BY DANIELLE LEGARE

Several students from the Graduate School of Education will be recognized at this year’s ceremony and student showcase for their innovative research, commitment to equity and impact in the classroom and community.

“UB’s Celebration of Student Academic Excellence shines a light on the accomplishments of our students,” said Suzanne Rosenblith, GSE dean and professor. “We are proud to recognize the accomplishments of our Graduate School of Education students.”

Coordinated by UB’s Experiential Learning Network, the Student Showcase features research and creative projects completed under the mentorship of UB faculty. The following GSE students will be featured for their original and impactful work:

• Jennifer Serniuk from the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy will present “Forced to Strategize: Former Refugees Navigate Mobility Within the Opportunity Structure.” Drawing on 52 interviews and two focus groups, her study examines how two generations of former refugees in Buffalo, N.Y., navigate schools and labor markets. Her research highlights how racial and socioeconomic status intersect with structural barriers, prompting families to leverage alternative forms of capital to support their children’s educational transitions.
• Joey Fung, Julian Livingston and Natalie Stoner from the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy will share “Who Gets to Choose? The Effects of a School Choice Program on Student and Family Educational Experiences.” This pilot study investigates a lottery-based school assignment system in a mid-sized northeastern city. Through interviews with 17 families, the team explores how family structure and social capital influence decisions to opt out of public schooling, raising critical questions about access and equity in education.
• Bingwan Tian from the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy will present “Teachers’ Perceptions and Identification of Students with Suspected Disabilities in a Public Primary School in Beijing Under the Learning in Regular Classrooms (LRC) Policy.” Informed by Critical Disability Studies and Global South perspectives, this qualitative study examines how Chinese educators use flexible strategies—including nuanced parent communication and adaptive disciplinary practices—to support inclusive education in resource-limited settings.
• Iman Lathan, Jessica Shields and Allen Williams from the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy will present “A Qualitative Examination of the Long-Term Benefits of a My Brother’s Keeper Program.” Building on prior research, this study explores the enduring impact of a local MBK initiative on young men of color. Through interviews, participants shared how the program fostered strong peer relationships, expanded social capital and shaped positive future outlooks.

"We are so proud of the amazing ELP students—from undergraduates to doctoral students—who are being recognized for their important research projects that, in many cases, center the needs of minoritized populations,” said Margaret Sallee, chair and professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy. “From Jenny Serniak's dissertation on two refugee communities in Buffalo to A.C. Williams's work on a research project on the benefits of participation in a My Brother's Keeper Program, ELP students are concerned with ensuring that all students have the chance to succeed." 

GSE students will also be recognized for excellence at the university and national levels.

Jennifer Serniuk will receive the UB Excellence in Research, Scholarship and Creativity Award, which honors standout Student Showcase projects that demonstrate distinction in content, presentation and scope.

In addition, three students will be recognized through prestigious U.S. Department of State programs that support international study, language acquisition and cross-cultural exchange:

• Taylor Smith from the Department of Learning and Instruction was recently named a Fulbright Finalist—the largest U.S. international exchange program offering opportunities for graduate study, research and teaching around the world. 
• Alison Chmielewski from the Department of Learning and Instruction was recently recognized as a Fulbright nominee for her potential to contribute to mutual understanding through international education.
• Sam Coniglio, also from the Department of Learning and Instruction, was recently nominated for the Critical Language Scholarship, an intensive overseas language program designed to expand the number of Americans mastering critical-need foreign languages.

“Our students’ dedication and innovation reflect the very best of our community,” Rosenblith said. “They continue to inspire us all and help shape the future of education.”