Wil Green named director of outreach, community engagement at the University at Buffalo Graduate School of Education

Wil Green has been named director of outreach and community engagement at the University at Buffalo Graduate School of Education.

In this position, Green will coordinate all facets of GSE’s community engagement and outreach efforts, including establishing new faculty, school, community and university partnerships, as well as cultivating a positive and supportive culture at GSE. His appointment began on January 3, 2023.

“What I hope to bring here is an authentic connection to the community and the capacity and ability to establish activities and programs in the community that address need … My hope is that it is truly authentic, collaborative engagement, and we support a community that desperately needs evidence-based activities that work and have longevity,” said Green.

He also currently serves as an educational consultant focused on cultural conflict in schools.

A visionary thinker committed to equity and inclusion, Green possesses more than 20 years of experience in education and youth development.

Before joining GSE, he served as the Western New York regional director of the New York State Network for Youth Success as well as the director of the Center for Urban Education at Canisius College. He has held several positions at Say Yes Buffalo, where he most recently served as a Community Schools East Zone leader.

Green earned his bachelor’s degree in English and secondary education from Alfred University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Phoenix. He also received certification in executive conflict coaching.

“Wil is widely recognized for his strong facilitation skills and relentless advocacy for children and families. We are extremely fortunate that Wil agreed to join GSE,” said Suzanne Rosenblith, GSE dean and professor.

Green’s efforts as GSE’s director of  outreach and community engagement align with the school’s commitment to creating and sustaining mutually beneficial partnerships that solve genuine problems of practice and inform policy. GSE is dedicated to meaningfully collaborating with local schools and communities, and creating opportunities for faculty to engage with community-based educational institutions to positively impact the communities served.

“I’m hoping that I can be the liaison between the Graduate School of Education and our partners in education and the educational continuum, and we all roll our sleeves up together, and we all put in that sweat equity. And, at the end of our support and collaboration, we have a system to change things in the area,” Green said.