Our Team

Graham Hammill is the vice provost for academic affairs and dean of the Graduate School. A strong advocate for student success, Hammill provides dynamic academic leadership and a vision for undergraduate, graduate and professional education that advances the University at Buffalo as a premier public research university.

Hammill joined UB in 2008 as a faculty member and served as chair of the English department. He became vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate School in 2015. In these roles, Hammill oversaw the development of innovative, interdisciplinary degree and professional development programs; streamlined and improved the university’s program review process; and led a comprehensive evaluation of UB’s doctoral education programs that provided key data used in departmental strategic planning efforts.

In 2017, Hammill assumed the role of vice provost for academic affairs. Under his leadership, the divisional units align program development and approval, assessment and program review, and academic support services across undergraduate and graduate education to enhance student access, support and success at all levels.

Hammill holds a PhD from Duke University and is an expert in early modern British literature. He has served as president of the International Spenser Society, chair of the MLA Executive Committee for the Division on Renaissance Literature and chair of the MLA Executive Committee for the Division on Psychological Approaches to Literature.

Sandra Flash is the associate vice provost for academic affairs and director of HUB & Student Systems Support. Serving in this role since 2018, she has provided leadership for university-wide academic policies and procedures for UB’s undergraduate, graduate and professional programs. In addition, Sandra oversees the offices of academic integrity and fellowships and scholarships, as well as graduate student services and graduate professional development. She earned her PhD and master’s and bachelor’s degrees from UB and has been with the university since 1993. Her professional background includes higher education leadership roles in international education and academic and student affairs.

Kara Saunders is the university registrar, which supports the multifaceted academic needs of the university. In this role, Kara oversees the Office of the Registrar’s stewardship of programs and systems that support students, faculty and staff in reaching their academic pursuits. Kara holds a PhD from UB and a master’s degree from Harvard University. She has served as the university registrar since 2010 and has been at UB since 2000.

Carol Van Zile-Tamsen is the associate vice provost of the Office of Curriculum, Assessment and Teaching Transformation (CATT). This new office opened in 2021 following the merger of two familiar campus resources, the Center for Educational Innovation and the Office of Educational Effectiveness, to provide the university community with a more efficient structure for instructional and programmatic support. In her role as director, Carol leads the collective efforts to achieve programmatic and instructional excellence and increased student learning and success. Carol earned her PhD and master's degree at UB and has been with the university as a staff member since 2001 and has been with academic affairs since 2014.