We are happy to share the March 2022 edition of our UB Study Abroad Alumni Spotlight series, which highlights the impact that studying abroad, has had on the careers and lives of UB Alumni! Along with sending students abroad this semester to Denmark, France, and on the Semester at Sea Program, I’m happy to add South Korea to the list. Although international travel comes with its challenges, especially during these times, we are happy to report that our students are doing well and enjoying their time overseas.
Meet Alexandria Colling, UB Study Abroad Alumna, and hear her speak about how participating in three study abroad programs (SUNY Brockport – Antarctica Winter 2013 Program, UB – Denmark: Technical University of Denmark Fall 2013 Program, and SUNY Albany – Finland: Field Course in Terrestrial Animals Summer 2014 Program) helped not only expose her to a career in Environmental Science, but prepared her to pursue her M.S. in Ecology and Biodiversity at Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium. Alexandria earned a B.S. in Environmental Studies and a B.A. in Psychology from UB. Not having met many people from different countries before, she values her study abroad programs for giving her another point of view from which to draw and has been able to use her study abroad experiences to help her stand out in job interviews. As a biologist, Alexandria highlighted her international experiences by creating a section on her résumé titled Field Experience and Fieldwork to include the projects she worked on while studying abroad in Antarctica and Finland. Alexandria is now a NEPA Specialist in Denver, Colorado and credits her study abroad programs to making her a better person!
Students who participated in the circles last year reported receiving much needed personal, academic, and professional support and enjoying their (virtual) interactions with both their scholar-mentor and peers during an unprecedented time. Many of the bonds formed have endured. This year, we expect the value of the scholars’ mentoring to be even greater as we are afforded in-person, as well as virtual, opportunities to interact.
Eligibility:
Any UB-enrolled undergraduate (or graduate) student, including those studying remotely, regardless of field of study. Students can choose a preferred mentor who is in any field; the student need not be in the scholar’s discipline or field.
Structure:
Each scholar will lead a 10-student graduate mentoring circle and a 10-student undergraduate circle. Each circle will meet (virtually and in-person, following COVID protocols) at least three times/semester as a group. (Scholars will meet individually with student mentees as the scholars and students choose.) The circles will be in place for the full academic year, although students expecting to graduate in December are welcome to participate while enrolled.
Activities:
Scholars and their mentees will determine the events of interest to their group, but the aim is to engage in activities that support students in their personal, academic, and professional lives and are (for lack of a better word) fun as well as edifying. Virtual participation will be possible in many if not all events/activities.
Examples: film watch parties; attending live and virtual performances; outdoor gatherings; tours of historic and culturally significant sites in Buffalo; gallery and museum visits (virtually and/or in person); readings and discussions; group attendance at UB events; and virtual networking and professional conference attendance.
We are particularly attentive to the potential benefits to minoritized students at UB of connecting with the scholars who are themselves from historically underrepresented groups in academia and deeply invested in contributing to all students’ sense of belonging at UB.
How Students Can Sign Up:
Students complete a brief survey about themselves and rank order their preferred mentors. The preliminary deadline is Monday, October 11thbut as new surveys are received, students will continue to be “matched” to mentors until circles are full. The survey also provides students with a link to a box folder where student can entirely optionally submit a more detailed statement regarding their personal goals/interests to any of the preferred mentors they selected.
Thank you for your support of the DVS program and these mentoring opportunities for students. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to email me at: maurabel@buffalo.edu, stop by Clemens 638a, or call 645-6038.
Stay up – to – date on campus guidelines and health and safety measures this semester! Check out all COVID related updates by clicking the Health and Safety tab on the COVID-19 Planning and response webpage. Remember, if you are going to be on campus, make sure to complete your Daily Health Check!
Learn more about this year’s Homecoming & Family Weekend events! Invite your families to participate and join us the weekend of October 1 for events such as Family Night Trivia, Family Weekend Social and more!
Registration in advance is required for each event. Find event information and registration details here.
Alternative Break Info Session
Learn more about Alternative Break trips and travel locations through our final online information session! We are excited to offer trips focusing on social justice issues during the 2021-22 academic calendar, including: Civic Engagement Environmental Justice Poverty Alleviation Refugee Resettlement Alternative Break programs let you volunteer, perform community service and have unique learning opportunities during your winter or spring break. You’ll learn about your role as a global citizen, make new friends and connections, and discover how you can become an agent of change.
Location: Join Event Online via Zoom Date and Time: Wed., Sept. 29 from 1 – 2 p.m.
Workshop: Public Speaking
This workshop will give you the tools you need to overcome your fears of presenting in front of large groups. Some of the topics we will discuss include non-verbal communication, confidence, presentation styles, and even what to do when you are stumped. Be afraid of the spot light no longer.
Online Location:After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Location: 210 Student Union Date and Time: Thurs., Sept. 23 from 12 – 1 p.m
UB Kind: Jarring Honey with UB Bees
Join Student Engagement for an on-campus service activity to jar UB Bees honey to be donated and distributed through Blue Table.UB Bees is an on-campus organization working to educate the UB and WNY communities about the benefits of having bees in our ecosystems. Find out more information about how to get involved from this website.Blue Table is an on-campus food pantry open to any individual with a UB ID. The pantry is located on the second floor of the student union. Find out more information about how to get involved here.
Location: 145 A Student Union Date and Time: Wed., Sept. 29 from 3 – 5 p.m.
Here to Career Student Employee of the Month Nominations
Do you know a student employee that deserves special recognition? Nominate a friend, co-worker, or yourself for the Here to Career Student Employee of the Month Award. To nominate someone:*RSVP to this event on UB Linked*Answer the questions*Click Submit
Date and Time: Thurs., Sept. 30 – by 11:30 p.m
Winners will be notified at the end of each month and announced at the beginning of the next month.
Community Day 2021
Join Student Engagement, Community Relations and the entire campus community for this longstanding service tradition!
We will be partnering with organizations all over Buffalo to volunteer on various projects that will better our shared community.
Join Student Engagement for an on-campus service activity to jar UB Bees honey to be donated and distributed through Blue Table.
UB Bees is an on-campus organization working to educate the UB and WNY communities about the benefits of having bees in our ecosystems. Find out more information about how to get involved from this website.
Blue Table is an on-campus food pantry open to any individual with a UB ID. The pantry is located on the second floor of the student union. Find out more information about how to get involved here.
Dates and Times: Wed., Sept. 29 from 3 – 5 p.m. Location: 145 A Student Union
Learn more about Alternative Break trips and travel locations through our online information sessions in September! We are excited to offer trips focusing on social justice issues during the 2021-22 academic calendar, including:
Civic Engagement
Environmental Justice
Poverty Alleviation
Refugee Resettlement
Alternative Break programs let you volunteer, perform community service and have unique learning opportunities during your winter or spring break. You’ll learn about your role as a global citizen, make new friends and connections, and discover how you can become an agent of change.
Join Student Engagement for our Fall Information Sessions where you will learn all about Greek Life at UB and how you can get involved! Individual Chapters will be there tabling for more information!
Please join us for our Experience UB Fair! Explore countless experiential learning opportunities through departmental programs, research, internships and service in the greater Buffalo community.
If you are looking for ways to apply your learning outside of the classroom and gain invaluable hands-on experiences to add to your resume, the Experience UB Fair is a fantastic way to start.
Location: Academic Spine Dates and Times: Fri., Sept.17 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
