PURPOSE

The purpose of SUNY Buffalo State University's MPA Advisory Board is to serve as an external advisement structure to provide an institutionalized mechanism for leaders in the Western New York public, nonprofit, and business sectors to provide advice on employment and skills trends, review the MPA curriculum and mission to ensure these meet the contemporary needs of the public and nonprofit sectors, enrich the MPA program through participation in program delivery through guest lectures, mentorships, and internships, and guidance in overall strategic planning with respect to the MPA program.  The MPA Advisory Board is comprised of a cross-section of professionals, student representatives, and MPA alumni with experience in the public, nonprofit, and business sectors.  

ROSTER

William Benfanti, MA  
Associate Vice President for Government Relations
SUNY Buffalo State University
Appointment Date: November 2024
 
Brian Bray, MPA, DPA
Commissioner of Personnel
Erie County
Appointment Date: November 2024

LeVar Burke, MPA,  JD
Chief of Staff, Office of the President
SUNY Buffalo State University
Appointment Date:  November 2024

Don Dentice, MPA
Account Manager, Rockwell Automation
Alumnus '13
Appointment Date:  November 2024

Allison DeHonney, MBA
Executive Director 
Buffalo Go Green Inc./Urban Fruits & Veggies LLC 
Appointment Date: November 2023

Alex Desha, MPA
Portfolio Management Specialist, Office of Public Housing
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Alumnus '20
Appointment Date: November 2023

Kelly Dodd 
(MPA Student Representative) 
Chief Operating Officer of 211 NY Inc. and Vice President of the United Way of New York State 
Appointment Date: November 2023

Ryan Gadzo, MPA
Transportation Coordinator
Erie County Senior Services
Alumnus '15
Appointment Date: November 2023

Heather LaForme, MPA
Director of Native American Services
NYS Office of Children and Family Services 
Alumna '19
Appointment Date: November 2023
 
Nicholas Melson, BA 
Manager of Special Projects for the Western Division
New York State Canal Corporation 
Appointment Date: November 2023
 
Oswaldo Mestre Jr., BA 
Senior Adviser to the Mayor & Executive Director of Citizen Services
City of Buffalo 
Appointment Date: November 2023

Todd O'Bryan, BS
(MPA Student Representative)
Deputy County Clerk - DMV Operations Manager
Niagara County
Appointment Date:  November 2024

Diane Oyler, PhD
Executive Vice President
Health Foundation for Western and Central New York
Appointment Date: November 2024

Gregory Rabb, JD
SUNY Jamestown Community College (retired)
City of Jamestown (city council, planning board, public utility) (retired)
Appointment Date: November 2024

Antonio Regulier, MPA
Alumnus '19
Appointment Date: November 2023

Ken Stone, MPA
Deputy Director & Chief Financial Officer
Buffalo and Erie County Public Library (retired)
Appointment Date: November 2023

Geoffrey Syzmanski, MPA
(former) Mayor, City of Lackawanna
Alumnus '19
Appointment Date: November 2024

Jordan Then, MPA 
Mid-Atlantic Area Manager
Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Alumnus '15
Appointment Date: November 2023

SUPPORT STAFF

Faculty Liaison & Secretary to the MPA Advisory Board
Laurie Buonanno, PhD
Professor, Department of Economics and Finance

STRUCTURE

  • The MPA Advisory Board shall consist of a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 24 individuals, with at least two members being students currently matriculated in the MPA program.  Two of the members will be Buffalo State employees who are not members of the MPA Committee but have experience/advanced degrees in public administration, public policy, or a related field.
  • The MPA Advisory Board is appointed by the MPA Director.
  • The MPA Advisory Board shall meet at least twice during each academic year.
  • Each MPA Advisory Board member will serve an initial three-year term.
  • The MPA Advisory Board Chair is elected for a three-year term among its voting membership.
  • The MPA Program Director or their designee attends the MPA Advisory Board meeting in an ex officio capacity.
  • Other members of the MPA Program Committee, which is the faculty governance body of the MPA program, are encouraged to attend MPA Advisory Board meetings to provide information or to answer board member questions. 
  • The Faculty Liaison/Secretary supports the MPA Advisory Board Chair with gathering and disseminating requested information/data, taking meeting minutes, circulating meeting agendas and minutes, and drafting/circulating reports.  
  • The MPA Advisory Board will formally submit a report of each meeting to the MPA Program Director and the Department Chair.
  • The MPA Advisory Board will submit an Annual Report to the MPA Program Director, the Department Chair, and the appropriate Dean.

MEMBER SELECTION CRITERIA

The persons selected for the Board should be individuals in the professions or service who have demonstated success within their field (government, nonprofit, business).  Nominations are made by the MPA Program Committee and then selected by the MPA Director.

FUNCTIONS

  • Review the MPA program's relevance to needs of the public and nonprofit sectors.
  • Evaluate the MPA program on a regular basis to ensure it meets professional standards.
  • Review mission and goals, ensuring alignment with NASPAA Standard 1.1.
  • Advise on curriculum needs and skills.
  • Assess program requirements.
  • Advise on MPA program communication with respect to transparency, accuracy, and accountability.  (NASPAA Standard 7.1) 
  • Advocate for the MPA program in the Western New York community.
  • Provide mentorship and internships to MPA students.