UB’s Spectrum hosts Alumni Roundtable

Published September 11, 2026

The Spectrum — UB’s student newspaper — welcomes all to its Spectrum Alumni Roundtable scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17 in 1032 Clemens Hall.

The program, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by the Journalism Certificate Program in the Department of English.

The roundtable discussion brings together four former Spectrum staffers who now are or have been professional journalists to discuss their Spectrum experience and how those experiences relate to their personal and professional journeys.  

“We are thrilled for current students to hear from our journalism alumni how writing for the Spectrum prepared them for a variety of exciting careers.,” says Allison Siehnel, clinical assistant professor in the Department of English and interim director of the journalism certificate program.

On the panel:

  • Tracey Drury, senior reporter at Buffalo Business First covering the business of health care and nonprofits. Drury also reports on restaurants and Buffalo’s hospitality business. Drury’s work earned recognition from numerous local and state agencies, including the New York Press Association and the Developmental Disabilities Association of New York State.
  • Carrie A, Liberante, executive director of communications and marketing in UB’s Division of Advancement. Liberante has a master’s degree from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. She has been a reporter, city editor and bureau chief for newspapers in Sunbury, Pa., and Syracuse, and has freelanced for the Miami Herald and South Florida Sun Sentinel. erald and the Spouth Fliorda Sumn Sentinel.
  • Keith McShea, a reporter and editor in The Buffalo News’ sports department for more than 20 years. McShea is now director of communications at Canisius High School and is in his 14th year of teaching in the journalism certificate program at UB.
  • Sara Paulson Meehan, managing editor for Buffalo Business First. Paulson Meehan worked in numerous roles, working 15 years at The Buffalo News before joining Buffalo Business First in 2020. She oversees daily newsroom operations, digital strategy, and numerous special publications and awards programs.

For more information contact Siehnel at asiehnel@buffalo.edu.