Staff Directory

Tilman M. Baumstark, Ph.D. 
Associate Vice Provost
Responsibilities include faculty development, leadership programming, and faculty surveys. Fulbright Scholar Liasion for UB Faculty.

Phone: (716) 645-2792
Email: tilmanb@buffalo.edu

Maria Almanza, Ph.D. 
Director of Faculty Recognition 
Works with faculty and academic leaders to support award efforts on campus and develop a culture of recognition. She helps to manage nominations for prestigious external awards, develops awards-related workshops and resources, mentors faculty applying for awards, and provides writing support to applicants and nominators.

Phone: (716) 645-9341
Email: almanza@buffalo.edu

Sofia Tangalos 
Assistant Vice Provost
Works with faculty, staff, UB leadership and SUNY administrators regarding promotion and tenure dossiers and internal award nominations. She coordinates the annual New Faculty Orientation event and assists with the Faculty Leadership Retreat. 

Phone: (716) 645-2995
Email: tangalos@buffalo.edu

Banafsheh Bakavoli (BB)
Assistant to the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
Provides support to the Vice Provost and Faculty Affairs staff and is also responsible for coordinating all the events hosted by the office including faculty workshops, leadership retreat and new faculty orientation.

Phone: (716) 645-3594
Email: bbmahdib@buffalo.edu

Sindhu Shekar                                                                                                                          Salesforce Platform Developer
Sindhu Shekar leads the development of MentorNet, a dynamic platform built on Salesforce. She drives the entire technical strategy, ensuring seamless mentor-mentee connections. From architecture to execution, she handles every aspect of the platform’s development.

Phone: (716) 645-3587
Email: sindhush@buffalo.edu

Megan Welch
Graduate Assistant
Megan Welch assists the office with faculty development, awards data, and website  management.

Phone: (716) 645-2752
Email: prov.mrwelch3@provost.buffalo.edu