Leading the Student Experience

Vice President for Student Life, Brian Hamluk meeting with students on campus.

Student Life is committed to supporting the academic and personal development of students attending the University at Buffalo.

Meet Brian F. Hamluk, Vice President for Student Life

Since his arrival on campus in the summer of 2021, Brian Hamluk has provided transformational leadership and an innovative approach to the student experience, navigating the division into one of the most exciting periods in recent decades.

As vice president for Student Life, he leads the departments, units, programs and services that advance the university experience outside the classroom for UB’s more than 30,000 students. Under Hamluk’s leadership, Student Life continues to develop and grow the critical resources and ongoing support necessary to ensure all students are supported and thrive on their UB journey. 

Brian Hamluk.
“At the University at Buffalo, we are committed to fostering a shared experience where students lead, grow, and inspire – because thriving at UB not only champions academic success, but celebrates the unforgettable moments and impactful connections that last a lifetime.”
3/3/26

Brian F. Hamluk, Vice President for Student Life

A Demonstrated Record of Success

Hamluk’s tenure in Student Life includes the following notable achievements:

Establishing Divisional Strategic Priorities

Emphasis targeted towards four key growth areas, student engagement and success, health and wellness, student support and diversity, equity, inclusion and justice.

Making Student Wellness a Priority

In 2022, Student Life launched "Taking Care" an innovative wellness program providing students with enhanced resources, backed by more than $1 million in additional annual investments.

Visit Taking Care

Emphasis on Post-graduation Success

With an investment of over $1.5 million in post-graduation success, the Division of Student Life has expanded staffing and resources in the areas of the StartUp and Innovation Collaboratory and the Career Design Center to support students' entrepreneurial and career endeavors.

Read more about the Startup and Innovation CoLab
Learn more about the Career Design Center
Zoom image: outer entrance of the Startup and Innovation CoLab space. outer entrance of the Startup and Innovation CoLab space.

Record-setting Fundraising

Connecting divisional priorities with an engaged donor base, over the past five years Student Life has raised more than $5 million dollars in support of Student Life’s strategic priorities.

Give to Student Life

Capital Facility Investments

Strategic emphasis into transforming the facilities footprint over time by multi-year upgrades to key student experience areas:

Student Health Center

A historic relocation from South Campus, to a new state-of-the-art Student Health facility, located just minutes from the UB North Campus. 

Opened in 2022, the UB Student Health Center boasts a spacious reception area, comfortable exam rooms and a rapid testing lab.

Visit Student Health Services
Zoom image: The UB community gathers for the grand opening of the Student Health Services center, located at 4350 Maple Road, near Sweet Home Road, in August 2022. Cutting the ribbon from left, Provost A. Scott Weber; Sharon Mitchell, senior director of student wellness; Susan Snyder, director, Student Health Services; Brian Hamluk, vice president for student life; Mary Stock, clinical assistant professor and senior physician; and Paula Taton, clinic manager. Photographer: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki The UB community gathers for the grand opening of the Student Health Services center, located at 4350 Maple Road, near Sweet Home Road, in August 2022. Cutting the ribbon from left, Provost A. Scott Weber; Sharon Mitchell, senior director of student wellness; Susan Snyder, director, Student Health Services; Brian Hamluk, vice president for student life; Mary Stock, clinical assistant professor and senior physician; and Paula Taton, clinic manager. Photographer: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki.

One World Café

Dedicated in 2023, this $45 million dollar award-winning campus eatery features international food, drinks and snacks. 

See One World Café
Zoom image: UB formally celebrated the opening of the One World Café campus hub and dining facility with an event and ribbon cutting in March 2022. Photographer: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki UB formally celebrated the opening of the One World Café campus hub and dining facility with an event and ribbon cutting in March 2022. Photographer: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki.
Zoom image: Students and others meet, study, and socialize in the spaces of One World Café in March 2022. Photographer: Douglas Levere Students and others meet, study, and socialize in the spaces of One World Café in March 2022. Photographer: Douglas Levere.

Red Jacket Esports Lounge

The 2023 design and launch of a $2 million dollar North Campus residence hall Esports student lounge provides additional recreation space and a sense of community for students living on campus.

Esports at UB
Zoom image: Student gaming on a computer in the esports lounge. Student gaming on a computer in the esports lounge.

Student Food Pantry – Blue Table

An innovative campus food pantry was upgraded and streamlined in 2024 to better meet the emerging needs of the campus community. 

Read more about Blue Table
Zoom image: The Blue Table food pantry hosted an open house in January 2024 showcasing its newly renovated space, expanded operating hours and enhanced services inside the Student Union. The pantry was established in respond to a gubernatorial initiative, No Student Goes Hungry. Photographer: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki The Blue Table food pantry hosted an open house in January 2024 showcasing its newly renovated space, expanded operating hours and enhanced services inside the Student Union. The pantry was established in respond to a gubernatorial initiative, No Student Goes Hungry. Photographer: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki.

South Campus Housing Revitalization

In 2024, the transformation of UB’s historic South Campus residence halls into modern, apartment-style housing with a $36 million dollar investment to meet the growing needs of UB’s resident student population. 

Living on South Campus
Zoom image: Students move into Goodyear and Clement Halls on the South Campus in late August 2024. \r\rPhotographer: Douglas Levere Students move into Goodyear and Clement Halls on the South Campus in late August 2024. \r\rPhotographer: Douglas Levere.

The Landing at Ellicott

Opened in the fall 2024, a $26 million welcome addition to UB’s largest residence hall complex on the north campus, featuring student lounges, a courtyard patio and popular “social staircase “ to encourage community. 

Read more about the Landing at Ellicott
Zoom image: Overhead view of attendees at the opening of the Landing at Ellicott. Overhead view of attendees at the opening of the Landing at Ellicott.

Providing Equitable Experiences for All

$1 million has been earmarked annually in support of Accessibility Resources to champion the accessibility and diversity of our student body. In addition, in the fall of 2025, UB’s first ever LGBTQ+ Student Center opened, located in the North Campus Student Union.

Zoom image: Student using assistive technology with a computer. Student using assistive technology with a computer.
Zoom image: Event held in the LGBTQ+ Resources Center. Event held in the LGBTQ+ Resources Center.
Zoom image: Student putting a rainbow bead bracelet on another student's arm. Student putting a rainbow bead bracelet on another student's arm.

North Campus Student Union

2025 also saw the completion of phase one of a comprehensive multi-phase renovation to UB’s North Campus Student Union, creating a more student-friendly experience and encourage community-building. Included in this project was updating the entrances to both Veteran Services and the Dean of Students suite.

Read more about the North Campus Student Union
Zoom image: Students enjoy the newly renovated Student Union lobby area on the first day of classes for the fall semester in August 2024. Photographer: Douglas Levere Students enjoy the newly renovated Student Union lobby area on the first day of classes for the fall semester in August 2024. Photographer: Douglas Levere.
Zoom image: Entry to Veteran Services in the Student Union. Entry to Veteran Services in the Student Union.
Zoom image: Entry to the Dean of Students office in the Student Union. Entry to the Dean of Students office in the Student Union.

Visual Identity Enhancements

Working alongside cross-divisional university partners, in 2026 Student Life invested in reimagining the Student Union as a welcoming “campus living room” at the heart of North Campus and make the space feel unmistakably UB. Highlights include: an 8-foot tall, illuminated spirit mark, a True Blue brand moment built from dimensional steel and a Horns Up selfie station.

Zoom image: New UB Spirit Mark in the Student Union. New UB Spirit Mark in the Student Union.
Zoom image: New True Blue in the Student Union. New True Blue in the Student Union.
Zoom image: New Horns Up in the Student Union. New Horns Up in the Student Union.

Focused on the Future

Hamluk is also leading multiple high-profile future initiatives to strengthen the UB campus and enhance the overall student experience. These initiatives include:

Student Wellness as a Priority

During Hamluk's tenure, more than $1 million has been strategically invested in the areas of Student Health Services, Health Promotion, Counseling Services, and Financial Wellness.  

Read more about the Wellness and Recreation initiative

Clark Hall Renovation

In terms of capital investment, in 2026, Clark Hall, the historic South Campus recreation facility is approaching the completion of the design phase of a $93 million renovation. The tentative completion date of this major Student Life initiative is fall 2029. In addition, preliminary campus planning is ongoing to develop a state-of-the-art recreation and wellness center on the North Campus.

Read more about the Clark Hall renovation
Zoom image: Exterior rendering of the renovated Clark Hall. Exterior rendering of the renovated Clark Hall.
Zoom image: A cut-away view of renovated spaces inside Clark Hall and the new addition. A cut-away view of renovated spaces inside Clark Hall and the new addition.
Zoom image: Rendering of the renovated swimming pool in Clark Hall. Rendering of the renovated swimming pool in Clark Hall.
What our students are saying
Headshot of Assistant Hall Director of Wilkeson, Kingsley Arthur.
“Campus Living brings together students from diverse backgrounds, offering a space where shared experiences turn into lifelong friendships. When you live on campus, support is always nearby. ”
10/28/25

Kingsley, Assistant Hall Director of Richmond Quad

Jaylean Ureña.
“I have UB to thank for my current job. I connected with the company recruiters at the career fair, which led me to my interview and offer. The communication and teamwork skills UB taught me really stood out to them.”
10/28/25

Jaylean Ureña, ’25

Victoria Wedgewood.
“Marching Band has been a great way to get involved and make the most of my college experience, all while making lifelong friendships.”
10/28/25

Victoria Wedgewood, ’26

Diamond Burzynski.
“UB has helped me grow into the best version of myself as a veteran student. The Veteran Services team has been my biggest support system, always making me feel understood, valued, and at home.”
10/29/25

Diamond Burzynski

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An innovative leader in higher education, Brian is deeply committed to student success “He keenly appreciates that keeping our students at the heart of everything we do is fundamental to UB’s mission of excellence. -- University at Buffalo President Satish Tripathi.

Nationally Recognized

The Division of Student Life is recognized nationally for exceptional achievements in the support of the student experience at the University at Buffalo.

View our achievements >>