Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
In Advancement, we know that equity, diversity and inclusion are essential to our success as staff, faculty, students, alumni and friends of the University at Buffalo. We collaborate, plan and coordinate with members of the community to build a culture that makes us stronger.
Commitment to Diversity
University Advancement is committed to creating a culture where all people are safe, heard and valued. Here, we grow relationships and find innovative ways to engage with all members of the greater UB community. We aspire to be an organization that attracts and retains a diverse staff that welcomes and engages all our alumni and friends. The future of our work must be inclusive. We are dedicated to cultivating a culture of trust and collaboration. A team that embraces these values will be better positioned to recognize and seize opportunities that maximize our success in all that we do.
University Advancement DEI Committee
University Advancement’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee was created and charged with creating an organizational culture that is more inclusive of people from diverse backgrounds, and racially and culturally underrepresented groups and to sustain efforts to incorporate diversity and inclusion into the organization’s fabric. The committee’s work is informed by the work of the President’s Advisory Council on Race and an organizational assessment conducted in 2022.
Committee members
Kathleen S. Heckman
Interim Vice President
Division of University Advancement
1118 Kimball Tower, South Campus, Buffalo, NY 14214
Phone: (716) 645-3725; Fax: (716) 645-3724
Email: kheckman@buffalo.edu
Wendy M. Irving
Associate Vice President for Planned Giving
1110 Kimball Tower, South Campus, Buffalo, NY 14214
Phone: (716) 881-7484; Fax: (716) 829-6067
Email: irving@buffalo.edu
Judith A. Mackey
Associate Director of Human Resources
1014 Kimball Tower, South Campus, Buffalo, NY 14214
Phone: (716) 645-1526; Fax: (716) 829-5110
Email: jmackey@buffalo.edu
Thomas McArthur
Associate Vice President for Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving
Division of University Advancement
201F Harriman Hall, South Campus, Buffalo, NY 14214
Phone: (716) 645-3313; Fax: (716) 826-2515
Email: tm53@buffalo.edu
Kara L. O'Neil
Prospect Research Analyst
Emilie Rosenbluth Vertalino
Director of Advancement, School of Law
411 O'Brian Hall, North Campus, Buffalo, NY 14260
Phone: (716) 645-2113; Fax: (716) 645-3646
Email: ebrosenb@buffalo.edu
Jennifer M. Silverman-Van Treese
Director of Donor Recognition Programs
1033 Kimball Tower, South Campus, Buffalo, NY 14214
Phone: (716) 881-7482; Fax: (716) 829-5110
Email: js433@buffalo.edu
Supporting EDI at the University at Buffalo
The Campus Culture Survey results, information on the Common Data Set (CDS) Initiative and the University Factbook can all be found in Data and Demographic Information.
Resources at UB for faculty and students engaged in research focused on issues of diversity, equity justice and inclusion.
Initiatives and resources at the University at Buffalo to further our goal of diversifying our faculty.
Celebrations recognizing the contributions, achievements and struggles of marginalized groups including Hispanic Heritage Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Native American/American Indian Heritage Month, African American/Black History Month, Women’s History Month, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month, Asian Pacific Heritage Month and Jewish American Heritage Month.
There are many departments and offices at UB that provide resources, services, events and support related to equity and inclusion for students, faculty and staff. Here are some of our campus partners working to enhance inclusive excellence across campus.
Inclusive Pedagogy is a student-centered approach to teaching that employs innovative course design and teaching methods to cultivate a classroom or remote learning environment that helps everyone feel respected and empowered to achieve their highest potential.
Groups, academic resources, community resources and additional UB resources for LGBTQ+ students, faculty and staff.
The mission of the Office of the Vice President for Inclusive Excellence (VPIX) is to promote excellence in all aspects of UB’s operations by facilitating processes that remove barriers to access and advancement on the basis of race, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion, disability or veteran status for students, faculty and staff. Excellence—embracing and exhibiting the highest level of quality in research, teaching and service—can only be achieved when diverse perspectives are engaged.
UB and SUNY are committed to ensuring that our campus community is inclusive, equitable and fair. We have provided a selection of inclusive excellence-related policies and reports.
The President's Advisory Council on Race is comprised of University at Buffalo faculty, staff, students and alumni. Each member brings their own unique expertise and experience to the council to help guide the university's progress in realizing the ideals of equity, diversity, inclusion and social justice.
Schools and units across the university offer programs and resources to foster inclusive excellence for their faculty, staff and students.
At the University at Buffalo, we strive to create a safe and inclusive research and learning environment. Students, trainees, faculty members and staff members have the right to learn, teach and work in a setting free of mistreatment, harassment and discrimination. If you have concerns related to treatment you have received from others, we have processes in place to provide you with the resolutions.
UB is committed to achieving inclusive excellence in a deliberate, intentional and coordinated fashion, embedding it in every aspect of our operations. We aspire to foster a healthy, productive, ethical, fair and affirming campus community to allow all students, faculty and staff to thrive and realize their full potential.
Videos that focus on important diversity and inclusion issues as a resource for classes, events or for personal education.
