From the President
Posted: Thursday, December 10, 20202020-2021 Commencement Committee
I am pleased to announce the membership of the 2020–2021 Buffalo State College Commencement Committee:
Chair: Jane Cushman, Chair and Associate Professor, Mathematics Department
Vice Chair: Kathleen O’Brien, Chair and Lecturer, Hospitality and Tourism Department
Immediate Past Chair: Theresa Janczak, Associate Professor, Exceptional Education Department
Secretary: Catherine Cook, Administrative Assistant 2, Academic Affairs
Patricia Alessandra, Commencement Director for Academics, Academic Affairs
Aaron Daniel Annas, Director of Television and Film Arts Program, Communication Department
Pixita del Prado Hill, Professor, Elementary Education, Literacy, and Educational Leadership Department
Victoria Furby, Chair and Associate Professor, Music Department
Abdollah Hajikandi, Assistant Director of Academic Services, Educational Opportunity Program
Thomas Koller, Officer in Charge, Intercollegiate Athletics
Margaret “Marnie” Letzelter, Executive Assistant to the Dean, Graduate School
Michael Lewis, Director, Events Management Office
Amy McMillan, Director, Muriel A. Howard Honors Program
Nyandusi Nyachae, Lecturer, Social and Psychological Foundations of Education Department
Crystal Rodriguez-Dabney, Chief of Staff, President’s Office; Chief Diversity Officer
Ramona Santa Maria, Associate Professor, Computer Information Systems Department
Marcus Watson, Assistant Professor, Individualized Studies and Africana Studies Program
Rita Zientek, Interim Dean, School of the Professions
The Commencement Committee is responsible for advising the president, the provost, and other appropriate college administrators on matters pertaining to Commencement; planning and implementing Commencement ceremonies and related events; submitting proposed actions and changes of a substantive nature to the president for his or her consideration; disseminating information about Commencement throughout the institution to appropriate departments and other interested constituents; and making recommendations to the president for Commencement speakers, if necessary. Members of the committee serve as institutional advocates and champions for Commencement activities.
