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.]()
![Christina Hernandez.]()
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 14260Phone: (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 14260Phone: (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.]()
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 14260Phone: (716) 645-2982
Education Experience Affiliations Recognition - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education
- American College Health Association
- NAC Athletic Conference
![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 14260Phone: (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)
![Trung Nguyen headshot.]()
Trung Nguyen, Ed.D
Assistant Vice President for Student Engagement and Success
Developing and implementing a student experience that builds community, satisfaction, affinity and a sense of belonging.
University at Buffalo
150 Student Union
Buffalo, NY 14260Phone: (716) 645-6026
Education Experience Affiliations Recognition - Association for Orientation, Transitions and Retention in Higher Education (NODA)
- College Student Educators International (ACPA)
- National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition (NRC)
- New Leadership Academy (NLA)
![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 14260Phone: (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 14260Phone: (716) 645-6404
![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 14260Phone: (716) 645-2982
![Headshot of Claire Vlachos.]()
Claire Vlachos
Office Assistant
Student Engagement and Success
University at Buffalo
150 Student Union
Buffalo, NY 14260Phone: (716) 645-2126
Directors
![Kevin Ahuna headshot.]()
![Kevin Ahuna.]()
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 14260Phone: (716) 645-2434
Education Experience Affiliations - American College Personnel Association (ACPA)
![Matthew Ardila-Weigand headshot.]()
Director, Orientation, Transition and Parent Programs
Making the transition to UB easier by connecting new students with the people and resources they need to succeed.
University at Buffalo
112 Student Union
Buffalo, NY 14260Phone: (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.]()
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 14261Phone: (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 14260Phone: (716) 645-8111
Education Experience Affiliations Recognition - Global Consortium for Entrepreneurship Centers (GCEC)
- Blackstone LaunchPad Network
![Colleen Connolly headshot.]()
![Elizabeth Lidano.]()
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 14260Phone: (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 14260Phone: (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.]()
![Christina Hernandez.]()
University at Buffalo
407 Capen Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260Phone: (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 of Sharon Mitchell.]()
![Sharon Mitchell.]()
Interim 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 14261Phone: (716) 645-2720 or 829-5800
Education Experience Affiliations - American Psychological Association (APA)
- American College Health Association (ACHA)
- Association of University and College Counseling Center Directors (AUCCCD)
- Association for the Coordination of Counseling Center Clinical Services (ACCCCS)
![Headshot for Brian Haggarty.]()
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 14261Phone: (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
![Kristin Harte headshot.]()
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 14260Phone: (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.]()
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 14260Phone: (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.]()
![Beth Rogan.]()
Unit Business Officer
Provides strategic financial leadership to enhance financial planning, operations, efficiency, and effectiveness.
University at Buffalo
221E Red Jacket
Buffalo, NY 14261Phone: (716) 645-7380
Education Experience Affiliations Recognition - National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO)
- Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)
![temp placeholder.]()
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 14260Phone: (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 14260Phone: (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)
- UB Child Care Center, Board of Directors, 2009-2015
![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 14260Phone: (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 14260Phone: (716) 645-6045
Education Experience Affiliations Recognition - National Association College & University Business Officers (NACUBO)
![Dan Ryan headshot.]()
![Dan Ryan.]()
Director, Veteran Services
Providing assistance with veterans’ benefits, academic policies and access to campus resources.
University at Buffalo
321 Student Union
Buffalo, NY 14260Phone: (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.]()
Director, Career Design Center
Providing students with career experiences to prepare for life after college.
University at Buffalo
259 Capen Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260Phone: (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 14226Phone: (716) 829-3316
Education Experience Affiliations Recognition - American College Health Association (ACHA)
- SUNY Health Council
![Headshot of 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 14261Phone: (716) 645-2171
Education Experience Affiliations - Leadership in Educational Facilities (APPA)
- Association of College and University Housing Officers International (ACUHO-I)
