2021 SLICE Awards

Thank you to all who submitted nominations highlighting the outstanding work of students, faculty and staff for this year's SLICE awards. The nominations were thoughtful, inspiring and spanned many departments and offices across campuses, further demonstrating the breadth and depth of work by many to integrate sustainability into our daily work and long-term thinking. 

About the UB SLICE awards

Exemplary efforts by University Community members express UB’s continuing efforts to become a sustainable institution. The University at Buffalo wishes to recognize outstanding individuals and departments who exhibit a sincere commitment to transforming our campuses into a holistically sustainable community through the kinds of leadership, innovation, and collaboration that demonstrates environmental stewardship, enhances social progress, or promotes responsible economic systems and growth.

Each nomination was evaluated based on how well the nominee’s actions reflect these sustainability criteria:

• Going above and beyond routine or assigned responsibilities
• Innovation
• Overall impact
• Ability to serve as a catalyst or model
• Engages multiple campus stakeholders (students, faculty, staff, community, etc)
• Incorporates multiple aspects of sustainability

Nominees must be faculty or staff members, students, or a department or cross functional team at the University at Buffalo. Candidates can be nominated for different categories, either as individuals, departments or partnerships. The categories are:

•  Award for Sustainability Excellence by a Department or Cross Functional Team
•  Student Leadership Award for Sustainable Action
•  Staff Award for Sustainable Operations Initiative
•  Faculty Award for Sustainability in Higher Education

The awards program is selective. Not every nomination is selected for an award. The number of awards in each category is not restricted nor is each award category filled each year. 

Faculty Award for Sustainability in Higher Education-Nicholas Rajkovich, associate professor architecture, in recognition of his work within the Resilient Buildings Lab at UB, and his collaborative effort in advancing UB’s climate action work.

Robert Shibley, Dean School of Architecture and Planning, nominated Rajkovich and highlighted his leadership within climate resiliency and his pivotal work at UB.  “Nick is the ultimate climate ambassador, a passion he brings to his teaching, research and critical practice in architecture and urban planning,” says Robert G. Shibley, dean of UB’s School of Architecture and Planning, where Rajkovich is associate professor architecture. “As a scholar, his combination of evidence-based practice and creative coalition-building has advanced innovations in climate resilient design for the university, our community, and the built environment professions. His dedication carries into the classroom and studio, where he works tirelessly to prepare next-generation architects to design and build sustainably and in relationship to our local and global ecology. Embracing design activism, he pushes higher education and the disciplines of architecture and planning into new spaces of agency for climate resiliency.”

Professor Rajkovich also leads the Sustainability Professional Skills Capstone graduate course which is currently playing a key role in providing students direct opportunities to work side-by-side with university administrators, faculty and staff in advancing UB’s Climate Action Plan.

Student Leadership Award for Sustainable Action-Matthew Taboni, UB senior, in recognition of his advocacy and leadership for increasing food accessibility to students in need on campus, and his sustainability leadership within the UB Residence Halls.

Taboni was nominated by Brian Haggerty and Rachel DiDomizio.“Matt’s leadership within SA, RHA and the Blue Table Food Pantry have required him to take initiative, show maturity, and go above and beyond what is required of most students,” says Rachel DiDomizio, assistant director of student engagement for community & civic engagement, where Matt has served as an intern for three years.  “Because of his dedication food insecure students have gotten the sustenance they needed."

“Matt’s contributions as a student leader are representative of the stewardship we seek in transforming our campus into a holistically sustainable community,” says Brian Haggerty, senior associate director for residential life.  “His contributions as President of the Residence Hall Association, co-chair of the Blue Table program and being a foundational member of the Food Recovery Network, are all examples of the meaningful work he has engaged in. His leadership, innovation and collaboration have made lasting impacts on UB.”

Matt was also a 2021 recepient of SUNY Chancellor's Award for Student Excellence.

Staff Award for Sustainable Operations Initiative - Sara Goodman, Incubation Program Manager in Business and Entrepreneur Partnerships, in recognition of her stalwart sustainability advocacy and efforts to foster a sustainable work environment with incubation space at Baird Research Park and now the Incubator @ CBLS.

Goodman was nominated by colleagues, Kate Helfer and Kim Kohl, who share with us Sara’s passion for sustainability and leading by example.

“I cannot think of a more worthy person to recognize with a SLICE award than Sara,” says Kim Kohl, senior finance and operations manager, in UB Incubators, Business and Entrepreneur Partnerships.   “Since she began working with me in 2011 she has not only advocated for incorporating sustainability into our operations, but has taught us what to do and why it is important.  Sara has shown us that reducing, reusing and recycling doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective.  Simple behaviors practiced at home and at work have become regular habits for our staff because of Sara’s passion.”  

“Sara leads by example.  Every day she is doing something to contribute to sustainability whether it’s putting up signs, bringing in reusable silverware or hosting recycling events,” notes Christina Orsi, associate vice president, economic development. “She is an example for the rest of us.”

Sustainability Excellence by a Department or Cross-Functional Team- UB’s American Student Dental Association’s Sustainability Club was recognized for their collaboration and support of reduction, reuse and recycling of dental-specific equipment and supplies within the Dental School’s clinics, including surgical mask, N95 and KN95 respirator recycling bins for dental clinics.

UB’s American Student Dental Association (ASDA) Sustainability Club was nominated for this award by Matthew Deck, Director of Clinical Operations and Matt Blum, Director of Student Services, both within the Dental School.

Deck and Blum highlighted the following accomplishments. “The ASDA Sustainability Club presented to the D1  (First Year) class regarding environmental sustainability in pre-clinic, giving them many tips to integrate into their education. They have also taken the environmental mantra of “Reduce-Reuse-Recycle” to heart: The Club is currently working closely with supply representatives to REDUCE the unnecessary purchase of dental materials; constructing a tooth hand-me-down program for students to encourage the REUSE of hundreds of plastic teeth purchased annually; and have joined forces with UB Dental Administration to introduce TerraCycle Zero Waste Mask RECYCLING Bins to our school. The Club also collaborated with the local small business “Life is Succulent” to raise over $300 to support new recycling efforts. They have also sponsored an Earth Day Plant Sale and are in the process of planning the first “ASDA Sustainability Amazing Race", where teams of students will travel around Buffalo to complete sustainable tasks. To accomplish all this in one year during a pandemic is extraordinary and worthy of honoring.”