The Daily Bulletin

I am pleased to announce the membership of the 2021–2022 Buffalo State College Commencement Committee:

Chair: Kathleen O’Brien, Chair and Lecturer, Hospitality and Tourism Department
Vice Chair: Marcus Watson, Assistant Professor, Individualized Studies
Immediate Past Chair: Jane Cushman, Chair and Associate Professor, Mathematics Department
Secretary: Catherine Cook, Administrative Assistant 2, Academic Affairs

Patricia Alessandra, Commencement Director for Academics, Academic Affairs
Katelyn Brickhouse, Alumni Events Coordinator, Alumni Engagement Office
Pixita del Prado Hill, Professor, Elementary Education, Literacy, and Educational Leadership
Bernadette Gilliam, Assistant Director, Events Management Office
Abdollah Hajikandi, Assistant Director of Academic Services, Educational Opportunity Program
Douglas Hoston, Visiting Scholar, Social and Psychological Foundations of Education
Margaret Letzelter, Executive Assistant to the Dean, Graduate School
Michael Lewis, Senior Director of Administrative Operations, Events Management Office
Amy McMillan, Director, Muriel A. Howard Honors Program
Maria Roberts, Head Volleyball Coach and Assistant Director, Intercollegiate Athletics
Crystal Rodriguez-Dabney, Chief of Staff and Chief Diversity Officer, President’s Office
Ramona Santa Maria, Associate Professor, Computer Information Systems
Jocelyn Tejeda, Senior EOP Counselor, Educational Opportunity Program
Xiang-Dong Zhang, Assistant Professor, Biology
Rita Zientek, Interim Dean, School of the Professions

The Commencement Committee is responsible for advising the president, the provost, and other appropriate college administrators on matters pertaining to Commencement; planning and implementing Commencement ceremonies and related events; submitting  proposed actions and changes of a substantive nature to the president for his or her consideration; disseminating information about Commencement throughout the institution to appropriate departments and other interested constituents; and making recommendations to the president for Commencement speakers, if necessary. Members of the committee serve as institutional advocates and champions for Commencement activities.