Faculty Profile

Luis Colon, wearing a suit and tie, stands in front of a brick facade.

Luis Colon

SUNY Distinguished Professor
Chemistry
lacolon@buffalo.edu

Education:

  • PhD, Chemistry, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 1991

Professional experience:

  • Chair, Department of Chemistry, University at Buffalo
  • Associate Dean for Graduate and Postdoctoral Education, The Graduate School, University at Buffalo
  • Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Buffalo

What mentoring means to me:

Mentoring is a trusted relationship to share knowledge and experiences. There is support, guidance, and a sense of sharing those experiences that can be helpful to others to advance and be successful academically, professionally, or in life in general. It is also a means to give forward what we have learned from our own journeys and mentors. 

Topics I am willing to discuss with students:

Academic Culture

  • Considering a non-academic path after grad school.
  • Decoding and demystifying academic culture and norms.
  • Taking a non-traditional path to grad school.
  • Uncertainty about staying in grad school.

Other Topics

  • First generation students and advanced degrees
  • Feeling like the only one in the crowd

Personal Experiences

  • Experiences related to class and/or socioeconomic status.
  • Experiences related to mental health and/or abilities.
  • Experiences related to racial, ethnic, cultural and/or religious minority status.
  • Financial stress and strain.