What Is NUFP?
The NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program (NUFP) at Buffalo State is a semi-structured mentoring program and cohort experience for undergraduate students interested in exploring a career in student affairs. Careers in this field include roles such as academic advisor, EOP counselor, residence life staff, admissions counselor, and dean of students. NUFP is supported nationally by NASPA, one of the largest professional associations for the field of student affairs.
The mission of the NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program is to increase the number of historically disenfranchised and underrepresented professionals in student affairs and/or higher education. This includes, but is not limited to, those of racial and ethnic-minority background, those having a disability and those who identify as LGBTQIA+.
"Participating in NUFP helped me find my purpose in higher education and understand that my representation matters in influencing others. Others will benefit from this experience because you gain networking with a professional in the field and develop skills you can use across different areas. "
NUFP Benefits
- Career exploration in higher education
- Graduate school exploration and application assistance
- Professional mentorship
- Campus involvement and connection
- Professional development and networking
- Eligible to participate in conferences and internships through NASPA
NUFP Fellow Expectations
- Meet once a month with your NUFP mentor
- Meet once a month with the NUFP cohort and the NUFP Coordinator
- Collaborate with NUFP mentor on a spring project or program to enhance students’ experience and sense of belonging at Buffalo State.
- Present on the NUFP experience at the final NUFP fellow and mentor meeting in spring.
“NUFP was literally a life changer for me. I was at a point where I had just switched majors and had lost my sense of direction. NUFP gave me the opportunity to explore different departments in higher education, which helped me narrow down and choose what direction I wanted to go with my career.”
How to Get Involved with NUFP?
If you are interested in participating in NUFP or would like to learn more, please contact Dr. Amy Wilson, faculty in the Higher Education & Student Affairs Administration (HESAA) graduate program at wilsonab@buffalostate.edu.