The spring 2023 Michael and Nancy Chicola International Professional Development Schools (IPDS) Siena Student Teaching cohort invites you to follow its international experiences this semester through their individual blogs.

Led by Kerry Renzoni, chair and associate professor of music education, three teacher candidates traveled to Italy at the beginning of March to complete their second student teaching placements at the International School of Siena. The undergraduate students—Grant Asklar, music education; Marita Miller, exceptional education; and Connor Tait, English education—will return to Buffalo at the end of May.

Until then, they are posting teaching and traveling reflections and photographs from their time in Siena. They would love to hear from faculty and staff members, so please take a moment leave a comment on their blog while you are enjoying their stories!

Please join us for the workshop "Getting 'In-Sync' with Asynchronous Library Research Instruction" on Tuesday, April 25, at 12:15 p.m. in Butler Library 318 (and online). We will focus on using asynchronous library research instruction for your online and in-person courses. Asynchronous learning modules are currently being used by Buffalo State faculty members to assist students in using library electronic resources, citation and formatting, and other research concepts. Using tutorial and video editing software, Butler Library can assist your students with introductory library skills and finding the right resources for that big project. Learn about the first year of this program and how we can work with you. 

Please register through the Workshop Registration System. This event is being offered in person and synchronously online.

Please join the Biology Department and the Great Lakes Center for the seminar "Using Past Lake Sturgeon Sightings in the Upper Niagara River to Inform Current Habitat Characterization," presented by Buffalo State alumna Jo Johnson, today, April 24, at 3:00 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center 216. Ms. Johnson obtained her B.A. in biology in 2015 and her M.A. in biology in 2017 from Buffalo State. Currently, she works for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, conducting fisheries population assessment surveys and mapping habitat characteristics of the Niagara river using multi-beam and side-scan sonars to develop a habitat suitability index model for lake sturgeon. Attendees are welcome to arrive at 2:30 p.m. to enjoy coffee and cookies before the seminar begins.

Abstract
Spawning adult lake sturgeon are documented in the Buffalo Harbor, and although historically juvenile sturgeon have been observed throughout the upper Niagara River, recent sightings have been scarce. Ms. Johnson and her colleagues revisited angler accounts and scientific dive data from 1994 to 1999 regarding juvenile lake sturgeon and habitat observations in the upper Niagara to inform a contemporary study. Baited set lines and gill nets were deployed at historical sighting locations in spring and fall of 2021–2022; however, no fish were captured. They used a multi-beam echo sounder to collect side-scan imagery and bathymetric data for 460 hectares throughout the river, which will be integrated into a 2-D HEC-RAS model to derive bottom-depth flow estimates. Habitat is currently being characterized, and a habitat suitability index model will be developed to identify whether there is sufficient habitat available. These results will inform managers of the Great Lakes Area of Concern program, and determine whether or not habitat installation in the Niagara River is warranted to sustain early life stages of lake sturgeon. These findings are relevant for other management goals in the Niagara River, such as native mussel restoration.

Please join the Biology Department and the Great Lakes Center for the seminar "Using Past Lake Sturgeon Sightings in the Upper Niagara River to Inform Current Habitat Characterization," presented by Buffalo State alumna Jo Johnson, on Monday, April 24, at 3:00 p.m. in Bulger Communication Center 216. Ms. Johnson obtained her B.A. in biology in 2015 and her M.A. in biology in 2017 from Buffalo State. Currently, she works for the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, conducting fisheries population assessment surveys and mapping habitat characteristics of the Niagara river using multi-beam and side-scan sonars to develop a habitat suitability index model for lake sturgeon. Attendees are welcome to arrive at 2:30 p.m. to enjoy coffee and cookies before the seminar begins.

Abstract
Spawning adult lake sturgeon are documented in the Buffalo Harbor, and although historically juvenile sturgeon have been observed throughout the upper Niagara River, recent sightings have been scarce. Ms. Johnson and her colleagues revisited angler accounts and scientific dive data from 1994 to 1999 regarding juvenile lake sturgeon and habitat observations in the upper Niagara to inform a contemporary study. Baited set lines and gill nets were deployed at historical sighting locations in spring and fall of 2021–2022; however, no fish were captured. They used a multi-beam echo sounder to collect side-scan imagery and bathymetric data for 460 hectares throughout the river, which will be integrated into a 2-D HEC-RAS model to derive bottom-depth flow estimates. Habitat is currently being characterized, and a habitat suitability index model will be developed to identify whether there is sufficient habitat available. These results will inform managers of the Great Lakes Area of Concern program, and determine whether or not habitat installation in the Niagara River is warranted to sustain early life stages of lake sturgeon. These findings are relevant for other management goals in the Niagara River, such as native mussel restoration.

The Buffalo State Political Science and Public Administration Department closes its spring 2023 Public Service Lecture Series with a talk by Kaitlyn Marinelli, a criminal defense attorney with the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo Inc., on Wednesday, May 3, from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. in Caudell Hall 123. She will speak about the role of women as advocates in the public arena.

Ms. Marinelli holds a juris doctor from New England Law Boston (2017). She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science as well as minors in legal studies and history from SUNY Buffalo State University, cum laude, in 2014. She served as a member of the Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society, the Buffalo State Mock Trial Association (2011–2014), and the SUNY Model European Union Simulation (2013–2014).

Ms. Marinelli’s passion for criminal law began with her participation in the American Mock Trial Association while at SUNY Buffalo State. While in law school, she was an active member of the Criminal Justice Project, which pursues litigation, legislation, education, and policy reform to make the criminal justice system fairer for low-income individuals. She was involved in the Criminal Community Outreach Program (CCOP) and the Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) program. The CCOP program included teaching juvenile detainees trial skills and how to prepare for a criminal trial. Learning about the criminal justice process helped teach basic evidence and criminal procedure concepts. Ms. Marinelli also participated in the CORI initiative. Thousands of individuals in the Boston area carry criminal records, which can prevent them from obtaining employment, housing, and financial services. CORI assists individuals with sealing their criminal records. Ms. Marinelli was able to provide invaluable opportunities to clients for gaining better employment, obtaining housing, and positively progressing into society.

As a lifelong resident of Buffalo, Ms. Marinelli is dedicated to defending those in her community. She joined the Legal Aid Bureau in 2019 and is responsible for representing indigent people charged with offenses in the City of Buffalo. She works diligently to ensure that constitutional and legal rights for her clients are protected.

Please join the Buffalo State Political Science and Public Administration Department for the next talk in its spring 2023 Public Service Lecture Series, when Crystal Rodriguez-Dabney, deputy mayor of the City of Buffalo, will share her experiences and perspectives as a woman serving in the executive branch of local government on Wednesday, April 26, from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. in Caudell Hall 123.

Ms. Rodriguez-Dabney is a lifelong resident of Buffalo. She holds advanced certification in diversity and inclusion from Cornell University, and a master of laws and a juris doctor from the University at Buffalo School of Law. She earned her bachelor of arts in social sciences from California State University San Marcos. Before her appointment as deputy mayor, Ms. Rodriguez-Dabney served as the chief of staff to Katherine S. Conway-Turner, president of SUNY Buffalo State. She also served as chief diversity officer, where she oversaw Buffalo State's Equity and Campus Diversity Office.

Ms. Rodriguez-Dabney is a longstanding public servant and community volunteer who has also served on a number of boards, including Read to Succeed Buffalo, Buffalo Prep Alumni Council, and UB’s Law School Alumni Association as co-chair of its Social Justice Committee. She also served as a former chair of the Miss Borinquen Leadership Development Program and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.

Please join us for a guided meditation session, facilitated by Raquel Schmidt, associate dean of the School of Education, on Thursday, May 18, from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom.

Meditation is something most of us do whether we call it meditation or not. A few deep breaths in a hectic day. Shutting the door to close out the outside world while we recalibrate, problem solve, and figure out the best way to move forward in any challenging situation. This session is designed to show how we can all integrate meditative practices into our day-to-day lives without needing a soft cushion, a quiet room, or a dark corner. Meditation is in part about giving your active brain a break so it can focus on other priorities, including being still.

Please register through the Workshop Registration System.

Students are asked to schedule their seat reservations in the Student Accessibility Services Testing Center by Monday, May 8.

All exams that students wish to take in the Testing Center should be scheduled by this date, not just their final exams. Please note that the Testing Center does not host online exams.

The Testing Center defines a final exam as an exam that occurs during the designated Finals Week, or Critique and Evaluation Period (CEP), of Monday, May 15–Thursday, May 18.

The Testing Center will be open the extended hours of 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday during Finals Week (CEP). All exams must be completed by 6:00 p.m. on CEP days.

Students are asked to speak with their instructors and look at their syllabi for the correct day and time block assigned for their final exams. Students are made aware of the Registrar’s CEP schedule and are provided a link to the PDF.

Students are able to schedule their final exams only during the approved CEP time blocks provided through the Registrar's Office and will allow for completion of exams by 6:00 p.m. Those CEP time block start times are

• 7:40 a.m.
• 9:40 a.m.
• 11:40 a.m.
• 1:40 p.m.
• 3:40 p.m. (for students with 1.5 time extensions only)

Please note that CEP time blocks are one hour and 50 minutes in length; extension of a time block, even by 10 minutes, will severely limit the number of students we are able to accommodate on any given day. Your cooperation and understanding are appreciated.

Students schedule their final exam seat reservations in the Testing Center using the new ‘SCHEDULE MY FINAL EXAM’ form on the Testing Center web page. Students have received or will receive numerous email notifications about deadlines and how to schedule their final exams in the Testing Center.

Please email exams@buffalostate.edu with any questions or concerns.

Please join us for a guided meditation session, facilitated by Raquel Schmidt, associate dean of the School of Education, on Tuesday, April 25, from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom. 

Meditation is something most of us do whether we call it meditation or not. A few deep breaths in a hectic day. Shutting the door to close out the outside world while we recalibrate, problem solve, and figure out the best way to move forward in any challenging situation. This session is designed to show how we can all integrate meditative practices into our day-to-day lives without needing a soft cushion, a quiet room, or a dark corner. Meditation is in part about giving your active brain a break so it can focus on other priorities, including being still. 

Please register through the Workshop Registration System.

Student Accessibility Services and the Testing Center will close at 2:30 p.m. Friday, April 21, to celebrate the accomplishments of the students being inducted into the Delta Alpha Pi International Honor Society for students with disabilities. We will reopen on Monday, April 24, at 8:30 a.m.