Events and Offerings

We are pleased to announce an exciting lineup of events for all Academic Affairs staff.  Mark your calendars—you won't want to miss them!

Professional Development Opportunity

The Science of Teams, Moral Perspectives and Diversity

This dynamic and engaging workshop will focus on diversity of thought and the value in acknowledging the different approaches people have as to what is ethical. We will discuss the various perspectives on what terms like diversity, inclusion and equity mean to different people.

Attendees will also participate in a murder mystery activity that builds into a lesson about acknowledging diverse perspectives.

Whether you want to enhance your skills, gain new insights, or connect with like-minded professionals, this event is tailored to support your professional growth.

Date: Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025

Time: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Location: 101 Davis Hall

Presenter: James Lemoine, Associate Professor of Organization and Human Resources, School of Management

Bio: James Lemoine, PhD, is an associate professor of organization and human resources at the University at Buffalo School of Management. His research focuses on leadership, ethics, and creativity, and has been published in prestigious outlets such as the Harvard Business Review, the Academy of Management Annals, and the Journal of Applied Psychology. His research has been cited nearly 5,000 times in the management literature, placing him in the top 2% of researchers in the field, and he is an Associate Editor for three top academic journals. He has been quoted by CNN and frequently appears in magazines such as Forbes, Inc., Fast Company, and Entrepreneur. Lemoine is the recipient of the State University of New York Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching. He has given hundreds of speeches and presentations to business and non-profit leaders since joining UB, as well as his TEDx talk and his videos for the university's 52 Weeks of Leadership series. He spent six years as a member of the Board of Directors for the Greenleaf Center for Servant Leadership and is currently on the board of the Southern Management Association and the Friends of Night People, one of Buffalo's most prominent charities serving impoverished individuals. Before obtaining his PhD at Georgia Tech, he was an entrepreneur, consultant, and manager at companies such as AT&T.

The Big Show

The Big Show Hobby and Talent Extravaganza is a fun opportunity to showcase your hidden talents or favorite hobbies.—whether it's singing, dancing, painting, playing an instrument, sewing, woodworking, or anything else you're passionate about! The event will take place during the Academic Affairs End-of-Year Celebration.

Date: Dec. 17, 2024

Time: 9-9:30 a.m.

Location: University Club

VPAA Community Building Series

The VPAA Community Building Series provides Academic Affairs staff with an opportunity to connect, learn from each other and build bridges across VPAA units. 

Participation and support are instrumental in cultivating an inclusive and supportive community within Academic Affairs. Please check back later, as new dates may be added throughout the semester.

Student Wellness DEI Services and Initiatives

Identity and systemic factors contribute to overall student well-being. This presentation will provide an overview of how Student Wellness (Counseling Services, Health Promotion, and Student Health Services) takes this reality into account with their approach to fostering student health and well-being.

Date: Nov. 13, 2024

Time: 3-4 p.m.

Location: 7 Diefendorf Hall, south campus

Presenter: Sharon Mitchell, Senior Director, Counseling, Health & Wellness, Counseling Services

The Landscape of DEI in Higher Education

This presentation will include updates from the Office of Inclusive Excellence and an overview of current key issues related to DEI practices and policies in higher education.

Date: Feb. 12, 2025

Time: 12-1 p.m.

Location: 109 Capen Hall, north campus

Presenter: Seval Yildirim, Vice Provost for Inclusive Excellence, Office of Inclusive Excellence

Linguistic Justice: Empowering Students by Honoring Their Home Literacies

When we accept the ways in which students show up on campus and in our classrooms, we give them a sense of belonging. Accepting the languages and accents of our diverse student population means that we give space to them to communicate their stories in their own authentic ways.

Date: March 12, 2025

Time: 12-1 p.m.

Location: 109 Capen Hall, north campus

Presenter: Odette Reid, Associate Director, Center for Excellence in Writing

End-of-Year Celebration for the Academic Affairs Mentoring Program & EDJI Community Building Series

Join us as we come together to celebrate the incredible journey we’ve shared through the Academic Affairs Mentoring Program and the EDJI Community Building Series!

Reflect on a year filled with growth, learning and invaluable connections. This event will be an opportunity to commemorate our accomplishments, forge new friendships, and acknowledge the strong bonds we’ve built over the past year.

Date: April 9, 2025

Time: 12-1 p.m.

Location: 17 Norton Hall, north campus

Enjoy light refreshments as we celebrate your hard work, mentorship and the community we’ve built together. We look forward to seeing you there!