Staff

Our highly experienced leadership team provides strategic insight and guidance for all of Student Life, while departmental directors focus on specific areas of service.

Leadership Team

  • Brian Hamluk, PhD, vice president of Student Life.

    Brian Hamluk, EdD

    Vice President for Student Life

    Providing oversight and leadership to the units within Student Life to ensure students have the support and resources they need to thrive at the university and beyond.

    University at Buffalo
    520 Capen Hall
    Buffalo, NY 14260

    Phone: (716) 645-6404

    Education Experience Affiliations Recognition
    • National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)
    • American College Personnel Association (ACPA)
  • Christina Hernandez headshot.

    Christina Hernandez

    Senior Associate Vice President, Student Life

    Providing strategic leadership across a diverse portfolio of administrative and auxiliary services. Deeply committed to ensuring every operational area contributes to a positive and supportive student and campus community experience.

    University at Buffalo
    520 Capen Hall
    Buffalo, NY 14260

    Phone: (716) 645-3170

    Education Experience Affiliations Recognition
    •  Eastern Association of College and University Business Officers (EACUBO) 
    • National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)
    • National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO)
    • Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
  • Tomas Aguirre headshot.

    Tomás Aguirre, PhD

    Dean of Students

    Responsible for the day-to-day management of many Student Life units, helping to shape the campus experience for countless students, faculty and staff.

    University at Buffalo
    315 Student Union
    Buffalo, NY 14260

    Phone: (716) 645-2982

    Education Experience Affiliations Recognition
    • Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education
    • American College Health Association
    • NAC Athletic Conference
  • Amy Falvo headshot.

    Amy Falvo, PhD

    Assistant Vice President for Health and Wellness

    Helping UB students manage college — and life — by promoting student wellbeing and academic success with an emphasis on health promotion, emotional and mental support, and the delivery of high quality medical services.

    University at Buffalo
    120 Richmond Quad
    Buffalo, NY 14261

    Phone: (716) 645-2382

    Education Experience Affiliations
    • National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)
    • American College Health Association (ACHA)
  • John Lambert headshot.

    John Lambert

    Assistant Vice President

    Marketing, Communications & External Engagement
    Providing leadership and institutional-level guidance to the internal and external marketing initiatives within Student Life.

    University at Buffalo
    252 Capen Hall
    Buffalo, NY 14260

    Phone: (716) 645-3602

    Education Experience Affiliations Recognition
    • American Marketing Association (AMA)
    • Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE)
    • National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)
    • Buffalo Niagara Sports Commission Advisory Board
    • Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame Board (2007-2022)
  • Erin O'Brien headshot.
    Christina Hernandez.

    Erin O'Brien, PhD

    Chief Student Retention Innovation Officer

    Charged with developing and executing a comprehensive, university-wide Student Experience (SX) strategy, creating an effective student First Year Experience (FYE), and improving university student retention rates.

    University at Buffalo
    524A Capen Hall
    Buffalo, NY 14260

    Phone: (716) 645-3396

    Education Experience Affiliations Recognition
    • 2018-Present: The Buffalo Seminary, Vice Chair/Interim Chair, Trustee
    • 2017-Present: Liaison International Business CAS Advisory Board Member
    • 2015-2018:  Educational Testing Service (ETS) Business School Advisory Council
    • 2014-2017: Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) Leadership Advisory Board Member
    • 2008-2017: University at Buffalo School of Management Alumni Board of Directors, Officer
  • Lisa Bolt headshot.

    Lisa T. Bolt

    Administrative Assistant to the Vice President

    Office of the Vice President for Student Life

    University at Buffalo
    520 Capen Hall
    Buffalo, NY 14260

    Phone: (716) 645-6404

  • Adrienne Giordano headshot.

    Adrienne Giordano

    Office Assistant

    Student Health and Wellness

    University at Buffalo
    104 Richmond Quad
    Buffalo, NY 14260

    Phone: (716) 645-2397

  • Carmella Marinaccio headshot.

    Carmella Marinaccio

    Administrative Assistant to the Dean of Students

    Office of the Vice President for Student Life

    University at Buffalo
    315 Student Union
    Buffalo, NY 14260

    Phone: (716) 645-2982

  • Headshot of Claire Vlachos.

    Claire Vlachos

    Office Assistant

    Student Engagement and Success

    University at Buffalo
    150 Student Union
    Buffalo, NY 14260

    Phone: (716) 645-2126

Directors

  • Kevin Ahuna headshot.

    Kevin Ahuna, PhD

    Director, Intercultural and Diversity Center

    Supporting all students on campus and creating a strong sense of belonging by celebrating differences as proudly as we celebrate commonalities.

    University at Buffalo
    240 Student Union
    Buffalo, NY 14260

    Phone: (716) 645-2434

    Education Experience Affiliations
    • American College Personnel Association (ACPA)
  • Matthew Ardila-Weigand headshot.

    Matt Ardila-Weigand, PhD

    Director, Parent and Family Programs

    Helping build strong student support networks at UB by connecting parents and families with the people and resources they need to help their students succeed.

    University at Buffalo
    112 Student Union
    Buffalo, NY 14260

    Phone: (716) 645-6125

    Education Experience Affiliations Recognition
    • College Student Educators International (ACPA)
    • Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA)
    • Association for Orientation, Transition and Retention in Higher Education (NODA)
  • Eric Blackledge headshot.

    Eric Blackledge

    Executive Director, Campus Dining and Shops

    Meeting the varied needs of the UB community through innovative restaurants, convenient shopping options, and the multipurpose UB Card.

    University at Buffalo
    146 Fargo Quad
    Buffalo, NY 14261

    Phone: (716) 645-2521

    Education Experience Affiliations
    • National Association of Collage and University Food Service (NACUFS)
    • Western New York Restaurant Association, board member
  • Hadar Borden headshot.

    Hadar Borden

    Program Director, Startup and Innovation Collaboratory; and WNY Prosperity Fellowship Program

    Introducing entrepreneurship as a viable career path through coaching, venture creation support and fellowship opportunities.

    University at Buffalo
    340 Student Union
    Buffalo, New York 14260

    Phone: (716) 645-8111

    Education Experience Affiliations Recognition
    • Global Consortium for Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC)
    • Blackstone LaunchPad Network
  • Headshot of Dr. Nehemiah J. Chung.

    Nehemiah J. Chung, PhD

    Director of Orientation and Transition

    University at Buffalo
    112 Student Union
    Buffalo, NY 14260

    Phone: (716) 645-645-6125

    Education Experience Affiliations Recognition

    Current:

    • National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)
    • National Orientation Directors Association (NODA)
  • Colleen Connolly headshot.

    Colleen Connolly

    Director, Student Support and Resources

    Coordinating institutional response and support for student concerns and guidance to partners in student success.

    University at Buffalo
    315 Student Union
    Buffalo, NY 14260

    Phone: (716) 645-2982

    Education Experience Affiliations Recognition
    • Higher Education Case Managers Association (HECMA)
    • National Association for Behavioral Intervention and Threat Assessment (NABITA)
    • Association for Student Conduct Association (ASCA)
    • SUNY Conduct Institute
  • Phyllis Floro headshot.

    Phyllis Floro

    Director, Student Engagement

    Giving students the opportunity to make positive change by developing an understanding of themselves, others and their community through active citizenship.

    University at Buffalo
    150 Student Union
    Buffalo, NY 14260

    Phone: (716) 645-6469

    Education Experience Affiliations Recognition

    Current:

    • National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)
    • American College Personnel Association (ACPA)
    • College Student Personnel Association of New York State (CSPA-NYS)
    • New York State Cooperative & Experiential Education Association (NYSCEEA)

    Past:

    • Association of College Unions International (ACUI)
    • National Orientation Directors Association (NODA)
    • Western New York Multicultural Collaboration Coalition
    • National Conference on Race & Ethnicity in American Higher Education
  • Kesha Foster headshot.

    Kesha Foster

    Director of Human Resources and Unit Diversity Officer

    University at Buffalo
    407 Capen Hall
    Buffalo, NY 14260

    Phone: (716) 645-2376

    Education Experience Affiliations Recognition
    • Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
    • College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR)
    • Association on Higher Education And Disability (AHEAD)
    • National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)
    • Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC)
  • Headshot for Brian Haggarty.

    Brian Haggerty

    Director of Residential Life, Campus Living

    Creating dynamic residential communities — including residence halls and apartments — that support academic and personal success.

    University at Buffalo
    106 Red Jacket Quad
    Buffalo, NY 14261

    Phone: (716) 645-2171

    Education Experience Affiliations Recognition
    • American College Personnel Association (ACPA)
    • National Association for Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)
    • College Student Personnel Association of New York State (CSPA-NYS), Inc.
    • SUNY Residence Life & Housing Administrators (SUNYRLHA)
      • Executive Board – University Centers Representative
      • Chair, Professional Development Committee
    • Journal of College and University Student Housing
      • Editorial Board
    • New York State Journal of Student Affairs
      • Editorial Board
    • Toastmasters International
  • Headshot of Holly Harmon, Director of Counseling Services.

    Holly Harmon, PhD

    Director, Counseling Services

    Counseling Services offers a variety of therapy options, self-help resources, outreach events, and educational workshops.

    University at Buffalo
    120 Richmond Quad
    Buffalo, NY 14261

    Phone: (716) 645-2720 or 829-5800

    Education Experience Affiliations Recognition
    • Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors (AUCCCD)
    • National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
    • American Association of Suicidology (AAS)
    • Ohio Counseling Association (OCA)
    • Ohio College Counseling Association (OCCA)
  • Kristin Harte headshot.

    Kristin Harte

    Director, Accessibility Resources

    Providing a variety of accommodations for students with disabilities, including interpreters, assistive technology and accessible course materials.

    University at Buffalo
    60 Capen Hall
    Buffalo, NY 14260

    Phone: (716) 645-2608

    Education Experience Affiliations
    • National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)
    • American College Personnel Association (ACPA)
    • Western New York Collegiate Consortium of Disability Advocates (WNYCCDA)
    • New York State Disability Services Council (NYSDSC)
    • Associate on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD)
  • Dan Kaczmarek headshot.

    Daniel Kaczmarek

    Director, Assessment and Research

    Supports the values and goals of Student Life by providing timely and reliable information regarding operations and performance.

    University at Buffalo
    323 Student Union
    Buffalo, NY 14260

    Phone: (716) 645-3133

    Education Experience Affiliations
    • American College Personnel Association (ACPA)
    • ACPA Commission for Assessment and Evaluation Directorate, Board Member (2019-22)
    • National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)
    • Student Affairs Assessment Leaders (SAAL)
    • Assessment Network of New York (ANNY)
    • UB LGBTQ Faculty Staff Association, Membership Coordinator (2021-23)
  • Larissa Kowalczyk headshot.

    Larissa Kowalczyk

    Unit Business Officer

    Provides strategic financial leadership to enhance financial planning, operations, efficiency, and effectiveness.

    University at Buffalo
    221E Red Jacket
    Buffalo, NY 14261

    Phone: (716) 645-7380

    Education Experience Affiliations Recognition
    • National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO)
    • Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)
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    Susan Kurowski

    Director, Student Unions

    Providing welcoming space, services and facilities to support events, activities, and the needs of our students, faculty, staff and visitors.

    University at Buffalo
    233 Student Union
    Buffalo, New York 14260

    Phone: (716) 645-2055

    Education Experience Affiliations
    •  Association of College Unions International (ACUI)
  • Elizabeth Lidano headshot.

    Elizabeth Lidano

    Director, Student Conduct

    Supporting a safe, positive and just campus environment through regulations, and managing conduct.

    University at Buffalo
    9 Norton Hall
    Buffalo, NY 14260

    Phone: (716) 645-6154

    Education Experience Affiliations Recognition
    • UB Child Care Center, Board of Directors, 2009-2015
      • Vice President, 2015
    • SUNY Conduct Institute
    • Association for Student Conduct Administrators (ASCA)
    • National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)
  • Marla McBride headshot.

    Marla McBride

    Director, Health Promotion

    Promoting long-term wellness by providing a wealth of services related to healthy lifestyles, rape and sexual assault prevention, and stress reduction.

    University at Buffalo
    114 Student Union
    Buffalo, NY 14260

    Phone: (716) 645-2837

    Education Experience Affiliations
    • American College Health Association (ACHA)
    • National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)
  • Beth Rogan headshot.

    Beth Rogan

    Director of Resource Management

    Responsible for administrative support in the areas of resource planning, implementation and stewardship for Student Life.

    University at Buffalo
    407 Capen Hall
    Buffalo, NY 14260

    Phone: (716) 645-6045

    Education Experience Affiliations Recognition
    • National Association College & University Business Officers (NACUBO)
  • Dan Ryan headshot.

    Dan Ryan, PhD

    Director, Veteran Services

    Providing assistance with veterans’ benefits, academic policies and access to campus resources.

    University at Buffalo
    321 Student Union
    Buffalo, NY 14260

    Phone: (716) 829-5586

    Education Experience Affiliations
    • National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)
    • Collegiate Consortium of Military Educators
    • NY Association of College Military Educators
    • Association of Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD)
  • Headshot of Steve Simpson.

    Steven Simpson

    Director, Career Design Center

    Providing students with career experiences to prepare for life after college.

    University at Buffalo
    259 Capen Hall
    Buffalo, NY 14260

    Phone: (716) 645-2231

    Education Experience Affiliations Recognition
    • National Association of Colleges & Employers (NACE)
    • State University of New York Career Development Organization (SUNY CDO)
    • Career Leadership Collective (CLC)
    • Small Business Mentor (SCORE)
  • Susan Snyder headshot.

    Susan Snyder

    Director, Student Health Services

    Offering both urgent and non-urgent medical care for students — including health screenings, clinics and immunizations — regardless of health insurance.

    University at Buffalo
    4350 Maple Rd.
    Buffalo, NY 14226

    Phone: (716) 829-3316

    Education Experience Affiliations Recognition
    • American College Health Association (ACHA)
    • SUNY Health Council
  • Headshot of Gary Thompson.

    Gary Thompson

    Director of Housing Operations, Campus Living

    Creating dynamic residential communities — including residence halls and apartments — that support academic and personal success.

    University at Buffalo
    106 Red Jacket Quad
    Buffalo, NY 14261

    Phone: (716) 645-2171

    Education Experience Affiliations
    • Leadership in Educational Facilities (APPA)
    • Association of College and University Housing Officers International (ACUHO-I)