The Buffalo State University Higher Education & Student Affairs Administration (HESAA) program is celebrating 55 years of excellence in professional preparation.
In honor of this milestone and in the spirit of celebrating our commitment to lifelong learning, we invite you to join us for the HESAA Professional Development Institute and/or the HESAA Alumni & Friends Reunion Event on Friday, November 7, 2025.
Educating for Democracy
The Professional Development Institute (PDI) is an opportunity to reconnect, reflect upon our roots, and celebrate 55 years of Educating for Democracy.
The Institute has been developed with the core values of the HESAA program as a framework for program proposals, demonstrating a continued commitment to preparing higher education professionals who are authentic, collaborative, reflective, and socially just.
Registration
Buffalo State faculty, staff, and students may attend the PDI for free. Please register and indicate whether you plan to join us for lunch. If you are interested in attending the HESAA Alumni & Friends Reunion Event, please also register for that event at the same time ($25).
Graduate Students from other higher education programs may attend the Professional Development Institute at a discounted rate ($25).
Alumni and friends of the program interested in attending the Professional Development Institute AND the Reunion may opt for the discounted package of $55 for both events.
All other guests, please register for the event(s) of your interest.
· Professional Development Institute ($50)
· HESAA Alumni & Friends Reunion Event ($25)
If you have questions about registration or the events, please contact Dr. Amy Wilson, Professor and Chair, Higher Education Administration & Adult Education at wilsonab@buffalostate.edu.
Registration Deadline - Friday, Oct. 31st
Questions?
If you have questions about registration or the events, please contact Dr. Amy Wilson, Professor and Chair, Higher Education Administration & Adult Education at wilsonab@buffalostate.edu.
Featured Discussion
The Institute will begin with a facilitated discussion about our hopes for the future of higher education with Kaleigh Mrowka, Ph.D., '12, the Director of Campus Culture Transformation at the Constructive Dialogue Institute. Kaleigh is a restorative practice scholar, trainer, consultant, and leader with over a decade of experience in restorative facilitation in college and university environments. Her work considers the ways that dialogue and restorative practice can be used to co-create healthier and more community-centered organizations, and she has worked with dozens of colleges and universities seeking to build more relational and restorative campus organizational cultures. Kaleigh began her career in student affairs and is passionate about the ways that students learn from both their curricular and co-curricular college experiences. She holds a B.A. In Speech Communication from Ithaca College, a M.S. in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration from SUNY Buffalo State and a Ph.D. in Language, Literacy and Culture at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
HESAA Alumni & Friends Reunion Event
6:00pm-9:00pm
Resurgence Brewery
55 Chicago St, Buffalo, NY 14204, United States
All HESAA/SPA alums and friends of the program are also invited to join us for a celebratory reunion event following the institute. Registration for the Reunion Event is within the registration link above. Reunion tickets are $25 unless paired with the Professional Develeopment Institute for a discounted package.
Lodging
The Best Western on Delaware Avenue has reserved a block of rooms for HESAA alumni and their guests who may wish to stay in town on Thursday, November 6, and Friday, November 7.
To reserve one of these preferred rooms, please call 716-886-8333. The preferred rate is $119/night, and the reservation code is HESAA.
Rooms must be booked by October 22 to receive the preferred rate.
Other lodging options include:
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Buffalo Airport
4271 Genesee Street, Cheektowaga, NY 14225
(716) 633-2488
Richardson Hotel (closest to campus)
444 Forest Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14213
(716) 493-2610
Hampton by Hilton
220 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 855-2223
Thank you to our local alumni who helped plan and coordinate the Professional Development Institute and Reunion Event:
Candace Williams, ‘12
Title IX Coordinator, Buffalo State University
Erika Mitchell, ‘20
Senior EOP Counselor, Buffalo State University
Kayla James, ‘20
EOP Advisor, Buffalo State University
Jalen Wright, ‘20
Assistant Director and Coordinator for Academic Intervention, Academic Standards, Buffalo State University
Alexandra Green, ‘25
Coordinator, Student Leadership & Engagement, Buffalo State University
Steven Swiatek, ‘25
Assistant to the Chief Diversity Officer, Buffalo State University
Grace O’Leary, ‘25
Content Accessibility Support Specialist, Buffalo State University
Kelis Swain, ‘25
Academic Advisor, Buffalo State University