliver the student address at Commencement.

The SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence acknowledges students for outstanding achievements that have demonstrated the integration of SUNY excellence within many aspects of their lives in areas such as academics, leadership, campus involvement, community service, or the arts. It is the highest honor bestowed upon a student within the State University of New York system. Recipients will be recognized at the 2022 awards ceremony in Saratoga Springs, New York, on Tuesday, April 26, at 2:00 p.m.

President’s Medal and SUNY Chancellor’s Award recipients and finalists will also be honored at the Buffalo State College Student Leadership and Humanitarian Awards on Tuesday, May 3, at 3:00 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union Social Hall. More information about the ceremony can be found on the Dean of Students website.

PRESIDENT’S MEDAL FOR OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT
Nicholas Stanford, Music Education; Philosophy
Nicholas Stanford, a member of the college’s Muriel A. Howard Honors program, has conducted unique research on music and philosophy. His Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship focused on how people respond to music and whether their emotional reactions are influenced by cognitive objects unrelated to the music. He has also conducted qualitative research on at-home toddler musical play, culminating in a co-presentation of these findings at the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association Biennial International Convention and in an article recently submitted for publication. Mr. Stanford serves as president of the college’s chapter of Phi Sigma Tau, the international philosophy honor society; early childhood music lead and co-teacher at the Buffalo State Community Arts Academy; and principal percussionist and timpanist with the Buffalo State Wind Ensemble.

PRESIDENT’S MEDAL FOR OUTSTANDING GRADUATE STUDENT
Solomon Joseph, Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration
Solomon Joseph, who has served as editor of the monthly Buffalo Latino Village, has excelled in the areas of research and inquiry. As a graduate assistant in the Equity and Campus Diversity Office, he created a meaningful Diversity Dialogue series. Mr. Joseph was chosen to serve on the President’s Diversity Council and the Social Justice Learning Institute Committee. In addition, he has served as a campus restorative justice ambassador, an intern for the Buffalo Charter School of Applied Technology Summer Bridge Program, and a teaching assistant for the Buffalo Middle Early College Academic and Tutoring Center.

SUNY CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR STUDENT EXCELLENCE
Kassius Broadus, History
Kassius Broadus is an accomplished researcher and aspiring public interest attorney who launched a thorough investigation of the Tonawanda Coke Corporation, which helped lead to its ultimate shutdown for violations of the Clean Air Act. A transgender man and nontraditional student, Mr. Broadus is a strong advocate for an affirming environment for LGBTQ+ students. He serves as vice president of the college’s chapter of Phi Alpha Theta and the national honor society in history, and as the History and Social Studies Education Department’s student representative on the Dean’s Student Council.

SUNY CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR STUDENT EXCELLENCE
Sara Hillman, Political Science
Sara Hillman, who has worked multiple jobs and served in the U.S. Air Force while attending college, paired her political science major with minors in philosophy and environmental science. Her academic research focused on how political actions and non-actions affect the environment. She earned an Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship and presented her work at the college’s Student Research and Creativity Conference. Ms. Hillman has served as a senator with the college’s United Students Government, president of the Student Political Society, and president of the Residential Hall Association, and she has volunteered with the Anne Frank Project and Bengals Dare to Care Day.

SUNY CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR STUDENT EXCELLENCE
Joana Leamon, Media Production
Joana Leamon, a member of the college’s Muriel A. Howard Honors program, is an accomplished videographer and editor. She took a leading role in reviving the campus radio station and television club after a year of inactivity due to the pandemic. Her independent study on drone operation has been an invaluable resource for fellow students. Ms. Leamon received the 2021 Tim Russert Media Career Award from the Buffalo Broadcasters Association (BBA) as the area’s outstanding collegiate media student. She was invited to join the BBA board of directors as a student representative and earned a prestigious media production internship at Buffalo Toronto Public Media, the local PBS station.

SUNY CHANCELLOR’S AWARD FOR STUDENT EXCELLENCE: SPECIAL AWARD FOR MILITARY SERVICE
Cody Crist, Earth Sciences
Cody Crist, a U.S. Army veteran and nontraditional student, is a member of the college’s Muriel A. Howard Honors program. A diligent researcher, he has worked as an undergraduate student teaching assistant and earned an Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowship in geology. Mr. Crist has also conducted research on behalf of the college’s Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium and serves as president of the college’s Astronomy/Geology Club. Beyond campus, he has volunteered to train disabled and amputee veterans in rock climbing and mental health exercises. In addition, he is a volunteer firefighter at UCREST Fire Department.

Consistent with efforts across the campus to increase effectiveness and optimize resources, we are making a few changes to the organizational structure within Academic Affairs. These changes became effective as of April 1, 2022.

Learning Communities, headed by Natalie Szymanski, director of the College Writing Program, will report directly to me. Daniel Blum, lecturer of history and social studies education, will oversee Academic Affairs first-year courses, and Sandra Flanigan, will serve as the office’s administrative assistant.

Sara Reese, director of academic advising; Erica Demler, director of the Math Center and supplemental instruction; Maggie Herb, director of the Writing Center; Lauren Copeland, director of subject tutoring; and Stan Simmons, director of the Say Yes program, will now report to Amitra Wall, associate provost.

Leasa Rochester-Mills will serve as director of academic standards and will report to Carlos Jones, associate dean of the School of Arts and Sciences. Jennifer Augstell will continue to serve as the office’s administrative assistant.

Ashley Martin Whipple will serve as director of student achievement programs under Gabriel Marshall, associate vice president and senior adviser for student success and retention.

These changes will provide an efficient and effective way for Buffalo State College to ensure that our students achieve academic success and complete their degrees.