‘Wingin’ It’ serves up hot takes on students’ burning questions

Buffalo is home of the chicken wing, so it’s only natural to find the culinary treat around campus. But this time, it might not be in the form you’d expect. The wings are taking center stage as the stars of a UB video series, now in its second season.

The College of Arts and Sciences’ “Wingin' It,” hosted by Zach Carr, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Communication, explores the hot topics and burning questions students have about attending UB. Each episode dives into a different theme surrounding the UB student experience via a Q&A with fellow Bulls that features, of course, chicken wings.

“Hosting ‘Wingin’ It’ is one of the most fun experiences I’ve had at UB,” Carr says. “The opportunity to engage with our UB community in this novel way was something I could not pass up. This show highlights Buffalo culture while offering real insight into the college experience for students of all backgrounds.”

As the questions heat up from mild to wild, so does the heat of the chicken wings. The wings — provided by Campus Dining and Shops — come in a variety of flavors and heat levels, while Carr and the guests in each episode answer and eat on repeat. Milk and blue cheese are provided in case things get a little too spicy!

This semester, self-care and finding a major that fits are the hot topics that will be covered in each episode. The “Wingin’ It” student guests this fall include media study major Axel Turpin and Fiona Serrano, a triple major studying English, global gender studies and history. Both students are undergraduate Student Ambassadors in the College of Arts and Sciences.

“This series came to fruition after looking for ways to get important information to students in a fun and unique manner,” explains Anne Mecca, assistant director for admissions and student services, adviser for the college’s Student Ambassador program and co-producer of “Wingin’ It.”

“Zach and our guests have been great sports. They’ve provided wonderful and poignant insights, as well as some truly meme-worthy reactions to the (wing) sauces,” she adds.

The four episodes in the first season of “Wingin’ It” can be viewed on YouTube, as well as on the College Central website. The episodes cover the college experience, featuring Dean Robin Schulze; experiential learning; study skills; and making friends. In addition to the traditional episodes, Wingin’ It LIVE! was held at Academics Day in August for first-year students.

The episodes are filmed and edited by Paul Calandra, Center for the Arts director of photography; Corrine Guerra, CFA producer; and Sean Krueger, CFA production associate. “Wingin’ It” is produced by Mecca and Katie Brigham, associate director of communications in the College of Arts and Sciences. The episodes are filmed at the Crossroads Culinary Center at Red Jacket Quad in Ellicott Complex.