Measuring Success

Military Times named Veteran Services a 2025 Best for Vets for its committment to supporting military service members, veterans and their families.

The Association of College and University Housing Officers - International (acuho-i) recently announced their Best in Show Marketing awards for 2025. The Student Life Marketing and Communications team won in two categories:

• Best in Category (Runner-Up) - Specialty/Promotional Item: Campus Living Resident Welcome Box
• Best in Category (Runner-Up) - Video: That UB Life – Welcome to the Landing

UB’s Startup & Innovation Collaboratory was recognized at the Global Consortium for Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC) annual conference with the Outstanding Student Leadership & Engagement Award! 

This recognition highlights UB’s ongoing commitment to empowering the next generation of innovators, doers, and changemakers. This award celebrates the incredible student leaders who make our entrepreneurial community thrive.

We’re deeply grateful for the leadership, mentorship, and support of our campus and community partners who help us ignite the entrepreneurial and innovation spirit across UB every day.

UB’s Campus Dining and Shops brought home silver at the American Culinary Federation’s (ACF) collegiate competition held during the 31st annual Chef Culinary Conference at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The team, lead by Executive Chef Amelia Ruiz, featured chefs Jonathon Kersting, Kaprishia Covington, Ryan Rodenhaus, and Megan Bailey.

The Chef Culinary Conference is regarded as the premier gathering for food service professionals to learn about the latest scientific findings in nutrition, flavor trends, culinary education, and technological know-how - all delivered in an engaging environment. The conference aims to bring food service concepts into the next generation, embracing nutrition, sustainability, and food ethics to meet the increasing diversity of consumers’ preferences.

The American Culinary Federation sanctioned Team Competition was the most anticipated event of the conference. Thirteen teams of four from across the nation competed in a hot food competition, where each team was given a mystery basket to build a menu from. The UB team had one hour to submit a menu and then produce a three-course meal in the allotted three-hour cooking time. The menu they presented:

• Appetizer
  Tofu and Orzo Salad
• Entrée
  Spinalis Steak with Trumpet Demi
• Dessert
  Beet Panna Cotta

The Career Design Center, along with Orientation, Transition and Parent Programs, recently received SUNY's Excellence in Career Development & Exploration Programming for Design Your UB Experience. The CDC also was awarded and the Excellence in Alumni Programming award for the Connections Carnival program, in partnership with the UB Office of Alumni Engagement.

The SUNY Career Development Organization's Excellence in Career Development & Exploration Programming award is given in recognition of programs that focus on career exploration and preparation, and provide information, facilitate self-reflection or coach students on the how-to of career search.

The SUNY Career Development Organization's Excellence in Alumni Programming award is given in recognition of career or recruitment programming focused on engaging with alumni. This can include providing services to alumni or integrating alumni into other services/programs for students.

Kesha Foster, director of human resources and unit diversity officer for Student Life, received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service. This award honors professional staff performance excellence “both within and beyond the position.” 

Student Life Marketing and Communications won four SUNYCUAD Awards for Excellence at the annual SUNYCUAD Conference. The program rewards the very best efforts of our talented and creative professionals throughout the SUNY system. The 2025 awards include:

Best of Category:

• Excellence in Creativity: Social Media, Snowvengers

Judges Citations:

• Excellence in Strategy: Marketing, Residence Hall True Blue Tour Room
• Excellence in Creativity: Multipage Publication, Our Faces. Our Stories.
• Excellence in Strategy: Special Events, Bulls Welcome Back Blast

Campus Dining and Shops is being recognized with a 2025 sustainability award from the National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS). CDS received a “silver” this year in the category of waste reduction.

The award highlights efforts to reduce single-use disposables, recycle and compost, divert waste, collect data on waste production, provide nourishment to food insecure students and educate consumers on the importance of reducing waste, including organics.

Sarah Schauer, LEAD Coordinator - Leadership & Development in Student Engagement, was awarded the Excellence in Service to Students. This award honors a UB Faculty or Staff Member who has shown considerable and consistent excellence in their service to UB students and has devoted their time, energy, creativity, and heart into making UB students' lives better.

Rachel DiDomizio, Associate Director of Community and Civic Engagement in the Office of Student Engagement, was named this year's Didaskalos Award recipient. The Didaskalos Award has been in existence at UB since 1981. Named after the Greek word for “teacher,” it is given to members of the UB community who uphold high moral and spiritual standards in their work.

Military Friendly - Silver Award - Militaryfriendly.org measures the commitment, effort and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefit for the military community.

The criteria for the Communicators Award focused on overall creativity, functionality, results connected to the goal, and adherence to University brand standards.

• Best in Category – Environmental – True Blue Tour Room

At the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 20^th Annual Chapter Leadership Conference in Houston Texas, the University at Buffalo Student Wellness sponsored Campus Walk and Roll event was awarded #8 recognition in Top 10 fundraising walks for 2024.

Campus Dining and Shops (CDS) at the University at Buffalo (UB) fielded a four-person team for the American Culinary Federation’s 11th Annual Culinary Conference and Competition held at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY on Friday, January 10, 2025, and was awarded a Silver medal in the ACF Category W Market Basket Competition.

UB has been awarded the 2024 CPN Seal of Prevention™. The CPN Seal of Prevention is awarded to institutions or organizations that demonstrate a commitment to using evidence-based prevention strategies in their programming, particularly focused on areas like student safety, well-being, and community building, often through digital platforms.

Sharon Mitchell, senior director of Student Wellness and director of Counseling Services, will be recognized for her work in campus mental health by the Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors (AUCCCD).

The Career Design Center, along with campus partners (School of Management Career Resource Center and School of Engineering and Applied Sciences) received  the Outstanding Initiative Award for the Future of Work Summit, an event designed to connect hiring managers, recruiters, UB faculty and industry leaders.

• Military Friendly - Gold Award - A the standard that measures an organization’s commitment, effort and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefit for the military community.

UB Student Life iDEAL Academy was rated highly by the committee on the following criteria: evidence of impact on student learning or success, relevance to mission and/or advancement of student affairs profession, meets student needs/critical campus issues, originality and creativity, including unique adaptations of best practices, and the quality of the proposal. 

A UB Campus Dining and Shops team of chefs took the bronze medal in the team competition at the 30th annual Chef Culinary Conference, held earlier this month at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The UB team — chef managers Brendan Schultz, Kenneth Fronczek, Emanuel Pryce and Ryan Rodenhaus — was among 13 from across the nation that developed a menu and produced a three-course hot meal from a mystery basket.

Student Life Marketing and Communications won two SUNYCUAD Awards for Excellence at the annual SUNYCUAD Conference. The program rewards the very best efforts of our talented and creative professionals throughout the SUNY system. The 2024 awards include:

Best of Category:

• True Blue Division Highlights  (design)

Judges Citations:

• Bulls Welcome Back Blast Drone Show (strategy)

The National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS) announced Campus Dining and Shops (CDS) at the University at Buffalo as a recipient of the NACUFS 2024 Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards. CDS received a Gold in the category of Retail Sales – Single Concept of the Year for Sabor Latino

Campus Dining Chef Brendan Schultz was awarded a silver medal at the NACUFS (National Association of College & University Food Services) Culinary Challenge. The Challenge is a live, timed competition which recognizes the exceptional culinary expertise within collegiate dining. Chef Brendan competed against five other chefs from equally prestigious Northeast schools.

Ali Bitterman, Assessment and Research's senior research and data analyst, is being recognized for her efforts to elevate awareness and accessibility of data visualizations for the campus community.

Janice Cochran, Health Promotion's coordinator for nutrition and physical activity, received the 2024 PSS Outstanding Service Award. The award recognizes her outstanding service to the community, going above and beyond her regular job duties for the betterment of our community.

Lori Chiarilli, Associate Director, Marketing and Communications, received the 2024 SUNY Chancellor's Award in Professional Service. The Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service honors professional staff performance excellence “both within and beyond the position.”

Kerri Bigler, Administrative Assistant, Office of Residential Life, received the 2024 SUNY Chancellor's Award in Professional Service. Kerri was recognized for her commitment to excellent customer service in all aspects of her work.

The criteria for the Blue Bell Award focused on overall creativity, functionality, results connected to the goal, and adherence to University brand standards.

• Best in Category – Campaign – Bulls Welcome Back Blast Drone Spectacular
• Best in Category – Environmental – Startup and Innovation Collaboratory

Dan Kaczmarek, director, Assessment and Research, and Susan O'Rourke, assistant director of leadership & development in the Student Engagement office, received the 2024 Collaborative Excellence Award by the ACPA (American College Personnel Association) for the Here to Career program. The award highlights the incorporation of assessment into the supervisory experience for on-campus supervisors, and how this data was used to shape the development of the Here to Career program.

Health Promotion has been awarded a 2023 Campus Prevention Network Seal of Prevention. The award represents the highest standard for online prevention education and recognizes institutions making a measurable impact across critical areas including sexual assault prevention, alcohol and drug misuse, mental health, and inclusion.   

Sharon Mitchell, Senior Director, Student Wellness, was awarded a Distinguished Achievement Award. The award recognizes outstanding alumni achievement within a particular field or fields of accomplishment, which may be in either professional or community service endeavors.

Meeting Students Where They are at Through an Embedded Counselor Program - University at Buffalo Counseling Services

• Sharon Mitchell, Senior Director, Student Wellness
• Nicholas Fronczak, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
• Brianna Presutti, Licensed Mental Health Counselor
• Thomas Neill, Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• Katherine Miller-Procknal, Licensed Psychologist
• Alison Smith, MSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker

Sharon Mitchell, Senior Director, Student Wellness, was awarded the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Institutional Practice. As part of the award, Sharon was invited to publish an article in the distinguished American Psychologist. 

Student Life Marketing and Communications team received both a national Circle of Excellence Bronze and Best of District II CASE award for their "A True Blue Year: Student Life Divisional Highlight 2021-2022" in the Publications | President's Reports & Annual Reports category.

Student Life Marketing and Communications was recognized as a national MarCom Award Finalist for their "A True Blue Year: Student Life Divisional Highlight 2021-2022" publication.

NODA: Association for Orientation, Transition and Retention in Higher Education awarded Associate Director of OTPP Chrissy Daniel with the Norman K. Russell Scholarship. The scholarship is “awarded to recognize and assist graduate or doctoral students who have demonstrated a strong commitment to orientation, retention and transition, who will contribute to the enhancement of the orientation field, and who is currently enrolled as a graduate student in orientation-related fields". In addition to her duties in the OTPP office, Chrissy is also currently enrolled in UB's Higher Education PhD program.

The American Culinary Federation (ACF) has bestowed the certification of Certified Executive Chef (CEC) to Amelia Ruiz after she successfully passed her Practical Exam on Saturday, October 21, 2023. The assessment for certification practical testing is divided into four general areas: Safety and Sanitation Skills; Organization; Craftsmanship Skills; Finished Product Skills. The practical examination is the final step for CEC certification, after successful completion of the mandatory course requirements and written examination.

UB's CoLab received the Exceptional Activities in Entrepreneurship Across Disciplines award from the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC).

This award honors a center dedicated to creating, advancing, and enabling entrepreneurship education opportunities to multiple audiences and units across campus. Selection criteria includes creativity of multidisciplinary approach, measured impact across campus, and diversity of partners and stakeholders.

• Military Friendly - Silver Award - A the standard that measures an organization’s commitment, effort and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefit for the military community.
  
• Military Spouse Friendly School

Student Life Marketing and Communications won five SUNYCUAD Awards for Excellence program rewards the very best efforts of our talented and creative professionals throughout the SUNY system. The 2023  awards include:

Best of Category:

• A True Blue Year
• Willie Evans Quad

Judges Citations:

• That UB Life (video series)
• Student Engagement Reception Lounge (project)
• Interlocking UB (UB Traditions website)

Campus Dining and Shops received both the Grand and Gold Prizes in the 2023 Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards presented by the National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS) for One World Café.  Named for a National Association College and University Food Services (NACUFS) founder, past president and highly regarded innovator, the Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards celebrate exemplary menus, presentations, special event planning, and new dining concepts, and provide an avenue for sharing ideas and creative presentations in campus dining services.

Student Engagement's business manager, Darlene Robb, has won the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service which recognizes classified staff members who have consistently demonstrated superlative performance within and beyond their position.

Career Design Center, Excellence in Innovation - for programming that demonstrates new, creative and successful use of technology or other resources. This submission was completed by Jenna Hubbard who in collaboration with Tim Patch and Kristy Strough envisioned and then executed the vision of learning installations and other active-learning strategies within the Career Design Studio.

The criteria for the Blue Bell Award focused on overall creativity, functionality, results connected to the goal, and adherence to University brand standards.

• Career Design Center (Jenna Hubbard, Tim Patch and Kristy Strough): Best in Category Environmental - Career Everywhere Concept - 
• Student Life Marketing and Communications: Best in Category Videos - "That UB Life"
  

Student Life Marketing and Communications won two SUNYCUAD Awards for Excellence program rewards the very best efforts of our talented and creative professionals throughout the SUNY system. The 2022  awards include:

• Excellence in Marketing - Total Advertising Campaign
  Reason to Celebrate – Opening Week 2021! - Best of Category
• Excellence in Programs – Alumni Engagement
  Marching Band Century Celebration - Judges Citation

Mary Clare Fahey, Human Resources Senior Staff Assistant in Residence Life, was elected for the Professional Staff Senate (PSS) Spotlight Award. Mary Clare was nominated by her peers based on her exemplary service, and continued efforts that support the initiatives of the Inclusion and Diversity committee.

Aaron Maracle, Violence Prevention Specialist in Health Promotion, was awarded the Tom Goodale Exceptional Advising in Peer Education award at the 2022 NASPA General Assembly. Aaron was selected from student nominations based on his commitment to peer education efforts, unique talents as a peer education advisor, leadership ability, and presence as a positive role model for peer educators.  Aaron was specifically recognized for his seven years of service as an advisor, his commitment to improving the craft as a member of the NASPA Peer Education Advisor faculty, and his dedication to developing UB student leaders’ whole selves.

2022 Best for Vets (Military Times) - Student success metrics (completion, retention, persistence, GPA) are the most important factor in determining the relative ranking of schools on this year’s list, followed closely by the range of military-specific resources and the level of financial assistance they offer.

The Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service honors professional staff performance excellence “both within and beyond the position.”

• Meegan Hunt, Campus Living has held a variety of positions within Campus Living, working on behalf of the health, safety and development of residential students. A staff member for over 20 years, Hunt has been integral to implementing SUNY guidelines to protect students’ health while ensuring their continued educational excellence throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. She coordinated the move-out process for approximately 6,500 students during the spring of 2020. 
• Anna Sotelo-Peryea, Health Promotion has been working to cultivate and create a campus culture that promotes healthy, equitable relationships and eliminates sexual violence. As violence prevention program coordinator and associate director of health promotion for Student Life, Sotelo-Peryea is responsible for developing and implementing programs and strategies to reduce sexual and relationship violence, and cultivate student skills for healthier interactions.
  

Campus Living was honored as Connect Life's "University Blood Drive Partner" of the year. Campus Living has prioritized increased participation at its on-campus events, earning recognition for its unwavering commitment to ConnectLife's mission.

Aaron Maracle (Six Nations, Mohawk), Violence Prevention Specialist in Health Promotion was honored with the Distinguished UB Alumni Award for Excellence in Supporting UB Indigenous Students. The award was presented by the Department of Indigenous Studies at their annual graduation ceremony.

UB's Blackstone LaunchPad received the award in recognition of the extraordinary progress our team has made over the past year in the following categories: positioning LaunchPad across your campus divisions to garner support and achieve buy-in;  encouraging strong Stewardship Council involvement; and leveraging local, regional economic development and entrepreneurship to establish key partnerships 

UB Counseling Psychologist and Student of Color Specialist, Amani Johnson, was named a Diversity Scholar and will present to the ACCCCS membership about diversity issues as related to clinical practice or the administration of clinical practice at the upcoming ACCCCS conference. The Diversity Scholar Program promotes the diversity and inclusion of underrepresented populations in the ACCCCS membership.

Senior Director of  Student Wellness, Sharon Mitchell, was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for providing outstanding service to AUCCCD and exemplary leadership in the field of College and University Counseling Centers.

2022 Fellow of the Society of Counseling Psychology - Sharon Mitchell, Senior Director of Student Wellness

Health Promotion was awarded the Campus Prevention Network's Seal of Prevention for Safety, Well-Being, and Inclusion based on an evaluation of the unit's practice of using evidence-based prevention principles, including socio-cultural relevance, appropriate timing, reach and dosage, evaluated outcomes, use of local data, comprehensive prevention planning, well-trained staff, positive relationships with campus and community partners, and use of diverse methodology. 

Hadar Borden, director, Blackstone Launchpad & WNY Prosperity Fellows Program, was named a 2021 Business First Women of Influence Award winner. Community Supporter recognizes women who go beyond the call to devote time, energy and resources to support the community.

The Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service recognizes classified staff members who have consistently demonstrated superlative performance within and beyond their position.

• Justine Wheeler, Campus Living is known for her attention to detail and willingness to assist in creating and implementing new processes and procedures to serve UB students. She is responsible for tracking and accommodating housing assignment requests, answering countless questions from students and parents, and maintaining records for the more-than 8,000 students who live on campus.
• Ann Zielinski, Campus Living, coordinates the cleaning of 18 residential properties as head janitor, and schedules 100 part-time and full-time cleaners. Highly organized, she manages the planned and unplanned absences and medical leaves of a large staff while ensuring outstanding, uninterrupted service to students.

• Military Friendly - Gold Award - A the standard that measures an organization’s commitment, effort and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefit for the military community.
  
• Military Spouse Friendly School

Each year the CASE Circle of Excellence Awards recognize hundreds of institutions whose talented staff members advanced their institutions last year through innovative, inspiring, and creative ideas.

Gold - Black Lives Matter Campus Engagement Campaign

The SUNYCUAD Awards for Excellence program rewards the very best efforts of our talented and creative professionals throughout the SUNY system. The 2021 awards include:

• Excellence in Advertising - Total Advertising Campaign
  Black Lives Matter Campus Engagement Campaign - Best of Category
  
• Excellence in Print and Design – Single Page Publication
  Here to Career Supervisor Handout - Judges Citation
  

This UB award honors a new professional faculty or staff member who has shown an outstanding commitment to mentoring, developing, supporting, and positively impacting undergraduate and graduate students through their participation in and support of community engagement, service, and volunteerism.

• Lee Bemiller, Student Engagement

Rachel DiDomizio was honored with the Bronze Pin Award, the highest individual honor given by the Residence Hall Association (RHA) President. RHA presidents give this pin to individuals who have provided leadership and direction to themselves and their campus organizations.

Chris Bragdon was selected as the Advisor of the Year by the North East Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls.  NEACURH is a student leadership organization and an affiliate of the National Association of College and University Residence Halls, Inc. which is the largest student run organization in the world.  Chris currently serves as the advisor to UB’s Residence Hall Association.

Val Luutran was awarded the region IX Outstanding New OTR Professional Award which recognizes a new orientation, transition, and retention professional who has demonstrated service to NODA at a regional Association-wide level, and/or to the orientation, transition, and retention profession.

Campus Dining and Shops was awarded the Unsung Hero Award for contributing significantly behind the scenes to the success of this year's campaign.

Campus Dining and Shops received a silver award in the Residential Dining — Special Event category. The “All Things Apple” event was a special event dinner that showcased a menu full of New York State apples, along with themed activities for more than 1,300 students.

The Silver Baton Award recognizes individuals for service to bands for noteworthy longevity and continuous quality by the National Council of Kappa Kappa Psi.

• Jim Mauck, Director of Athletic Bands

The SUNYCUAD Awards for Excellence program rewards the very best efforts of our talented and creative professionals throughout the SUNY system. The 2020 awards recognize the efforts of the following units: Health Promotion, Student Conduct and Advocacy and Student Unions.

• Excellence in Advertising: When It's Seen, Intervene - BEST OF CATEGORY 
• Excellence in Events, Campus Community: Blue Table - JUDGES' CITATION

Excellence Awards recognize the contributions of members who are transforming higher education through outstanding programs, innovative services, and effective administration. NASPA's Excellence Awards cover eleven categories crucial to the success of students. Sharing our successes benefit students, improves institutions, and promotes our profession

• Academic Advising Careers Graduate Professional and related Excellence Award Winner: Here to Career

The Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service honors members of the professional staff whose extraordinary service contributions have significantly enriched the university. The Award in Professional Service is presented to professional staff members who serve energetically, innovatively, and knowledgeably in their fields:

• Phyllis Floro, Director of Student Engagement
• Sharon L. Mitchell, Director of Counseling Services and Senior Director of Student Wellness

Jim Mauck, Director of Athletic Bands was named the 2020 Accessibility Award recipient, presented by the UB Student Association. On behalf of the undergraduate student body, this award annually highlights outstanding professors that are dedicated to the students they teach. This award especially recognizes those that go above and beyond to ensure the inclusiveness of all their students, regardless of their accessibility background. 

Campus Living is being specifically recognized in the category of Sustainability Excellence by a Department or Cross Functional Team. UB Sustainability’s annual SLICE (Sustainability, Leadership, Innovation and Collaborative Engagement) awards have recognized outstanding individuals and departments that exhibit a sincere commitment to transforming UB’s campuses into a holistically sustainable community through leadership, innovation and collaboration. Recipients are honored for efforts that demonstrate environmental stewardship, enhance social progress, or promote responsible economic systems and growth. 

Director of Athletic Bands Jim Mauck empowers student leaders to take on responsibility for their organization and section performance and encourages them to be their very best. Band alumni return to campus annually to thank Jim for the role he played in their UB story and their personal success. The UB Marching Band is the largest music ensemble at the University at Buffalo and this year they will celebrate 100 years of existence.

• 2020 Military Friendly - Gold Award: Military Friendly® is the standard that measures an organization’s commitment, effort and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefit for the military community.
• 2020 Best for Vets (Military Times: Rebootcamp) - areas of university culture, academic quality and outcomes, policies, student support and costs and financial aid evaluated for this award.

UB Counseling Services director Sharon Mitchell, PhD received the "Director of the Year" award during the 2020 American College Counseling Association's annual conference. The award recognizes a college counseling director who has made a significant impact on the national, state or local level. Sharon has continuously supported and advocated for excellence in training programs, sustaining an excellent, accredited psychology internship program as well as training programs for graduate social work internships and clinical assistantships for doctoral students in psychology. 

Sharon Kirkland-Gordon, of Counseling Services  was honored with the Outstanding Contribution to Counseling Center Work from the American Psychological Association. This award recognizes professional psychologists, with more than five years of counseling center employment, who have shown outstanding leadership and excellence in any of the following realms of counseling center work: clinical innovation and skills, best practices in training, innovations in preventative programming, outreach to under served populations, research contributions, and/or exemplary practices in administration.

Rachel DiDomizio of Student Engagement was honored with the 18 under 36 community award from the Buffalo Jewish Federation. In addition to her work in Student Life, Rachel also coordinates a monthly Tzedek Corps program for congregation Shir Shalom where she focuses on providing hands-on opportunities for students to learn about real-life challenges in the Buffalo community and reflect on their role as members of the Jewish community. 

Hadar Borden of the Blackstone Launchpad was honored with the 2019 Emerging Leadership Award from the Buffalo Jewish Federation. Hadar serves as the director of the WNY Prosperity Fellowship Program, a leadership development program that seeks to recruit and retain entrepreneurial-minded students to contribute to the economic development of Western New York. 

Crystal Circle of Past Presidents - 2019

Jude Butch of Student Engagement was honored with the Crystal Circle award. The Crystal Circle recognizes and celebrates the Past Presidents of CSPA-NYS. Individuals are inducted into the Crystal Circle upon completion of the full Presidency term, comprised of one-year as President-Elect, one-year as President, and one-year as Past President. In recognition for their service to the Association, Crystal Circle members are given lifetime membership in CSPA-NYS.

Dr. Daniel Bratton Award for Outstanding Service

Ben Fabian of Student Conduct and Advocacy was awarded the Dr. Daniel Bratton Award for Outstanding Service to the Association. Dr. Daniel Bratton was the Chairman of the Organizing Committee that founded the NYS College Student Personnel Association in 1967. He was presented with “the first ACPA State Divisional Charter” for New York State on April 8, 1968, and served as the Association’s first President.

• 2020 U.S. News & World Report: Best Colleges for Veterans #48 - awarded to top-ranked schools in the 2020 Best Colleges rankings that participate in federal initiatives helping veterans and active-duty service members pay for their degrees.
• 2019 Military Friendly (Viqtory Media) - Silver Award: Military Friendly® is the standard that measures an organization’s commitment, effort and success in creating sustainable and meaningful benefit for the military community.
• 2019 Best for Vets #76 (Military Times: Rebootcamp) - areas of university culture, academic quality and outcomes, policies, student support and costs and financial aid evaluated for this award.

Bennett Cup -  2019

The UB Employees Campaign for the Community started in 1976 as part of the State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA). For over 35 years, the campaign has given all university employees and retirees a way to make a meaningful contribution to charitable organizations worldwide. UB donors can choose to contribute to any of more than 2,800 health, human service, educational, environmental and cultural organizations. Historically, over 80 percent of the money raised through the campaign has been designed for agencies in the Buffalo-Niagara region. These donations help tens of thousands of our fellow community members by providing services that align closely with UB’s priorities for community engagement in the areas of health and wellness, neighborhood revitalization, economic development, and pre-K-16 education.

The Bennett Cup established in 2000 in honor of former United Way President Bob Bennett, chancellor emeritus of the state Board of Regents is considered the MVP award of the campaign and is awarded to the most successful unit.

The State University of New York Council of Chief Student Affairs Officers (CCSAO) and the Office of University Life are pleased to offer awards to outstanding student affairs programs that have demonstrated a positive impact on students and their development.

• Category: Violence Education and Prevention, Crisis Management, Campus Security, and related - Health Promotion

The SUNYCUAD Awards for Excellence program rewards the very best efforts of our talented and creative professionals throughout the SUNY system. The 2019 awards recognize the efforts of the following units: Student Engagement, Student Conduct and Advocacy, Assessment and Research, Orientation, Transition and Parent Programs, UB Video Productions and Student Life Marketing and Communications.

• Excellence in Campaigns: Here to Career, Judges Citation - PLACE
• Excellence in Campaigns Student Emergency Fund,  Judges Citation - SHOW
• Excellence in Print and Design for a Single page Publication INSIGHT Publication, Judges Citation – SHOW
• Excellence in Digital Marketing – Video What’s my Word? Video , Judges Citation – PLACE

Director Jim Mauck and the UB Athletic Bands received the 2019 Golden Apple Award from the Niagara Falls City School District. The award was established by the District to honor those who voluntarily work with our students and go above and beyond in partnering with the district to provide student opportunities.

Matthew Ardila-Weigand, Director of Orientation, Transition and Parent Programs; has received a 2019 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service.  This award recognizes consistently superior professional achievement within and beyond the position. 

Sue Snyder, Director of Health Services, has received a 2019 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Professional Service.  This award recognizes consistently superior professional achievement within and beyond the position. 

Robert Czubaj, a Maintenance Supervisor with Campus Living has received a 2019 SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Classified Service.  This award recognizes exceptional achievements and superior performance of duties. The award in classified service honors those employees who continuously demonstrate outstanding achievement, commitment to excellence, and exemplary customer service.

Marla McBride, Associate Director of Health Promotion, is one of three recipients nationwide to receive EVERFI’s 2019 Impact Award for outstanding achievements in alcohol prevention.

Assistant Director for Counseling Services, Carissa Uschold-Klepfer, received the Outstanding Service to the Professional Staff Senate Award which recognizes outstanding service by an individual or group to the Professional Staff Senate. 

Campus Dining and Shops has been recognized by AllerTrain for outstanding restaurant and university leaders at the forefront of the food service industry in food allergy training and safety for 2019.

Crystal Circle of Past Presidents - 2018

Ben Fabian of Student Conduct and Advocacy was honored with the Crystal Circle award. The Crystal Circle recognizes and celebrates the Past Presidents of CSPA-NYS. Individuals are inducted into the Crystal Circle upon completion of the full Presidency term, comprised of one-year as President-Elect, one-year as President, and one-year as Past President. In recognition for their service to the Association, Crystal Circle members are given lifetime membership in CSPA-NYS.

Careers, Academic Advising and Support, Service-Learning, Community Service, and related 2018 - Ready, Set Buffalo

The State University of New York Council of Chief Student Affairs Officers (CCSAO) and the Office of University Life are pleased to offer awards to outstanding student affairs programs that have demonstrated a positive impact on students and their development.

Harriett Copher Haynes Award - 2018

Betsy Rodriguez has been awarded a scholarship award to attend the annual AUCCCD conference. The scholarship is awarded annually to talented mental health professionals of diverse identities who aspire to become counseling center directors.   In 2014 this program was renamed the Harriett Copher Haynes Diversity Leadership Mentoring Program to recognize and honor Harriett for her leadership in establishing this important initiative in 2003.  AUCCCD recognizes that establishing a mentoring relationship with an experienced director and networking at the annual conference can provide a rich professional development experience for future directors.

SUNY Chancellor's Award - 2018

Elizabeth Lidano has been awarded a 2018 Chancellor’s Award, which acknowledges and provides system-wide recognition for consistently superior professional achievement and encourage the ongoing pursuit of excellence. In her role as director for Student Conduct and Advocacy, Lidano makes herself available to students, parents, faculty and staff daily. She is a resource to numerous offices regarding student behavior issues and works with faculty and staff to solve complex problems relating to these issues.  

GOLD Retail Sales-Single Concept/Multiple Concepts/Marketplace (large school entry) for The Bowl - 2018

Named for a National Association College and University Food Services (NACUFS) founder, past president and highly regarded innovator, the Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards celebrate exemplary menus, presentations, special event planning, and new dining concepts, and provide an avenue for sharing ideas and creative presentations in campus dining services.

Shoestring Budget Videos (SUNYCUAD Awards for Excellence) - 2018

Career Services associates: Jenna M. Smith, Kristy Strough and Robert Orrange were recognized for their Intern Thoughts Video Series. The award recognizes the best in video production. An understanding of the target audience and the institution’s mission and how well it is communicated will be judge, along with content, scripting, photography, sound track, editing, budget, and use of available resources. Entries are restricted to materials that are written and filmed in-house. Particular attention is given to the relationship between the video’s effectiveness and overall quality to cost. 

Bronze Medal (NACUFS Regional Culinary Challenge) - 2018

Chef Amelia Ruiz earned a bronze medal in the Customized Wildcard Category during the NACUFS Culinary Challenge, sanctioned by the American Culinary Federation (ACF). The entrée recipe featured the mandatory protein combination of littleneck clams, squid and oysters. Chef Amelia’s winning dish: Squid Ink Pasta with Calamari and Clams in a Saffron Beurre Blanc sauce topped with a Pistachio Fried Oyster.

SLICE (Sustainability Leadership, Innovation and Collaborative Engagement) Award (UB Sustainability) - 2018

Hadar Borden is the 2018 recipient of the Staff Award for Sustainability Excellence. The staff award is bestowed on an individual who exhibits 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.

Top 10 Military Friendly School - Military Friendly/Victoria Media - 2018-2019

Military Friendly® Schools are leading institutions that have earned the elite Military Friendly® designation. Top 10 Award winners have programs that scored the highest within a given category.

Women Making History - Outstanding Leadership (Women of Greatness) - 2018
Renata Marchione of Three Pillars Catering (CDS) received the Outstanding Leadership award during the Women of Greatness recognition and award ceremony. She was introduced by Senator Tim Kennedy and there were 23 women who were honored and recognized for accomplishments in each of their fields within the Buffalo community.  Her award for “Outstanding Leadership” highlighted her 28 years in catering management and her support and volunteer efforts with the Epilepsy foundation, Salvation Army, police, firefighters, and many more.

Chef of the Year (American Culinary Federation of Greater Buffalo) - 2018
Neal Plazio named 2018 Chef of the Year by ACF of Greater Buffalo. The annual honoree is chosen by a committee of past Chefs of the Year. To be nominated, candidates must be a Certified Executive Chef, a leader in the culinary/hospitality industry and maintain dedication to his/her craft and community as a whole. 

Military Times Best: Colleges 2018
The Military Times Best distinction, formerly Best for Vets, recognizes your institution for its commitment to providing quality educational opportunities to America's veterans and military-connected students.

Unsung Hero Award (UB Campaign for the Community) - 2017
John Lambert of Student Life received the Unsung Hero Award, Unsung Hero is awarded to an individual doing vital and significant work behind the scenes to help the campaign.

Staff of the Month - November (National Association of College and University Residence Halls) - 2017

Maria Reinhart of Goodyear Dining Center received the National Association of College and University Residence Halls Staff of the Month Campus Award for November 2017 for outstanding Institution Faculty/Staff. The award recognizes individuals outside of residence life who aid students in their academics and/or personal affairs. This category is intended to recognize institutional faculty who have made a contribution to the residence life community both in and out of the classroom. 

Distinguished Alumnus (Niagara Community College - NCCC) - 2017

Phyllis Floro, director of Student Engagement, was presented the 2017 Distinguished Alumnus Award from NCCC. The award is presented each year to graduates of NCCC who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their life, career, and volunteer activities. The award is one of the highest honors that the College bestows to those who can point to NCCC as the place where they obtained their start. Recipients are selected on the basis of professional and personal accomplishments, community service, and unique background.

• Dr. Theresa D. Drummond Memorial Award (Association for College Unions International-ACUI, Region VII) - 2017 
  Award recognizes the execution of an outstanding multicultural program, event, or activity with an emphasis on the promotion of cross-cultural communication and acceptance, in addition to advocating for the inclusion of everyone in campus communities.
• Outstanding Social Justice Innovation Award (College Student Personnel Association of New York State-CSPANYS) - 2017
  To recognize an Association member(s) who have contributed to the advancement of social justice through a program, presentation or initiative.

Prevention Excellence Award (Campus Prevention Network) - 2017
UB is one of five recipients of the 2017 Prevention Excellence Award for outstanding achievements in sexual assault prevention.

The State University of New York Council of Chief Student Affairs Officers (CCSAO) and the Office of University Life are pleased to offer awards to outstanding student affairs programs that have demonstrated a positive impact on students and their development:

• Housing, Residence Life, Contracted Services and Judicial:  Supervision and Development Guide for Graduate Assistants
• Student Health, Wellness, Counseling and Accessibility Resources: Mental Health Awareness Video Competition