Dr. Soni

Dr. Suparna Soni Receives "Excellence in Public Administration Education" Award

 Congratulations to Dr. Suparna Soni on receiving the Excellence in Public Administration Education award 2025 from the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) Western New York Chapter.

This well-deserved recognition honors Dr. Soni’s outstanding contributions to teaching, mentorship, and her ongoing commitment to advancing the field of public administration. She extends her gratitude to her students, colleagues, and the ASPA WNY community for their continued support and inspiration.

Congratulations to Dr. Soni on this well-deserved honor. We are proud of her dedication and the positive impact she continues to make on future public service leaders. 

APSA Award
Grover Cleveland Buffalo City Hall

Congratulations to May 2025 MPA Graduates!

Five MPA students completed the capstone requirement (PAD 690) and earned the MPA in May 2025.  
Congratulations to Musah Abubakar, Julia Lange, Todd O'Bryan,  Derek Smith, and Lily Wright!

They audience for the MPA Project Presentations comprised members of the MPA Advisory Board, MPA alumni, current undergradute and graduate students, the MPA Program Committee, and community members.
 

MPA Project Presentations - Spring 2025

UB honors faculty

Dr. Suparna Soni Delivers Annual Pi Sigma Alpha Talk 2025 at University at Buffalo

We are proud to share that Dr. Suparna Soni was invited to deliver the prestigious annual Pi Sigma Alpha talk at the University at Buffalo’s Political Science Department awards ceremony—her alma mater.

This special event marked a full-circle moment for Dr. Soni, as she returned to the institution where her academic journey in political science began. In her address, she reflected on her professional path, reconnected with former mentors, and inspired the next generation of students who are just embarking on their own journeys.

Congratulations to Dr. Soni on this meaningful honor and for representing our MPA program!

NYS Budget Simulation 2025 (2026 budget)

New York State Budget Simulation 2025

Our New York State Government & Budget class includes an in-class simulation that takes place throughout the semester.  The FY 2025/2026 budget simulation focused on Governor Hochul's Affordable Agenda.   This year's roles ("alter egos") were: Governor Hochul; Blake Washington (Director of the Division of the Budget);  New York Homes & Community Renewal Commissioner, RuthAnne Visnauskas;  NYS Assembly Speaker, Carl E. Heastie; NYS Senate Majority Leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins; NYS Senate, Minority Leader, Robert G. Ortt; Child Reduction Poverty Council, Co-Chair, NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Insurance (OTDA) Commissioner, Barbara Guinn; New York State Association for Affordable Housing, President & CEO, Jolie Milstein; Empire Justice Center, President & CEO, Kristin Brown; New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officers,  Executive Director, Barbara Van Epps;  New York State Association of Counties, Executive Director, Stephen J. Acquario;  New York State AFL-CIO, President, Mario Cilento; New York State Building & Construction Trades Council, President, Gary LaBarbera; Fiscal Policy Institute, Executive Director, Nathan Gusdorf; Business Council of New York State, President, Heather Mulligan;  Business Council of New York State, Executive Vice President, Paul Zuber; and Empire Center, President & CEO, Zilvinas Silenas.

The former mayor of the City of Buffalo and NYS Senator, Mr. Byron Brown (pictured far left), served as our consultant on the simulation.   

This course is taught each spring to coinicide with the NYS budgetary process as PAD 515 (MPA students), ECO 515 (MA Applied Economics) along with undergraduate sections in economics and political science.  

 

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Greenspace and Community: How Volunteers Sustain Buffalo's Olmsted Parks (Public Service Lecture Series)

February 26, 2025 - Greenspace and Community: How Volunteers Sustain Buffalo's Olmsted Parks 
Noah Schaner, Volunteer Coordinator from the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy, will discuss Olmsted Parks programs and volunteering opportunities to our community.
 
Location:  Caudell Hall, Room 208, 4:30-6:00 p.m.
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Digital Diplomas

Digital Diplomas Go Live Spring 2025

Buffalo State is pleased to partner with Parchment Services to now offer digital diplomas to all graduates. The digital diploma is official and it is free. Students who graduate in spring 2025 will be the first to receive their digital diplomas; they will also receive a printed copy in the mail six to eight weeks later.

Visit the Registrar’s website for more information.

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Jobs with New York State Government

 

The Center for Careers in Government presents a workshop to learn about careers with New York State! Download flyer (pdf)

Thursday, February 13, 2025
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Caudell 123

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NASPAA Site Visit

The NASPAA Site Visit Team will be on campus March 10-12, 2025 to review SUNY Buffalo State's MPA program.  

MPA Project Presentations - Scheduled

Rockwell Hall

Mark Your Calendar! Spring 2025 MPA Project Presentations

Spring 2025 MPA Project Presentations will take place Monday, May 12 from 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Presentations followed by a reception.   

Location:  Caudell Hall 209

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Building Bridges: Enhancing Cultural Competences in Our Campus Community - Free Workshop!

Building Bridges: Enhancing Cultural Competence in Our Campus Community

Join us for an engaging and interactive one-hour workshop designed to foster cultural awareness, understanding, and meaningful dialogue at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 16, 2025 in Caudell Hall 123.

Through thought-provoking discussions and activities, participants will explore strategies to create inclusive and welcoming environments. This Winterim session is ideal for faculty and staff committed to personal growth, professional development, and building stronger connections within our diverse campus community. Together, let’s bridge gaps, celebrate differences, and cultivate belonging.

Register for the workshop here.

Grover Cleveland Buffalo City Hall

Congratulations to December 2024 MPA Graduates!

Three MPA students completed the capstone requirement (PAD 690) and earned the MPA in December 2024.  Congratulations to Hope DeGarie, Jeremy Howard, and Paul Land.  MPA Project Presentations - Fall 2024.

Posted January 6, 2025

Empire State Plaza

Public Administration moving to Department of Economics and Finance

Public administration programs will be housed in the Department of Economics and Finance beginning January 1, 2025.  The Department of Economics & Financ and the Department of Business will merge to form a new department on August 1, 2025.  This realignment of departments and disciplines will enhance teaching, research, community service, and meet contemporary workforce needsd in the disciplines of public administration, economics, finance, and business administration.

Posted December 19, 2024

Derek Smirh

MPA Student Wins Fellowship to JFK Presidential Library

Derek Smith has won the prestigious Sorensen Fellowship of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation in support of his MPA project research, "The Machinery of Messaging:  Lessons in Local Government from the White House Press Office."  Derek plans to apply the lessons he learns from the Sorensen and Salinger archives to communication strategies employed by the City of Buffalo where Derek is currently employed as a special adviser.

Posted November 28, 2024