Loretta Kaminsky, BE ’58, former CEO of Lou-Retta's Custom Chocolates, recently won first place in a statewide tap-dancing competition at age 89. She also teaches senior dance at the Amherst Senior Center and continues to prove that age is just a number.
1960s
Victoria Stearns, MLS ’65, published her third book “Classical Music: A Listener’s Guide.”
1970s
Marilyn Ciancio, BA ’70, MA ’70, is a past president of the University at Buffalo Women’s Club and chair of the World University Games. She was honored with two National Telly Awards for “Artscope” and recognized with the U.S. Senate Woman of Distinction Award. She was also awarded UB’s Wels Award, underscoring her lasting contributions to the UB community and beyond.
Jack Yanno, EdM ’70, was honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions for his decades-long contributions as a teacher and coach, including the Maryvale Sports Wall of Fame, Clarence High School Sports Wall of Fame and the Town of Clarence Baseball Wall of Fame. The Town of Clarence also proclaimed July 25, 2003, as Jack Yanno Day. He is the author of “A Walk Across the Diamonds” and is completing “Golden Stitches,” a book chronicling the lives of student-athletes he coached.
William Mehls, EdM ’74, BFA ’74, was inducted into the Canandaigua City School District Visual and Performing Arts Hall of Fame on Sept. 25, 2025. He taught K-5 general music in the district for 30 years, and was recognized for his contributions to school and community music programs.
1980s
Kerry Langan, MLS ’82, recently published her fourth book, “Worthy: Stories and Novellas,” with Wising Up Press.
Victor B. Stolberg, EdM ’84, authored “Bipolar Disorder: Your Questions Answered,” to be released by Bloomsbury Publishing in January 2026. His previous works include “ADHD Medications: History, Science, and Issues,” “What You Need to Know about ADHD” and “Painkillers: History, Science, and Issues.”
1990s
Roxana G. Reichman, PhD ’96, was appointed dean of the Graduate School of Education at Gordon College in Haifa, Israel. She previously served as head of the college’s master’s program in educational leadership and organization. After organizing a three-day international conference on gifted education, she is now planning a national conference on educational leadership in times of crisis, scheduled for Oct. 21, 2025.
John Sibusiso Chalufu, EdM ’99, was appointed to the Council on Higher Education Reference Group on Transformation in the South African higher education system.
2000s
Suzanne Colligan, MLS ’00, earned an MS in student affairs and higher education from Buffalo State University in May 2025. She received the American Labor Movement Scholarship in 2023 and currently works as a case manager for Erie County government.
Susan Lombardo, PhD ’00, professor emerita at D’Youville University, was named president of the Graduate School of Education Alumni Association.
Andrew Wiss, PhD ’00, is assistant dean for academic innovation at the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. He was recently inducted as a Distinguished Fellow of the National Academies of Practice.
Kelly Coleman, MA ’02, clinical assistant professor in the PsyD program in clinical psychology at D’Youville University and director of clinical training, was elected president of the Psychological Association of Western New York for 2025-2026. She also maintains a private practice specializing in treatment for youth through young adults with sexual and gender identity concerns.
Jason Otto, BA ’04, is beginning his 20th year in education and currently serves as a specialist in the Department of Teacher Leadership with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools in North Carolina.
Nikki Wells (Lynn), EdM ’07, earned her EdD in student affairs administration and leadership from the University of Wisconsin in May 2025. Her dissertation, “Gateways”, explored how prehealth advisors develop advising philosophies when working with first-generation and BIPOC students. She is associate director of health professions advising at Cornell University.
Casey Jakubowski, Adv. Cert. ’08, will publish a chapter in the forthcoming SUNY Press book, “Governing New York Through Crisis,” examining education governance and finance in the state.
Kumba Sankoh, EdM ’09, was appointed director of curriculum and student supports with the Penfield School District, where she oversees the Seal of Biliteracy as well as the ENL, world languages, music and art departments.
2010s
Holly Staley, MS ’10, is the principal of Phillippi Shores IB World School in Sarasota, Florida, where she recently completed her fourth year of leadership. The school has maintained its A-rating throughout her tenure. Outside of work, she supports her daughter’s pursuit of competitive golf; her daughter recently placed first at the U.S. Kids World Golf Championship in Pinehurst, North Carolina.
Justin Alger, PhD ’11, is a client services manager with a managed network provider that partners with higher education institutions on campus security, wireless networking, cellular connectivity and large-scale event venues. He applies his academic background to create practical IT solutions that help his clients.
Jennifer McDonel, PhD ’13, was promoted to professor of music at Radford University in Virginia. She also released her second children’s album, “Little Beats: Grand Old Time—Science and Engineering Songs,” on July 29, 2025, connecting early music and STEM learning.
Danielle Hawkins, BS ’06,EdM ’14, is entering her second year as director of curriculum and instruction at Akron Central Schools, following 10 years of experience in building-based leadership.
Amanda Lowe, MLS ’14, was recently promoted to associate librarian with tenure at the University at Albany, SUNY, where they serve as outreach and marketing librarian. They have since been recognized with the President’s Excellence Award in Librarianship, the Unsung Hero Award for championing LGBTQ+ students and initiatives, and the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Librarianship.
Laura Amo, PhD ’15, received tenure in September 2025 from the University at Buffalo School of Management in the Department of Management Science and Systems.
Chelsea Walter, BA ’10, PhD ’15, was appointed director of Colorado College’s Colket Center for Academic Excellence for a two-year term. She also serves as director of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education and as a lecturer in the Education Department at Colorado College.
Robin Hall, EdM ’16, purchased her first home in the Buffalo area with her husband, Adam, in June 2024.
Lorenda Chisolm, EdD ’17, was appointed superintendent of schools for the Greenburgh Central School District in Hartsdale, New York, effective July 1, 2025.
Monica Miles, PhD ’17, assistant professor in the Department of Engineering Education at the University at Buffalo, received the Medgar Evers Civil Rights Award from the Buffalo Branch of the NAACP for her leadership in environmental justice and equity in STEM. She is the first UB faculty member to receive this honor.
Julianne Westrich, MLS ’18, was selected as a recipient of the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms 2025-2026 program. Her work will include collaborative learning with teachers worldwide and conclude with an international field placement in spring 2026.
Ashley Kibler (Fries), BA ’17,EdM ’19, married Jeff Kibler in October 2024. She was recently promoted to assistant director of undergraduate education advising at the UB Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences—the same office where she held a graduate assistant position during her time in graduate school.
2020s
Lisa Gagnon, BA ’17, EdM ’21, joined UB’s Office of Fellowships and Scholarships as an advisor.
Jessie Moore, MLS ’22, completed state requirements for school library certification and began working as a school library media specialist in 2023. She later returned to her alma mater district, where she was recently named high school librarian.
Yu Wu, EdM ’18, PhD ’23, is a research assistant professor at the Center for Research in Educational Policy in the College of Education at the University of Memphis. She co-leads external evaluation projects supported by the U.S. Department of Education, the Institute of Education Sciences and the National Science Foundation.
Katie Dineen, EdD ’24, was selected to participate in the 2025-2026 Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms program.
Mitch Kase, EdD ’24, was appointed executive director for the Center for Learning, Teaching, and Assessment at Hofstra University. He transitioned from his previous role as executive director of Education and Research Technology in July 2025.
Tracy Langley, MC ’25, earned the Teaching Black History microcredential from UB, which deepened her curriculum, expanded her pedagogical practice and strengthened her commitment to equity. The program continues to inform her teaching of ethnic studies at the junior college level in Lake County, California. She is also pursuing an additional master’s degree in ethnic studies.
Carol Lynn Lockhart, MLS ’25, was hired as assistant director of the Southeast Steuben County Library in Corning, New York.
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