UB Sophomore Externship Experience wins NASPA Award for Excellence

UB has been nationally recognized for its acclaimed Sophomore Externship Experience (SEE) program, which offers students paid, hands-on, experiential learning opportunities with many of the region’s most prominent companies and organizations.

The National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), the leading association for the advancement, health and sustainability of the student affairs profession, honored UB’s Startup & Innovation Collaboratory (The CoLab) with its Award for Excellence at its annual conference last month in Kansas City, Mo.

CoLab Director Hadar Borden and Strategic Initiatives Director Amy Monin were presented a bronze award in the “Academic Advising, Careers, Graduate, Professional and Related” category.

“Through the Western New York Sophomore Externship Experience program, UB supports the next generation of leaders, introducing students to meaningful opportunities throughout our vibrant community and enhancing the Western New York workforce,” says A. Scott Weber, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “This NASPA award reflects UB’s position as a national innovator in experiential learning and a champion of economic growth throughout the region.”

The SEE program, supported by the Bryant and Prentice family foundations, is an innovative summer initiative designed to bolster early-career employment by educating students about professional opportunities available right here at home.

“Thanks to the generous support of the Bryant and Prentice family foundations, this program has achieved tremendous success and continues to build strong momentum, benefiting a wide spectrum of students, area businesses and not-for-profits,” Borden says. “We are helping them discover one another, and both students and employers are routinely surprised to discover the amazing talent and opportunities that exist right in their backyard. It’s allowing our communities to recruit and retain our very best talent.”

Now in year three, WNY SEE is designed for those who have completed their fourth semester of college. This summer, the program will place 100 student externs with organizations across Western New York. It is open to those attending any institution within Western New York’s eight counties — or those who graduated from any high school in Western New York, regardless of where they pursue their degrees.

Participating organizations host students who work on-site Monday through Thursday for 20 hours in June and July, learning about the employer and contributing to their projects. Then, on Fridays, students come together to share their experiences, develop professionally and discover commercial hubs and up-and-coming districts via UB-led tours and presentations.

“This program is a strong example of how the University at Buffalo prepares students for success beyond the classroom,” says Brian Hamluk, vice president for student life. “By connecting students with employers early in their academic journey, they gain valuable insights, build confidence and develop essential skills to support their future careers, in addition to strengthening meaningful connections across our region.”

The program is competitive, with more than 350 applicants vying annually for positions, highlighting the quality of students the employers receive. Prior hosts have included M&T Bank, Kaleida Health, West Herr Automotive, ACV Auctions, NOCO, Shea’s Performing Arts Center, FeedMore WNY, The Buffalo Museum of Science and dozens more. This year’s newcomers include Kissing Bridge Ski Resort, The Montante Group and Well Connected, among others. A full list of participating hosts can be found on the WNY SEE website.

“This program can make a difference for tomorrow’s leaders, as well as our region’s businesses and nonprofits,” Monin adds. “Our team is proud to play this role and nurture Western New York’s economic development efforts — and this honor just adds to our excitement to welcome our 2026 cohort in less than three months.”

Student applications for 2026 are now closed, but organizations interested in becoming hosts are still being considered. More information is available on the WNY SEE website or by calling 716-645-8111.