The Buffalo State Pedagogical Institute—a week of professional collaboration that develops instructional skills and integrates campus resources—will be held on campus Monday, May 20–Thursday, May 23. Instructors and coordinators of Student Success, first-year, and general education courses, TRIO personnel, student services professionals, and administrators will benefit from the workshops and discussions. All sessions will be held in Bacon Hall 115. Please register for sessions through the Workshop Registration System.

AGENDA

Monday, May 20
8:30 a.m.  - Light breakfast
9:00–10:00 a.m. - Randyll Bowen: Grit—What It Is and How We Can Teach It to Our Students
10:15–11:15 a.m. - Stanley Simmons: Protecting the Thing That You Value the Most
11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m. - Candace Williams: Title IX: What You Need to Know as a Mandated Reporter
12:15–1:00 p.m. - Lunch
1:00–2:00 p.m. - Denise Harris: An Examination of the Hiring Landscape: Understanding the Changing World of Work
2:15–3:45 p.m. - Sourav Biswas, Reva Fish, Christopher Hulsman, Gehan Senthinathan: Open Educational Resources: Exploring the Impact to Pedagogy and Student Engagement

Tuesday, May 21
8:30 a.m. - Light breakfast
CANCELED: 9:00–10:00 a.m. - Kayla James and Jocelyn Tejeda: Creating Cohorts: How and Why?
10:15–11:45 a.m. - Alexandra Allen, Ho Eui Holly Bewlay, Jennifer (Fox) Connelly, Erin Habes, Katie McCabe, Jennifer Ryan-Bryant: Newsprint, Snowball, Toolbox: Strategies to Decolonize the University Classroom
Noon - Lunch
1:00–1:45 p.m. - Kim Barron: Measures of Student Success: Middles States Commission on Higher Education
2:00–3:30 p.m. - Joy Guarino: Designing Your Faculty-Led Study-Abroad Course

Wednesday, May 22
8:30 a.m. -  Light breakfast
9:00–9:45 a.m. - David Loreto and Dean Reinhardt: Yes, We Visit Local High Schools, Too!
10:00–11:45 a.m. - Renee (Carlineo) Mattice and Christian Ozolins: Taking a Practical Approach to Your Classroom: Concepts Coaches and Athletics Professionals Use to Build Commitment, Interdependence, and Resilience
Noon - Lunch
1:00–2:30 p.m. - Renee (Carlineo) Mattice and Christian Ozolins Continued

Thursday, May 23
8:30 a.m. - Light breakfast
9:00–10:30 a.m. - Laura Hill Rao and Alice Villaseñor: Introduction to Community-Engaged Learning
10:45–11:45 a.m. - Jordan Raine: Tools for Success: Assistive Technology Available across Campus
Noon - Lunch
CANCELED: 1:00–1:45 p.m. - Dianne McCarthy: Course Development and Revision
2:00–3:30 p.m. - Laura Hill Rao and Alice Villaseñor: Community-Engaged Learning Reflection Activities

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MONDAY, MAY 20

Grit—What It Is and How We Can Teach It to Our Students
9:00–10:00 a.m.
Randyll Bowen, Vice President for Enrollment Management

Grit is defined as “one’s ability to persevere and achieve long-term goals through adversity.” This workshop will provide participants an overview of Grit and how it can be applied in today’s classroom to support student success outcomes.

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Protecting the Thing That You Value the Most
10:15–11:15 a.m.
Stanley Simmons, Say Yes Coordinator

A student-centered experience in discovering value.

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Title IX: What You Need to Know as a Mandated Reporter
11:30 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Candace Williams, Title IX Coordinator

In this session, we will go over what Title IX is, how you are a mandated reporter as an employee of Buffalo State, and what steps you need to take in the instance that a student reports a potential TIX violation to you.

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An Examination of the Hiring Landscape: Understanding the Changing World of Work
1:00–2:00 p.m.
Denise Harris, Director, Career and Professional Education Center

No one wants to work! I applied to 100 jobs and haven’t even received an interview! There seems to be conflicting messages regarding the local and national employment landscape. This workshop will address these nuances and what is actually happening across New York State with regard to job placement.

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Open Educational Resources: Exploring the Impact to Pedagogy and Student Engagement
2:15–3:45 p.m.
Sourav Biswas, Assistant Professor, Chemistry
Reva Fish, Associate Professor, Social and Psychological Foundations of Education and Adult Education
Christopher Hulsman, Electronic and Educational Resources Librarian, Butler Library
Gehan Senthinathan, Assistant Professor, Social and Psychological Foundations of Education and Adult Education

This three-part (90-minute) workshop will discuss recent research in OER creation, discovery, and implementation. We will explore how open pedagogy influences student success and what challenges are included with adopting OER for a course.

The second part of this workshop will be a live demonstration of several searchable OER repositories and a few examples of OER texts adopted at Buffalo State. We will display software that is available through SUNY for courseware and OER creation and publishing and provide direction for locating reviews and information on vetting OER.

The workshop finale will feature a panel of Buffalo State faculty members discussing their experiences with OER, including recipients of the SUNY OER Impact Grants from last year. OER can provide potential benefits to your pedagogy. It can also bring challenges. We will discuss all these talking points and reveal some results of the Faculty Textbook and OER Trends Survey currently deployed at Buffalo State by E. H. Butler Library.

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TUESDAY, MAY 21

PLEASE NOTE: THIS SESSION HAS BEEN CANCELED.

Creating Cohorts: How and Why?
9:00–10:00 a.m.
Kayla James, EOP Advisor, and Jocelyn Tejeda, Senior EOP Counselor

Cohorts play a significant role in promoting student engagement and retention by creating a sense of community and shared purpose. They foster an environment conducive to active participation and a strong sense of belonging. Using the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) model, this session will give us the opportunity to discuss the concept of “birds of a feather flocking together” as it relates to the pros and cons of cohorts.

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Newsprint, Snowball, Toolbox: Strategies to Decolonize the University Classroom
10:15–11:45 a.m.
Alexandra Allen, Assistant Professor, Art and Design
Ho Eui Holly Bewlay, Professor, Music
Jennifer (Fox) Connelly, Associate Director, Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium
Erin Habes, Lecturer, Fashion and Textile Technology
Katie McCabe, Assistant Professor, Exceptional Education
Jennifer Ryan-Bryant, Professor, English

Decolonizing education requires pedagogical approaches to foster empathy, cultural competence, and open-mindedness. It also requires the use of strategies to increase student engagement within education spaces. Educators will learn how to include diverse voices and address historical injustices through discussion protocols in higher education classrooms from all disciplines.

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Measures of Student Success: Middles States Commission on Higher Education
1:00–1:45 p.m.
Kim Barron, Assistant Vice President, Institutional Effectiveness and Planning

How Buffalo State defines and measures student success inside and outside the classroom is, in part, determined by MSCHE requirements. The discussion will include an overview of Buffalo State’s current standing with MSCHE, student success measures that are under review, and examples of data used to inform student success initiatives.

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Designing Your Faculty-Led Study-Abroad Course
2:00–3:30 p.m.
Joy Guarino, Director, Global Engagement

Interested in taking students abroad? Considering a course that culminates in an in-country experience for you and your students?

Faculty members will learn how to navigate the study-abroad proposal process, the study-abroad website, and other resources available to assist them with the proposal process. Join us to have a better understanding of SUNY and the university’s travel policies and procedures. Come to be connected with like-minded colleagues. The world has reopened, and our students are interested in getting out there and making their mark.

Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) connects students and professors in different countries for collaborative projects and discussions as part of their coursework. Would you like to explore the possibilities when you bring COIL into your teaching and research?

COIL collaborations between students and professors provide meaningful, significant opportunities for global experiences built into programs of study. COIL enhances intercultural student interaction through meaningful online engagement while providing universities a cost-effective way to ensure that their students are globally engaged. Buffalo State is a member of the SUNY COIL center. As a member, we can offer you a multitude of professional development opportunities and a network of potential partners.

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 22

Yes, We Visit Local High Schools, Too!
9:00–9:45 a.m.
David Loreto, Executive Director, Admissions
Dean Reinhart, Associate Director, Admissions

Join us as we delve into the intricate process of recruiting and admitting an incoming class at Buffalo State. Gain insights from the Admissions leadership team, exploring the strategies, challenges, and considerations involved in assembling a diverse and dynamic student body. From cultivating relationships with prospective students to crafting compelling visit experiences, this presentation will illuminate the multifaceted approach to building an incoming class.

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Taking a Practical Approach to Your Classroom: Concepts Coaches and Athletics Professionals Use to Build Commitment, Interdependence, and Resilience
10:00–11:45 a.m. and 1:00–2:30 p.m.
Renee (Carlineo) Mattice, Director, Intercollegiate Athletics
Christian Ozolins, Assistant Director and Completion Coach, Intercollegiate Athletics

In these sessions we will go over practical ways to build a sense of commitment, resilience, and belonging in your classroom. We will demonstrate strategies used by coaches and athletics support staff to implement the course material into daily practices. These strategies will help transform classroom lessons for students into practice and use transferable skills that support time management, habit formation and change, effective professional communications, and interpersonal communications.

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THURSDAY, MAY 23

Introduction to Community-Engaged Learning
9:00–10:30 a.m.
Laura Hill Rao, Director, Civic and Community Engagement
Alice Villaseñor, Associate Director, Civic and Community Engagement

Please join the Civic and Community Engagement Office for an introduction to service learning and community engagement.

Are you new to community-engaged learning and interested in understanding how you might incorporate a community engagement project into your course? Would you like a refresher on the fundamentals of community-engaged learning? This interactive session will help faculty and staff new to the pedagogy as well as those who could use a brush-up on community-engaged learning and the practice of incorporating a community-based project into a course.

Topics will include

• an overview of the theory and practice of service learning,
• strategies for identifying reciprocal and meaningful community partnerships,
• a discussion of effective methods of incorporating student reflection to connect the service and course learning,
• how our CCE office supports faculty members through the process of teaching community-engaged learning courses.

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Tools for Success: Assistive Technology Available across Campus
10:45–11:45 a.m.
Jordan Raine, Accommodation Specialist, Student Accessibility Services

An introduction to the full range of assistive technology and software available for all students, faculty, and staff. This presentation will provide an overview of how to use these tools and how to guide your students in accessing them for increased comprehension and understanding of content. Products include Read & Write, Notability, and Morphic Accessibility Toolbar.

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PLEASE NOTE: THIS SESSION HAS BEEN CANCELED.

Course Development and Revision
1:00–1:45 p.m.
Dianne McCarthy, Professor, Elementary Education, Literacy, and Educational Leadership: Chair, College Senate Curriculum Committee

In this session we will explore how to develop new and revise courses to include current trends in a field and student learning needs. We will discuss student learning outcomes, Bloom’s taxonomy, assessments, and course content outlines that illustrate comprehensive yet feasible courses. Last, we will review how to prepare course for the curriculum management system used by the university for reviewing and approving courses.

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Community-Engaged Learning Reflection Activities
2:00–3:30 p.m.
Laura Hill Rao, Director, Civic and Community Engagement
Alice Villaseñor, Associate Director, Civic and Community Engagement

Reflection activities are an essential component of community-engaged learning and other applied learning courses because they connect your students’ projects or work in the community with their course content. This session will begin with a brief overview of the research about the importance of reflection. The bulk of our time will be spent participating in a reflection activity and discussion of reflection assignments across various disciplines. Participants will walk away with practical resources they can use when planning their future courses.

Please come prepared to participate and share the kinds of reflection assignments you have found to be useful in your own discipline. This session is appropriate for both skilled community-engaged learning practitioners and those who have yet to teach a community-engaged learning or applied learning course.

It is my pleasure to announce that Candace Williams has agreed to transition into the role of Title IX coordinator reporting to the interim chief diversity officer. In this critical role, Ms. Williams will monitor the university’s compliance with Title IX as well as other laws and regulations that seek to address sexual harassment and gender-based violence and discrimination. The Title IX coordinator is additionally responsible for providing Title IX training as well as taking and investigating complaints from students, faculty, and staff members.

Ms. Williams is an alumna of Buffalo State’s higher education and student affairs administration program. An experienced higher ed professional, she has served the campus in many roles, including assistant director of housing operations and, most recently, Title IX investigator and assistant director of interpersonal violence prevention and education.

For many years, the Title IX coordinator has been a mandated responsibility that was shared among several positions at the university. In light of the new Title IX regulations, it is particularly important that we now have someone whose sole focus is Title IX and addressing sexual harassment, discrimination, and gender-based violence. There are several notices both internally and externally that must be updated to officially make this change. In the remaining weeks of the semester, both Ms. Williams and I will be responsible Title IX officers, in anticipation of Ms. Williams serving as sole Title IX officer starting June 1. 

For more information on Title IX and the grievance and complaint process, please visit the Equity and Campus Diversity website or email titleix@buffalostate.edu.

Thank you to members of the campus community who attended the presentations by candidates for the director of residence life position at Buffalo State. Each candidate presented on the topic “Enhancing Residence Life: Strategies for Retention, Engagement, and Assessment at Buffalo State University.” Please provide feedback on the sessions. The form will remain open until 5:00 p.m. today, April 23.

Thank you again for your participation and review of candidates for this vital position at Buffalo State University. Student Affairs is grateful for the work of the search committee, led by Maria Brickhouse, coordinator of the Academic Center of Excellence in EOP.

The 2024 Student Leadership and Humanitarian Awards Ceremony will take place today, April 23, at 3:00 p.m. in the Campbell Student Union Social Hall. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners who will be awarded during the ceremony.

Internships play a crucial role in students’ overall development, providing them with practical insights into their chosen field and helping them bridge the gap between academic knowledge and professional application. By participating in internships, students gain valuable skills, industry exposure, and networking opportunities that significantly contribute to their personal and professional growth.

Career and Professional Education (CAPE) is facilitating the SUNY Incremental Funding for Internships for summer 2024. Applications are due Friday, May 31.

Each student is eligible to receive up to $1,700. This funding can be used for general living expenses, professional clothing, and transportation, as well as costs associated with housing or rent. This initiative is a testament to SUNY’s commitment to enhancing the educational experience of our students by providing them with real-world, hands-on opportunities that align with their academic and career goals.

Inform Students
If you know of any students who are interested in or are pursuing an internship for summer 2024, please inform them of this opportunity. Students can apply for this funding by completing an online application in Bengal Connect. Applications must be submitted by May 31.

Looking to Host an Intern?
If your office would like to host an intern for summer 2024, please complete this online form. This is a great opportunity to have an undergraduate student work on a special project or initiative. Many of our students do not have access to transportation, so on-campus experiences will ensure that more students have access to this opportunity. Please contact Maureen Huber, associate director of CAPE, with questions.

We are asking for your assistance to support this initiative.

CAPE is available to help students create their résumés, cover letters, and any other professional documents needed to apply for an internship.

Please contact Denise Harris, director of CAPE, with questions.

Career and Professional Education (CAPE) is happy to announce the next round of training to become a Bengal Career Champion.

We know that faculty and staff members across campus are having career conversations with students every day. We want to assist you with those conversations when guiding students. As a Bengal Career Champion, you’ll become more familiar with career resources to help keep your students on track and focused on their careers, as well as learn tips to have more productive career conversations.

Current Bengal Career Champions tell us that as a result of the training program, they feel more prepared and more confident guiding students to future career success, as well as referring students to CAPE. They also recommend this training to colleagues.

The next training will take place Tuesday and Thursday, May 28 and 30, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Attendance at both sessions is required. To reserve your spot for this in-person training, please RSVP no later than Friday, May 24. Please contact CAPE with any questions. We look forward to your participation!

The interim dean of the School of Arts and Sciences has forwarded a recommendation to move the master of science degree program and graduate certificate program in data science and analytics to the Mathematics Department and to dissolve the Data Science and Analytics Interdisciplinary Unit. This move will allow the programs to be run within a typical department administrative structure and allow interested faculty members an opportunity to provide service to the programs through the department’s curriculum committee. This change is recommended to become effective July 1, 2024.

I approve the proposal to move the master of science degree and graduate certificate programs in data science and analytics to the Mathematics Department and to dissolve the Data Science and Analytics Interdisciplinary Unit. This move will allow the programs to be run within a typical department administrative structure and allow interested faculty members an opportunity to provide service to the programs through the department’s curriculum committee. This change is effective July 1, 2024, and should be reflected in official documents. The School of Arts and Sciences dean’s office will work with offices across campus to ensure a smooth transition.

The dean of the School of Education has forwarded a recommendation to move the Higher Education Administration Department from the School of the Professions to the School of Education. The M.S. degree program in higher education and student affairs administration originated in the School of Education. This move creates opportunities to explore course overlap, mission similarity, and population synergies with other programs in the School of Education. This change is recommended to become effective July 1, 2024.

I approve the proposal to move the Higher Education Administration Department from the School of the Professions to the School of Education. The master of science degree program in higher education and student affairs administration originated in the School of Education. This move creates opportunities to explore course overlap, mission similarity, and population synergies with other programs in School of Education. This change is effective July 1, 2024, and should be reflected in official documents. The School of Education dean’s office will work with offices across campus to ensure a smooth transition.