Buffalo State University Celebrates Academic Convocation September 19

Thirteen Buffalo State faculty and staff members will be recognized with President’s and Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence for their extraordinary efforts on behalf of the university, the State University of New York, and the greater community during Academic Convocation on Thursday, September 19, at 12:15 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Rockwell Hall.

Interim President Bonita R. Durand, Ph.D., will offer congratulatory remarks at the ceremony, while Gerard J. Puccio, Ph.D., SUNY distinguished professor of creativity and change leadership, will present the Convocation Address.

The ceremony also recognizes the significant awards and major grants of faculty and staff members and welcomes all new employees to campus. The entire campus community is invited to participate in this annual event.

SUNY CHANCELLOR’S AWARDS

SUNY Chancellor’s Awards for Excellence provide systemwide recognition of consistently superior professional achievement. These awards underscore SUNY’s commitment to sustaining intellectual vibrancy, advancing the boundaries of knowledge, providing the highest quality of instruction, and serving the public good.

SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service
Susan E. Rubino, B.S.

Susan Rubino, administrative assistant 2 in the School of Education, is known as the linchpin in connecting the school’s dean with faculty and staff. Her exemplary organizational skills and attention to detail frame her immeasurable influence and character. In her department, she is known at the go-to person for all questions. With great compassion, she welcomes any obstacles that may arise in the department, swiftly pursuing information needed for a solution and presenting it clearly for others’ ability to proceed.

Rubino radiates positive energy. The Dean’s Office is the place where problems are brought that cannot be solved at the departmental levels. Rubino is the first line of authority to address problems. She works toward solutions before seeking intervention from the dean. She is always equipped to take on additional tasks that may overwhelm another. She is viewed as a source of support and will frequently lend support and provide valuable feedback in an optimistic and professional manner. She often arrives early to guarantee a pristinely inviting environment, welcoming all visitors, and ensuring a positive experience.

Rubino is a master of data sets and spreadsheets that inform and help the dean track and identify areas of concern as well as monitor expenses and oversee multiple funding streams with extreme accuracy. Serving as event planner, caterer, and communicator for events involving the Teacher Education Unit, external school partners, and student groups, she is irreplaceable in the planning and coordination of events. Her efficiency is demonstrated in her handling of the School of Education’s budgets and personnel paperwork, and she plays a key role in promoting inclusivity and affordability for all students interested in participating in academic and professional development activities. Her attention to detail is instrumental in the distribution of limited funds through an effective and transparent process. Accountable for managing agendas in the School of Education Dean’s Office, she is responsible for articulating all minutes, facilitating smooth communication and collaboration among stakeholders, including program leaders, campus administrative offices, and national and international institutions and partners. Rubino’s consistency expresses professional acumen on all business and personnel systems of the university, thus assuring timely and accurate completion of all required documents.

Rubino shines in every aspect of her knowledge, output, and personal interactions. Her fullest effort, attention, and care are evident in each task she undertakes, consistently yielding successful outcomes. Her willingness to actively assist in duties that go far beyond her responsibilities make her an invaluable asset to the School of Education’s team.

Nominator: Wendy A. Paterson, Ph.D., Dean, School of Education

SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Adjunct Teaching
Eric S. Nagel, M.B.A.

Eric Nagel, lecturer of computer information systems, demonstrates a knack for teaching by using his real-world experiences and a hands-on approach to guide students into professional environments after graduation. His ability to connect with individuals, as well as his seasoned insights, encourage a successful outcome for those who take his courses.

Nagel has a vast skill set gained through his prolific 25-year career as a professional programmer. His wealth of experience contributes to his teaching methodology, allowing him to stand out as a teaching model and content expert with strong student-centered teaching abilities. He is known for his passion for seeing his students grow and develop, using varied instructional strategies. He encourages and inspires students through adaptation of his lessons in order to suit the needs, interests, and challenges of each of his classes—thereby equipping them with contemporary programming techniques that are currently in high demand. Nagel prioritizes the preparation of students to enter the professional world, with assignments such as creating their own websites, on which they are encouraged to exhibit personal portfolios and résumés, showcasing the knowledge acquired in their college careers. This stands as a testament to the practical application of their education.

Nagel is revered by students and staff. This is supported by several highly supportive student testimonials, comments, and course evaluation forms, as well as multiple faculty letters. Students say he “fosters a nurturing and inclusive learning environment,” that he goes beyond expectations in terms of helping them understand the material, and that he is “always well organized, prepared, and dedicated to helping every student learn.” In turn, Nagel has provided valuable feedback and encouragement on CIS curriculum development and course offerings as well as GenCyber, a teaching training program in cybersecurity. He has made notable contributions toward building relationships between students and the local business community by recruiting other computer information system professionals for the CIS Internship Program Speaker Series. Nagel has also served as a judge for the Google grant-funded annual Computer Science for High Schools (CS4HS) competition on campus, which offers young aspiring programmers valuable advice and encouragement.

Nagel’s authentic approach to teaching fosters an environment in which classroom work is given tangible application. By creating accommodations for eager learners, he creates a welcoming and accepting environment. His personable approach to the teacher-student relationships formed in his classes encourages the highest level of professional success for his students.

Nominator: Ramona R. Santa Maria, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Computer Information Systems

SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Faculty Service
Kevin K. Williams, Ph.D.

Kevin Williams, associate professor of geosciences, has demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to both the academic community and the broader SUNY system. Serving the university’s community by participating on multiple committees and ad-hoc groups, as well as the College Senate, Williams is a leader in service to his professional community.

Williams’s service extends seamlessly across various realms. In his role as director of the Whitworth Ferguson Planetarium, he has transformed what was once a campus hidden gem into a signature landmark in the Western New York community. Through his local media contacts, he works vigorously to promote Buffalo State, coordinating class visits with Buffalo State colleagues, which promote cross-disciplinary synergies, as well as planetarium events that are open to the public. Recently, Williams co-chaired and hosted the Great Lakes Planetarium Society Conference, furthering the group’s collective work using the planetarium as an instructional resource. This past spring, Williams planned numerous events showcasing the total solar eclipse that took place on April 8, 2024. As it was well known that the path of totality passed directly over campus, Buffalo State declared 2024 as the “Year of the Eclipse” on campus under Dr. Williams’s leadership, hosting numerous educational events for the public.

Williams has notably served in the College Senate for 12 years and assumed the role of the inaugural speaker of the School of Arts and Sciences, showcasing his leadership and commitment to the institution. In addition to these invaluable contributions, he teaches a full schedule of courses each semester with a regular team of undergraduate research and mentored students. For each task, Williams provides the greatest attention to detail, effort, and care—leaving no questions unanswered. He is an outstanding and reliable resource to the campus, community, and SUNY.

Williams’s qualifications extend far beyond the norm, as evidenced by his career trajectory. It becomes obvious that considering him merely for his service is a significant understatement. He truly embodies the spirit of Buffalo State through his unwavering dedication to students and SUNY through every aspect of his professional life. His tireless work ethic and comprehensive commitment to service are only a fraction of what makes him exceptional. Buffalo State is fortunate to have him as a colleague, professor, mentor, role model, group member, and director without boundaries of department, school, or campus.

Nominator: Gary S. Solar, Chair and Professor, Geosciences

SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service
Kimberly J. Jackson, Ed.D.

Kimberly Jackson, deputy director of commencement operations and ceremonial events in Academic Affairs, is a longstanding contributor within the university’s Academic Affairs division, but her impact at Buffalo State extends across the campus community through a variety of efforts and service. Her history of commitment, creative initiative, and dedication to the university and its students is exemplary. 

 Jackson has demonstrated great commitment to excellence and an unwavering dedication to the multidisciplinary studies graduate program for more than 16 years. She created new student learning outcomes (SLOs) and implemented a plan to assess the SLOs. She also initiated and accomplished the launch of a completely new, recruitment-focused multidisciplinary studies program website, and created numerous multidisciplinary studies program materials. Jackson consistently goes above and beyond to make students feel welcomed, valued, and appreciated. Under her leadership, the experiences of students and faculty members associated with the multidisciplinary studies degree program have been enhanced immensely, according to colleagues.

Until recently, Jackson’s duties were situated in the former Graduate School, where she served in various roles, including director, program coordinator, and assistant dean. Excelling in each role, she always went beyond her basic professional obligation to provide leadership in the areas of student recruitment, admissions, student advisement, faculty recruitment (including building and maintaining effective collaborations with academic departments and programs across disciplines), curriculum/course development, and program policy development and revision. She is also well known for her willingness to help when there is a need. Her co-workers have noted that Jackson demonstrated what it means to be flexible and committed, functioning in more than one capacity to fill in for multiple positions in a crunch. Her team also noted that she is always prepared to meet new challenges and has never hesitated to train, pitch in, or clarify procedures and programs so that quality service can be delivered.

 Jackson’s excellence in leadership and project management skills are evident in her new role as deputy director of commencement operations. Her tireless efforts include redesigning and reimagining graduation day on campus, dividing the ceremonies according to academic schools, and working with a dedicated team to choreograph three graduation ceremonies in a single day. Her leadership skills, approachable manner, exceptional communication skills, and institutional knowledge have all been on display at these graduation ceremonies. Colleagues have expressed how proud they are to be part of an institution that provides such an organized, inspirational, and beautiful graduation day to honor students and their families.

 Jackson’s involvement in campus and community service further demonstrates her character and commitment. She has always been an avid spokesperson for the Buffalo State student, the campus community, and her profession. She has extended herself in many ways throughout her time at Buffalo State, has always led by example, and remained committed to bettering the campus community. She is a consummate professional and an academic role model whose credentials, work ethic, energy, and vision for Buffalo State University make her an invaluable asset to the institution.

Nominator: Amitra A. Wall, Ph.D., Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship and Creative Activities
Guanqiu Qi, Ph.D.

Guanqiu Qi, associate professor of computer information systems, is a prolific and versatile scholar in the computer science field. Exemplifying his innovative skills, Qi has developed an outstanding research program that advances cutting-edge neural network algorithms and demonstrates remarkable efficacy in enhancing real-world applications.

Since joining Buffalo State in 2019, Qi has demonstrated his prolific output in his publication of 51 peer-reviewed journal articles, 10 conference papers, and the authorship of a textbook, which has been successfully incorporated into the CIS 315: Computer Organization class offered by the CIS Department. At the core of Qi’s research is his major area of interest: the application of novel neural network algorithms to practical fields. His work spans diverse applications, including image processing and sharpening person identification, chemical composition analysis, and power structure optimization. Qi’s scholarly achievements are reflected in his many publications in the most prestigious refereed journals across various computer science domains, including Transactions on Information Forensics and Security, Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, and Sensors Journal (IEEE journals), Journal of Imaging, Infrared Physics & Technology, and the International Journal of Simulation and Process Modelling. His research encompasses deep learning, machine learning, image processing, image segmentation, fault diagnosis, drug target interaction predication, big data, cloud computing, and software engineering. With more than 100 journal and conference papers and coauthorship of three books, Qi has consistently displayed a commitment to scholarly excellence. His research journals and other writings have been highly regarded within the computer science field. According to Google Scholar, Qi’s work has more than 2,900 citations. Two of his papers have over 200 citations each, and two others have over 100 citations each.

Qi is noted for his high level of self-motivation and unwavering eagerness to tackle modern cutting-edge research problems critical to computer science. As a promising young researcher, he exhibits great potential and is an asset to the academic community. His attention to detail is meticulous, as he articulates his work thoroughly and clearly through a step-by-step process to independently analyze and solve problems.

Qi’s exceptional scholarly achievements, dedication to innovative research, and significant contributions to the field are remarkable accomplishments. His outstanding work in computer science research is inspiring to many young researchers. Whether searching for sophisticated proof or working through a programming scenario, Qi consistently demonstrates his capability of approaching and tackling problems in a systematic, creative, and efficient way.

Nominator: Stephen E. Gareau, Ph.D., Chair and Professor, Computer Information Systems

SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching
Timothy J. Bryant, Ph.D.

Timothy Bryant, associate professor of English, has served as an inspirational teacher and dedicated mentor to Buffalo State students since joining the Buffalo State faculty in 2011. Colleagues and students alike echo the same praise for Bryant’s creativity in his course design, his use of multimodal teaching strategies, and his compassion and support for students in both their academic and personal growth and development.

Bryant maintains an active research agenda. He has published five articles and book chapters and has two manuscripts in progress. He publishes on a variety of topics in varied publications, so his research reaches a wide audience. He actively participates in the discipline and has presented papers at 17 academic conferences, chaired several conference sessions, and given seven invited lectures. He also is active in faculty service both in his home department of English and across campus. He has served on 11 different English Department committees, including two as chair. He has served two terms on the College Senate and has served on three Senate committees.

Over the course of his career at Buffalo State, Bryant has taught an extraordinary 27 different courses. A versatile instructor who responds to student interests and department needs, he expanded his expertise beyond American literature and now teaches classes in film studies and creative writing. He excels at teaching both in person and online, continuing to deliver exceptional teaching throughout the recent pandemic. Students seek out his courses because he delivers his course content in interesting ways that intrigues students while also encouraging their engagement and building critical thinking skills. He engages students by having them pose as historical figures engaged in crucial debates of the time. This approach helps students connect to the people and ideas of the past while also helping them see the connections to the ongoing debates in society today. He develops creative assignments that can be adapted to students’ interests and strengths. These assignments help him learn more about individual students and support them as they face academic and personal challenges. Students see Bryant as an instructor who will challenge them but also offer empathy and flexibility in the classroom. Creating a classroom environment that maintains rigor while sustaining individual student needs can be a challenge for instructors, but he manages this with grace and humanity.

Bryant is an exemplary teacher and colleague. His dedication to the craft of teaching and his caring regard for all his students shine through in everything he does.

Nominator: Lisa Berglund, Ph.D., Chair and Professor, English Department

SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching
Angela L. Patti, Ph.D.

Angela Patti, professor of exceptional education, has consistently showcased unwavering commitment, innovative initiatives, and profound dedication not only to Buffalo State and its students but also to the broader community that the university serves. Through her effective and versatile teaching approaches and continuous outreach initiatives, she has greatly enhanced the community and contributes meaningfully to the field of education.

Known for her versatility in topics and levels taught, Patti readily demonstrates ingenuity by expanding and reframing her classes and teaching activities. She has prepared and taught 13 different courses during her time at Buffalo State. Included in that list are both undergraduate and graduate courses, those with field hours, and others she helped design collaboratively with other departments. She has been a highly effective teacher on a consistent basis, as noted in her remarkable course evaluations and frequent and strong peer reviews. She has designed and implemented high-quality instruction and engaged in a variety of initiatives to promote students’ development, as teachers and as individuals. Patti is commendable for her hands-on approach and incorporation of practical learning experiences across all courses she instructs. By integrating genuine learning tasks and assessments into each aspect of the curriculum, she is able to achieve high levels of understanding.

Patti has contributed to numerous efforts to improve programs within the School of Education and her department. Because of the integral role she played as chair of the department’s curriculum committee, Patti and her colleagues were able to collaborate in creative efforts to simultaneously meet the needs of students with, or at-risk for, disabilities in inclusive settings, while also allowing candidates to learn from both a special educator and a general educator about how to teach literacy. This is an excellent model of a typical multitiered support system in public schools today. In addition to this service, Dr. Patti’s scholarly work has contributed to the education field beyond her own classroom. She has been awarded several teaching fellowships over the past 10 years, including an Anne Frank Fellowship in 2013, a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Fellowship in 2015, and an Applied Learning Fellowship in 2017. Each of these resulted in the analysis of her teaching and the development and implementation of new methods and materials. She was honored with the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2017.

Faculty and students alike describe Patti as a “beloved teacher who effectively balances very high standards and expectations for her students while being compassionate and supportive.” She is described as organized and plan-driven, and she is adept at diminishing the anticipatory anxiety of her students in the difficult subjects she covers. She is the epitome of academic professionalism in her pursuit of professional development and her reflective practice.

Nominator: Lisa A. Rafferty, Ph.D., Professor, Exceptional Education Department

BUFFALO STATE PRESIDENT’S AWARDS

Buffalo State President’s Awards recognize excellence among faculty and staff members who distinguished themselves in work performed on behalf of the college.

President’s Award for Excellence in Service to the University
Leasa N. Rochester-Mills, M.Ed.

Leasa Rochester-Mills, director of the Academic Standards Office, is the go-to resource on campus for student-related polices. Reporting to the associate provost and working closely with the associate deans and department chairs of each school, she shares expertise concerning Buffalo State policies and procedures with various campus constituents, including administrators, faculty, staff, and students. She has performed superbly in her assigned duties and continually makes extraordinary efforts in service to the university. She has demonstrated flexibility and a willingness to adjust to changing institutional needs, creative ideas, and suggestions for new and different ways for addressing work tasks. A natural problem solver and relationship builder, she works with the goal of doing what is best for students whether working alongside colleagues on committees or leading teams and initiatives.

As chair of the Academic Petitions, Dismissal Appeals, SAP Appeals, and Academic Misconduct committees, Rochester-Mills has forged strong working relationships with colleagues from all areas of the university, regularly collaborating with associate deans and department chairs to find ways to improve procedures and update policies to strengthen student success and retention. Since she was appointed director, her responsibilities have expanded to include the academic standing review for graduate students, further streamlining the spring and fall probation and dismissal processes. When University College was dissolved in 2017, Rochester-Mills inherited the learning communities and first-year courses and worked collaboratively with constituents across campus on developing communities for incoming students.

Rochester-Mills’s door is always open, and she makes herself readily available to both students and families. She uses her lived experiences as a parent, educator, and advisor to provide compassionate and straightforward advice to those who often struggle personally and academically. She further uses her expertise to connect students with the university’s network of support resources to ensure that their concerns are properly addressed. The dedication and enthusiasm she demonstrates each day is inspiring. She is generous with her time, freely shares her expertise, and has contributed to co-workers’ success through clear communication, honest feedback, and encouraging a workplace culture of self-direction.

In addition, she has taken an active role in the leadership of United University Professions (UUP) at the local level as a professional staff delegate, and at the statewide level as a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee (known as the Affirmative Action Committee during Rochester-Mills’s service). At UUP training sessions, she is an engaged participant, bringing original and exciting ideas to the table. She worked to fashion the earliest “Take Your Daughter (or Son) to Work” day events on campus, incorporating both fun and meaningful learning opportunities for children during that celebratory event. She has also been involved in campus governance, serving on and chairing various College Senate committees and making meaningful contributions in important policy areas. Rochester-Mills’s long and consistent record of significant service reflects her commitment to her colleagues and the students the university serves.

Nominator: Amitra A. Wall, Ph.D., Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

President’s Award for Excellence in Librarianship
Ken Fujiuchi, M.L.S.

Ken Fujiuchi, head of information commons in E. H. Butler Library, has far exceeded the normal trajectory in his professional field. In addition to his expansive work history from an entry-level, tenure-track academic librarian to the head of one of the most vital departments in the library, he also has a demonstrable record of service and scholarship that shows his commitment to the campus, the profession, and the general public. While some librarians specialize on either the public services or the technical services side of the library, Fujiuchi is exceptional at both. He is highly regarded for his character, leadership, and commitment to others.

As the emerging technologies librarian, Fujiuchi brought an exciting, innovative energy to the services and technologies within the library. Brimming with ideas and a willingness to try new things, he was sought out by library administrators and colleagues for guidance, reasoning, and professional expertise that oftentimes would become a major strategic directive, innovative library project, technology experiment, or service revision. One major years-long library development envisioned by Fujiuchi was to adopt and incorporate the Springshare suite of technologies into Buffalo State’s repertoire. This centralized the library’s ability to do many things in one streamlined, cost-conscious package, including an easy-to-use technology for librarians to create and manage research guides; a statistical record-keeping tool used to track reference transactions; and a system connecting online students with librarians and research assistance through video conferencing, instant messaging, email, and text messaging. He also helped the library transition to an information commons model of service and, more recently, to the Academic Commons. While representing the voice of the library during these transitions and subsequent renovations, he struck up valuable partnerships with other campus units, some of which moved into Academic Commons.

Fujiuchi’s influence on campus reaches far beyond the library. With an interest in campus governance, he first ran for and won an at-large College Senate seat. He also served as a library senator before deciding to run for chair of the College Senate, which he also won, becoming the first librarian in the history of Butler Library to serve as Senate chair. He has also served important liaison, advisory, and leadership roles in the university’s information technology area. His commitment to student learning and success is paramount to his values, as evidenced by his teaching of LIB 100: Introduction to Library Research Methods and LIB 300: Advanced Library Research Methods courses. He has also amassed many presentations, workshops, and publications in higher education, technology, and teaching and learning. He has presented on campus, locally, and regionally and at the state, national, and even international levels.

Locally, he has served on committees through the WNY Library Resources Council to promote virtual library services and help high school students transition to college. At the state level, the SUNY Librarians Association benefited from his chairing of its technology user group. He also serves on a SUNY FACT² task group for optimizing AI in higher education.

Nominators: Charles F. Lyons, M.S., Director, E. H. Butler Library; and Eugene J. Harvey, M.L.S., Assessment/Reference Librarian, E. H. Butler Library

President’s Award for Excellence in Academic Advisement
Sammy N. Naji, M.S.

Sammy Naji, assistant director of transfer advising in Enrollment Management, is an outstanding advisor who exceeds expectations in all assigned duties. His primary responsibilities include providing one-on-one and group advisement to transfer students, where he explains how to read Degree Works and Roadmaps for all academic programs; provides instructions on how to register using Banner; and makes appropriate referrals to such campus resources as Academic Standards, Financial Aid, the Weigel Health Center, and Milligan’s Food Pantry. In addition, he has incorporated his expertise in advisement to the classroom while teaching UNC 100: Mastering the Academic Environment.

Naji has mastered the art of engagement with students while also conveying academic policies with culturally inclusive approaches that are receptive to them. His collegial spirit with collaborative efforts highlights his ability to motivate and bring about consensus with others. He is a well-respected colleague who continues to put student success at the forefront of his work each day on campus. He consistently demonstrates a level of commitment, expertise, and passion for guiding students toward meeting their academic and career goals. He has exhibited a remarkable ability to connect with students on an individual level, taking the time to understand their academic goals, personal aspirations, and unique challenges. In addition, he always goes above and beyond to provide tailored guidance, helping students navigate their academic journey with confidence and purpose.

One of his many strengths is his commitment to staying current with the university’s academic 

policies and procedures, various program requirements, and the ever-evolving trends of higher education. This knowledge, along with his demonstrated interest in the success of Buffalo State University students, has resulted in his becoming a trusted resource for both students and colleagues alike. He has demonstrated exceptional organizational and communication skills by keeping students well informed about program changes, deadlines, and available resources, ensuring that they are equipped to make informed decisions about their academic paths. He collaborates effectively with academic departments, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment for the benefit of all students and consistently exhibits a warm and approachable demeanor, creating a comfortable space for students to discuss their concerns and seek guidance.

He provides transfer students with exemplary advisement and supports their onboarding to the university with a welcoming personality and a warm smile that students appreciate as their first point of contact here. He is committed to this special population of students who need an elevated level of academic and social supports as they become members of the campus community. He consistently seeks ways to improve the onboarding process for transfer students to make a seamless transition to Buffalo State. Naji is competent and skilled in his craft and solves complex problems with grace and dignity. He is an emerging leader on campus who genuinely enjoys his role and has a passion for working with students. His caring attitude toward his advisees and behavior to build strong relationships with them are his greatest strengths.

Nominator: Holly V. Quicksey, Ph.D., Director of Transfer Advising, Enrollment Management

President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching
Margaret M. Herb, Ph.D.

Margaret “Maggie” Herb, associate professor of English, is devoted to students’ professional and academic growth, committed to intentional teaching practices, and dedicated to being an indelible influence on and irreplaceable mentor to her tutors and students.

Herb’s teaching responsibilities in the English Department include one graduate-level course in the English education program (ENG 692: Teaching Writing) and an undergraduate peer tutoring course (ENG 307: Peer Tutoring). She teaches the peer tutoring course in spring semesters and uses the course to fully prepare tutors to work in the Writing Center. Her teaching evaluations are outstanding, and there are many examples of students achieving greater academic success after visiting the Writing Center. Herb’s performance in the classroom, her student course surveys, and her work with Writing Center tutors provide ample evidence of highly successful pedagogy.

She continually incorporates new pedagogy and scholarship into her classes. She creates an open and welcoming intellectual space that embraces diverse teaching perspectives, and she models good teaching practices that students take to their own classrooms. Students have noted her use of multimodal pedagogies, including lecture, directed discussion, general discussion, and small-group activities, all of which have led to robust engagement by the students with sometimes challenging material. Many of her students, having launched their own careers as teachers and tutors, are grateful for concrete, practical lessons that they learned in Herb’s courses. Another example of Herb’s outstanding mentorship is her work as a coauthor with two Buffalo State student tutors in the forthcoming article “A Story of Writing Center Labor in a Violent Age.”

Herb also serves as the director of the Buffalo State Writing Center. In this position, she positively influences dozens of students each semester. The community that she creates at the Writing Center extends beyond the walls of its location in E. H. Butler Library to the many Buffalo State alumni who have taken what they learned from her and applied it to their own teaching. Herb trains and supports both peer and professional tutors every day. These responsibilities have allowed her to build a close-knit community of tutors at the Writing Center, and the students who come to the Writing Center for help respond to the welcoming spirit. Of note is Herb’s exceptional handling of the Writing Center during the pandemic. Under normal circumstances, the role of director requires significant administrative paperwork; assessment, program review, and data analysis; recruitment and management of full-time staff and student tutors; outreach to faculty and advisors; tutor training and mentoring; and collaboration with other student support programs. When the university quickly switched to distance learning during the pandemic, Herb efficiently pivoted to a fully online tutoring schedule in just two weeks. She immediately trained 15 tutors to conduct virtual tutoring sessions, undertook ongoing research into online tutoring practices, and coped with technological issues. Because of Herb’s leadership, the Writing Center emerged from the pandemic as a stronger, more flexible tutoring resource, guiding and nurturing students through both in-person and remote tutoring activities.

Nominator: Lisa Berglund, Ph.D., Chair and Professor, English Department

President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching
Jennifer M. Reichenberg, Ph.D.

Jennifer Reichenberg, assistant professor in the Elementary Education, Literacy, and Educational Leadership Department, joined the faculty at Buffalo State in 2020 and quickly established a high profile as a leader in literacy education. She teaches complex critical literacy courses at both the graduate and undergraduate levels that are designed to prepare students to teach reading and the other language arts in elementary school classrooms. The courses require a deep understanding of the content of the field, the passion to nurture emerging teachers, and the ability to collaborate with school partners to provide a robust synergy between theory and practice. Through her well-informed, collaborative, and innovative teaching, Reichenberg has made an important difference in the preparation of teachers at Buffalo State. She builds relationships with her students and mentors them into becoming mentors for others. She has proved herself to be a consistently enthusiastic and highly skilled teacher, and erudite scholar, and an active and innovative public servant.

Reichenberg’s teaching at Buffalo State drives her scholarly research. She is currently the principal investigator on several research projects related to innovations in teaching. One project investigates teacher candidates’ implementation of culturally responsive and sustaining approaches during service learning; another looks at supporting teacher candidates’ reflective development. She is also researching high-quality mentoring experiences for teacher candidates as well as the impact of the learning community on teacher candidate persistence in the program and in the field of education. She has published widely on various topics in her field of study and has numerous publications in development.

In addition to publication, she disseminates her research on teaching and learning at local, state, and national conferences. She presented research on co-teaching in 2022 and research on professional development through book clubs in 2023, both at the annual conference of the National Association of Professional Development Schools (now the National Association for School-University Partnerships). Additional research presentations include those at the annual conferences of the Literacy Research Association, the New York Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, the New York State Reading Association, and the Buffalo State Professional Development Schools Consortium. She has served as a reviewer for the Literacy Research Association’s Student Outstanding Research Award since 2020 and is a reviewer for several journals. She is a member of the New York State Reading Association, the Niagara Frontier Reading Council, the International Literacy Association, and the National Association for School-University Partnerships.

Reichenberg brings her passion for serving students to the larger campus community in a variety of ways. She has volunteered as a site coordinator for Bengals Dare to Care Day and served as co-adviser for the Gamma Mu chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, the international honor society for educators. She regularly volunteers at certification exam workshops, Professional Development Schools (PDS) orientations, open houses, Teacher Tailgates, commencements, and convocations. She also serves as co-coordinator of Global Literacy Engagement at Buffalo State, which includes co-facilitating the group of instructors who teach Introduction to Literacy and its service-learning component, the Global Book Hour.

Nominator: Julie J. Henry, Ph.D., Chair and Professor, Elementary Education, Literacy, and Educational Leadership

President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching
Donald A. Schmitter M.S.Ed.

Donald Schmitter, lecturer of hospitality and tourism, has demonstrated a commitment to excellence at Buffalo State for more than 23 years. In addition to teaching every culinary course offered by the department during that period, he has overseen the university’s state-of-the-art culinary facilities, sought out creative spaces for events, pursued professional development opportunities, guided students in service-oriented activities and study-abroad tours, and worked directly with industry professionals on projects that have had long-term benefits for student knowledge and retention.

Schmitter is eager to teach students and support their career aspirations. His teaching effectiveness is evidenced by superior course evaluations. Students note his extraordinary organizational skills that require careful planning of lab activities, procurement of food supplies, and distribution of materials to execute culinary lab experiences for up to 20 students at a time. He is lauded for encouraging student participation in class and providing students with clear and detailed instructions for lessons, which are followed by a thoughtful critique of students’ lab performance. He exhibits a mastery of lab equipment, and he effectively deploys audio and visual tools to demonstrate lessons in food preparation, cooking, and presentation. His teaching methods consistently connect weekly lessons to student learning outcomes and assessment. He serves as the advisor for students with a culinary concentration and provides honest feedback while demonstrating genuine concern for each individual student’s best interest. His teaching style is professional and innovative.

He finds a wide array of methods to engage students and has graduated students who transition easily into their careers. He serves as coordinator of the culinary lab in Caudell Hall, an elected member of the Campus House Club Inc. board of directors, and leader of the department’s study-abroad program. As the culinary lab coordinator, he oversaw all development and equipment purchases of commercial and small wares for the new state-of-the-art lab to enhance student culinary experiences. He assisted with study-abroad tours to Italy, France, Ireland, and Greece and assumed the tour group leader role in 2022, successfully leading recent trips to Germany and Vietnam.

Beyond campus, Schmitter serves as treasurer for the Western New York chapter of the American Culinary Federation. He is a role model for giving back to the community. As an avid supporter of Crisis Services, he serves as a planning board member of its annual “Men Who Cook” event. He leads students in community service at this high-profile event, showcasing their planning, production, and cooking skills at the fundraiser. He has also partnered with Kids Escaping Drugs and Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center on charitable endeavors. In addition, his professional chef performances have been featured as the Buffalo State Foundation’s premier annual events, including Bengala and the Golf and Tennis Scholarship Classic.

Nominator: Kathleen M. O’Brien, M.Ed., Chair and Lecturer, Hospitality and Tourism