From the Desk of the Vice President

August 19, 2022

Student Life Colleagues,

Another summer has come and gone and it's time to get back to doing what we do best -- supporting our students.

I'm eager to see how we can continue to improve the student experience, while simultaneously navigating a restructured Student Life -- which includes a number of new staff members in our units. We're all in for an exciting semester and I can't wait to see the energy and enthusiasm the students will bring to our campus in just another week.

With that, we have a number of activities planned for Opening 2022, as you saw outlined in our recent Quarterly Forum. These activities provide an opportunity for new experiences among our first-year students, and a chance for renewed True Blue spirit for those returning for another semester. We can't do it without you, and I hope that you will sign up to volunteer at one of these events to showcase the dedication and support we provide.

I'm looking forward to a rich and rewarding semester ahead, filled with fresh energy, new learning opportunities and all the excitement that comes along with the start of a new school year. We are all True Blue!

 As a recognized leader in implementing and facilitating new student programming, Dr. Nguyen has extensive higher education experience with foundations in cultural competency, student development theory, student success models and inclusive practices.

Dr. Nguyen holds an Ed.D in Higher Education Leadership from Texas Christian University, a master’s degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a bachelor’s degree in Public Justice from the State University of New York at Oswego.
 
Please welcome Trung to the UB family and to this important leadership position within the Division of Student Life and our campus community.

UB formally unveiled its new home for Student Health Services on Wednesday, August 10 with an Open House for select faculty and staff who made the new facility possible. The new location at 4350 Maple Road (at Sweet Home Rd.) includes more space and a better layout to provide high-quality student medical care.

The start of the new school year is jam-packed with lots of exciting events created specifically for UB students. Opening programming allows students to meet new friends, try out new activities, participate in long-standing traditions and show off their true blue spirit.

UB senior Mallory Drews was selected as the 2022 recipient of the Gregory Capasso Memorial Award for Creative Writing.

The award recognizes an outstanding senior who wants to pursue a career in writing, editing and marketing. A creative writing major with a minor in law, Mallory interned in our Marketing and Communications office prior to graduation.

May 15, 2022

Dear Colleagues,

I am reaching out to you today in response to the tragic and deeply disturbing events that occurred yesterday at Tops Markets in the city of Buffalo. While I’m certain we will find out more information regarding this horrific, racially-motived crime in the weeks to come, I want to reiterate the message from President Tripathi, which was issued last night.

There are a number of resources available to both students, employees, and our campus community to help process the trauma, grief, pain, and fear that we all may be feeling.

For Students:

As outlined in the President’s message, our staff in Counseling Services is available to help students process yesterday’s tragic event. In addition, the Intercultural and Diversity Center offers a safe space for students in need of support.

For Employees and Campus Community:

University resources for employees and their families include UB’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which provides confidential consultations, 1-on-1 meetings, and referrals to specialists. 

There are numerous resources also available through Erie County and partner agencies. If you are in need of immediate help or community resources, call 211 or text your zip code to 898-211. There are multiple opportunities to support the community and we encourage you to do so in a way that is meaningful to you.

Please know that our leadership team cares for you and stands with you. Our Director of Human Resources and Unit Diversity Officer, Kesha Foster will have the following open hours this week in the Intercultural Diversity Center (240 Student Union) to provide additional care and support:  

• Monday 5/16: 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Tuesday 5/17:  9 - 11 a.m.
• Wednesday 5/18: 3 - 4:30 p.m.

Kesha can also schedule individual appointments if someone would like support on a different day or time. 

In closing, as we grieve together, it’s important that we continue to support our students and staff at this crucial moment. As a team, let’s work together to continue to provide the best possible care and support during the difficult days and weeks ahead.

Sincerely,

Brian F. Hamluk

Vice President for Student Life

April 1, 2022

Student Life Colleagues,

 And just like that...

It seems like just yesterday I was stepping onto campus for the first time, excited about what we could accomplish together. And while many things have stayed the same over the last year or so, we have seen a lot of change – namely our campus feeling like it's back to normal. While I remain cautiously optimistic as we gear up for commencement season and warmer weather, I am eager to see the excitement from our students, with or without masks.

The most visible addition to campus has been One World Café and it's already making a positive impact on the student experience. On any given day, there are hundreds of students studying or socializing in the space, bringing new energy to campus. I'm also excited about the upcoming changes to our Student Life staffing structure, as I outlined in our last Quarterly Forum. While the next few months will present some bittersweet moments, including celebrating the distinguished career and retirement of Barb Ricotta, I am also excited about new additions to our staff, beginning with the hiring of Kesha Foster as our inaugural Director of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer. We have a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks and months, and I couldn't do it without you.

Sincerely,

Brian F. Hamluk
Vice President for Student Life

December 17, 2021

Dear Student Life Colleagues,

As our fall semester draws to a close, I want to express my thanks to each of you for your efforts over the past few months and throughout 2021. Although faced with many challenges, we successfully returned to a place-based institution, while providing students with the UB experience they wanted and deserved. Without the collective effort of our entire staff, I know this would not have been possible. Please know how grateful I am of your continued efforts.

I wish everyone a happy holiday season, and I look forward to our continued collaboration in the new year, as we work to advance our student experience on campus.

All the best for a great 2022 to come,

Brian F. Hamluk
Vice President for Student Life

September 3, 2021

Dear Colleagues, 

I wanted to send a sincere thank you and congratulations for the hard work put forth in making this year's Welcome Weekend and Opening Week a huge success. Our events marked the start of a semester unlike any other and I hope it's an indicator of the many memorable moments to come this fall.

Together, we welcomed thousands of students to a variety of engaging events including the iconic Interlocking UB, Welcome Carnival, Campus Fest, a late night dance party, Bulls Welcome Back Blast and our student tailgate party last night.

Thanks again for all of your support during my first few months on campus. I'm confident our students had a great kickoff to the fall semester and appreciate the effort you put towards making their UB experience memorable.

Sincerely,

Brian F. Hamluk
Vice President for Student Life

July 1, 2021

Good Afternoon Student Life Colleagues,

Thanks again to all of you who participated in our Student Life Professional Development Conference this week. It's critical that our journey does not end here, and I challenge you to think about how we can take this conversation to enact real, measurable outcomes on campus.

Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with some of our UB students and experience the genuine enthusiasm they have about the upcoming return to campus. The excitement is contagious and I share their passion in seeing campus alive and bustling once again. I am extremely excited for the upcoming academic year and returning to an in-person living and learning environment. 

The University at Buffalo student experience is critical. It is in part why our students selected UB and is invaluable to their development of being productive contributors to society. The same can be said for fostering connections and a lifelong commitment to their alma mater. The work that we do now and the student experience we provide today, pays dividends to our students individually and our institution collectively for years to come.

As Student Life professionals, we play a pivotal role in that student experience. Whether it is the major initiatives or the smaller individual interactions, our work with students is essential to their growth and development. When I come to campus each day, I am energized to see our staff transitioning towards a return to a thriving, vibrant, in-person atmosphere where we are once again working side by side with our students to guide their experience. I can't wait to see what you have planned for the fall, and look forward to stopping by some of your fall programming.

In closing, I hope that everyone has a great 4^th of July holiday weekend and continues to enjoy their summer. We will all be back together on campus soon, and I'm excited to have our entire UB community at home once again.

Sincerely,

Brian F. Hamluk
Vice President for Student Life

June 4, 2021

Dear Student Life Colleagues, 

As I conclude my first full week here at UB, I am extremely excited to be in Buffalo and honored to lead Student Life during this pivotal time. I genuinely appreciate your efforts during this challenging year and look forward to slowly returning to a vibrant, in-person campus this fall.

With that said, I am also looking forward to meeting all of you. I've had the opportunity to briefly visit some of our Student Life areas over the past few days, and in the coming weeks will begin my departmental Meet and Greets. These meetings will give me the opportunity to personally visit your area, meet our staff, and get a better understanding of the outstanding services we collectively provide our students.

As I personally take time to reflect on week one, I can’t help but be energized by the tremendous impact we all have in Student Life. What I anticipated from the search process has proven true - UB is a special place.

Thanks again for providing me with this great opportunity to lead, collaborate and ultimately enhance the experience for the students we serve.

With Gratitude,

Brian F. Hamluk
Vice President for Student Life