State education commissioner to speak at UB May 1

Published April 15, 2019

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UB will host a public presentation by New York State Commissioner of Education MaryEllen Elia, who will discuss current education initiatives and future plans for the State Education Department.

Elia's visit is set for May 1 in the Center for Tomorrow, North Campus. There will be a reception at 5:30 p.m., and Elia's presentation will begin around 6. Audience members will have an opportunity to ask questions afterward.

The visit came about through the efforts of UB’s Graduate School of Education and the school’s Alumni Association.

“We wanted to hear about current initiatives, programs and practices coming out of the State Education Department. We’re at a period of a lot of change in education,” says John E. McKenna, president of the Graduate School of Education’s Alumni Association and assistant superintendent in the Williamsville Central School District.

“There is no one better to hear from about changes in programs and policies than the commissioner of education,” said McKenna, who was instrumental in arranging Elia’s UB visit.

Elia is a 1974 alumna of the Graduate School of Education. GSE will also present Elia with an honorary award for distinguished service and outstanding contributions to the education profession.