Commencement student

Committed to equipping individuals with the knowledge, skills, and tools for helping adults learn in postsecondary institutions, organizations and beyond.

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Higher Education Administration

Our programs prepare higher education and student affairs professionals with the competencies and skills reflective of contemporary practice and prepare professionals to work in increasingly diverse settings. We aim to develop socially just, authentic, reflective, and collaborative leaders and scholars who will transform higher education and student affairs practice. 

Higher Education Administration programs

Adult Education

Our programs educate those who help adults improve the way they live and work. We prepare adult educators to teach their specialty in community colleges, healthcare settings, corporations, and government and nonprofit organizations; to lead community engagement projects; to conduct literacy, personal growth, and workforce-development programs; to prepare adults for work in grassroots movements and social justice efforts; and to build successful careers in organizational training and human resource development. Students enrolled in our programs enjoy the flexibility of100% online classes—accommodating full- and part-time students located anywhere in the world.

Adult Education programs
Emery Palczynski headshot

"Venturing into the realm of adult education through the Human Resources Graduate Certificate Program has been an enriching experience. It's armed me with key insights that I now use as a recruiter, enhancing my capability to identify and nurture the right talents. This experience has truly made me appreciate the power of lifelong learning."

Emery Palczynski, '24 | Human Resources Graduate Certificate Recipient
Hermen Díaz III

HESAA Professor Studies How Latino Men Can Thrive in Higher Ed

While Latinos make up the second-largest racial or ethnic group in the United States, Latino males have some of the lowest baccalaureate and post-baccalaureate degree completion rates, said Hermen Díaz III, ’08, who joined the Buffalo State faculty as an assistant professor of higher education administration in fall 2019.

“Basically, half of Latino men who walk onto campus won’t walk across the stage to accept a diploma,” Díaz said. “They are not matriculating at the undergraduate level due to a number of barriers and realities.”

Read the news story.
Danielle Walker

"The best thing about the HESAA program was the in-class discussion which helped put theory into real-life practice. Also, the support from our professors and classmates while job searching and even years after graduation is special. Truly a family that wants to see you succeed!" 

Danielle Walker, ’17 | HESAA Alumna