Task Force Membership

Task Force Charge

To improve first-to-second-year retention, the task force is charged with:

  • Conducting a self-study of current retention efforts at the university that includes:
    • An overview of student populations who are at risk for attrition.
    • An assessment of institutional barriers to achieving higher retention rates.
    • An evaluation of effectiveness of all initiatives currently underway at UB to improve first-to-second-year retention, including an overview of resources associated with each initiative.
  • Securing feedback from external consultants on UB’s current retention efforts.
  • Recommending a statement of retention philosophy.
  • Developing and prioritizing implementable recommendations to increase UB’s retention rate to 91% by 2022 and 93% by 2025.
Executive Sponsors

Graham Hammill
Vice Provost for Academic Affairs

Christina Hernandez
Interim Vice President for Student Life

Lee H. Melvin
Vice Provost for Enrollment Management

Task Force Membership

  • Kara Saunders, University Registrar, co-chair
  • Korydon Smith, Professor and Chair, Department of Architecture, School of Architecture and Planning, co-chair

Craig Abbey, Vice Provost for Institutional Analysis and Planning 

Ann Bisantz, Dean of Undergraduate Education

Gino Biondini, Professor and Chair, Department of Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences

Erin Diaz, Financial Aid Advisor, Office of Financial Aid

Jeff Errington, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Tom Feeley, Chair of Media Study, Professor of Media Study, College of Arts and Sciences

David Hostler, Chair, Department of Exercise Science and Nutrition, School of Public Health and Health Professions

Georgia L. Hulbert, Student Association Vice President

Daniel Kaczmarek, Director of Assessment and Research, Student Life

Bobby Jo Ladelfa, Associate Dean for Academic Programs, School of Management

Robert Militech, Chair, Faculty Senate

Justin Read, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education and Experiential Learning, College of Arts and Sciences

Dawn Reed, Director, Interdivisional Marketing and Communications

Barb Ricotta, Senior Associate Vice President, Student Life

Mark Swihart, Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

Cheryl Taplin, Senior Associate Vice Provost for Student Success and Academic Support

Katie Tudini, Assistant Vice Provost and Director of International Student Services

Lei Zhu, Task Force Graduate Assistant