Igniting Equity in Education Annual Conference

Students in a classroom.

Students in a classroom.

This conference will bring together educational leaders, stakeholders and community members to amplify the voices of youth in our communities. The primary objective is to foster dialogue and action that will cultivate equitable schools, placing students’ needs at the forefront of educational initiatives. This conference serves as a platform for collective learning, collaboration, and empowerment. Together, we can ignite meaningful conversations and enact positive transformations that will shape the future of education in Western New York.

Conference Details

Theme:

Models of Excellence: Building Support for Neighborhood and Community Schools

A day-long conference exploring what neighborhood and community schools are, how they serve all students, and how they strengthen communities. Participants will learn from real-world examples, collaborative strategies, and practical tools to foster thriving, equitable, community-centered education.

Date and Time:

Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025, from 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.

Location:

Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Active Learning Center
955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203

Areas of Focus

What Are Neighborhood and Community Schools and Why This Focus?

Learn about this model of education in greater detail from a panel of experts.

Preliminary Research Findings

Learn what the research is showing and engage in a Q&A with representatives from the Buffalo School Choice Research Project.

Two Models of Community Schools

University Assisted Community Schools, The Community Schools BOCES CO-SER

Develop an understanding of these two models through case study presentations.

Next Steps — Policy Changes

Learn what the research is showing and engage in a Q&A with representatives from the Buffalo School Choice Research Project.

Register To Attend

Conference Schedule

TIME	ACTIVITY	LOCATION
8:30 a.m.	Registration & Continental Breakfast	Lobby
9:00 a.m.	Welcome & Overview of the Day Suzanne Rosenblith, Dean, UB Graduate School of Education	Active Learning Center
9:10 a.m.	Session 1 - What are Neighborhood & Community Schools & Why this Focus? Dr. Amanda Winkelsas, Clinical Associate Professor, University at Buffalo Graduate School of Education	Active Learning Center
9:25 a.m.	Panel 1 - Neighborhood and Community School General Session Moderator: Suzanne Rosenblith, Dean, UB Graduate School of Education Panelists: Tanya Staples, Director of Community Schools Initiatives, Say Yes Buffalo Abigail Wolski, Director of Strategic Alignment & Innovation, Buffalo Public Schools Parent, Buffalo Public Schools Erie 1 BOCES Kailin Kucewicz, School-Community Engagement Coordinator Kim Luce, Director of Strategic Partnerships for Peaceful Schools University Dr. Noarah Rimkunas, Assistant Professor & Senior Director of Binghamton University Community Schools	Active Learning Center
BREAK
10:30 a.m.	Session 2 -Preliminary Research Findings Simone Fried, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership & Policy, University at Buffalo Gradaute School of Education	Active Learning Center
11:00 a.m.	Panel 2 -Q&A Buffalo School Choice Research Project Moderator: Wil Green, Assistant Dean for Outreach & Community Engagement, University at Buffalo Gradaute School of Education Panelists: Simone Fried, Assistant Professor of Educational Leadership & Policy, University at Buffalo Gradaute School of Education Study participants and co-investigators	Active Learning Center
LUNCH
12:00 p.m.	Session 3 -Two Models of Community Schools: University assisted Community Schools and The Community Schools BOCES CO-SER Harnessing the University as a Partner Speaker: Dr. Naorah Rimkunas, Assistant Professor, Binghamton University; Senior Director, Binghamton University Community Schools A Case Study: Research Lab High School Speakers: - Chris Proctor, Assistant Professor, University at Buffalo Graduate School of Education - Angela Cullen, Principal, Research Labratory High School, Buffalo Public Schools The Community Schools CO-SER Speaker: Kailin Kucewicz, Community Engagement Coordinator, Erie 1 BOCES A Case Study: Erie 1 BOCES Speaker: To be announced.	Active Learning Center
2:00 p.m.	Panel 3 -Unpacking Community Schools Moderator: Suzanne Rosenblith, Dean, University at Buffalo Graduate School of Education Panelists: Naorah Rimkunas, Assistant Professor & Senior Director of Binghamton University Community Schools Chris Proctor, Assistant Professor of Learning and Instruction, University at Buffalo Graduate School of Education Angela Cullen, Principal, Research Lab High School, Buffalo Public Schools Kailin Kucewicz, School-Community Engagement Coordinator, Erie I BOCES Administrator, Erie I BOCES Component District Catherine Konieczny, Site Coordinator & Project Director, YWCA WNY	Active Learning Center
BREAK
2:45 p.m.	Panel 4 -Next Steps - Policy Changes Moderator: Sam Radford, Co-Convener, WNYEETF & Chairperson, National Parent Union Panelists: Chrystal People-Stokes, NYS Assemblymember & Majority Leader Mike Capuana, Superintendent, Erie I BOCES Buffalo Public Schools District Leadership Keith Wiley, Teacher, Buffalo Public Schools & Regent, NYS Education Department Jaime Ciffone, Executive Vice President, NYSUT	Active Learning Center
3:30 p.m.	Session 4 -Wrap-Up Sam Radford, Co-Convener, WNYEETF & Chairperson, National Parent Union	Active Learning Center

This conference is sponsored by the WNY Education Equity Task Force. We are grateful for financial support from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo and the Graduate School of Education at the University at Buffalo for making this conference possible. To learn more about the WNYEETF, please contact one of the four co-conveners: Sam Radford, Wil Green, Amanda Winkelsas, Suzanne Rosenblith.