An overview of the Buffalo Project's Activities During the Spring 2020 Term

Faculty and interns of Spring 2020. Top: Dr. Rhianna Rogers, Dr. Dan Nyaronga, Dr. Rebecca Eliseo-Arras, intern Julie Varughese, intern Maria Holmes and intern Bethany Patterson. Bottom: Interns Mikayla Schneiter, Carly Van Syckle, Michele Paterson, Nan Mead & Nay Farber.

BUFFALO, NY. During the Spring of 2020, the Buffalo Project continued to engage students in different learning opportunities while promoting unity through diversity, equity and inclusion.

Through the Center For Law and Policy Solutions (CLPS) Program, five interns from different SUNY institutions across the State developed micro-studies around the theme of "Building Community in Times of Social Unrest", which they presented to family, friends and Empire State faculty and staff, during an online event celebrated on May 5th:

1. Interns Carly Van Syckle (UAlbany) & Maria Holmes (HVCC), presented the study titled "The re-entry and pipelining of formerly incarcerated peoples into education";

2. Interns Mikayla Schneiter (SUNY Empire) & Bethany Patterson (SUNY Empire), presented the study titled "Education, immigration, and refugees in NY and beyond"; with the support of Dr. Dan Nyaronga, and,

3. Intern Julie Varughese (UAlbany) presented the study titled "Building cultural openness in times of unrest - examples from the Buffalo Project data set", with the support of graduate student Nan Mead.

Another three interns functioned as paid Research Associates supporting the Buffalo Project's studies, community outreach and online presence:

1. Nan Mead - Lead Buffalo Project RA/NY State Regent - (SUNY Empire graduate student located in the Greater NYC/Westchester County area): Co-authored the Deliberative Conversation/Rockefeller publication (Spring 2020) with former Buffalo Project RAs, she presented at the SUNY DEI Student Leadership Conference @ SUNY Oneonta, and she facilitated on- and off-line meetings with CLPS interns downstate throughout the term.

2. Nayury "Nay" Farber - Social Media Coordinator - (SUNY Empire undergraduate student located in the Greater Buffalo/Amherst area): Built the social media branding for the Buffalo Project, designed the Buffalo Project website, managed the Buffalo Project's Twitter account, wrote press releases for Buffalo Project/CLPS events, created the Buffalo Project YouTube channel, and interviewed affiliates of the Buffalo Project throughout the term. 

3. Michele Paterson - Buffalo Project RA (SUNY Empire undergraduate student located in Niagara Falls area): Worked with Dr. Rebecca Eliseo-Arras on a Cyber-bullying project affiliated with the Addictions Studies program at ESC.

Additionally, the Buffalo Project continued using its innovative, original educational models, Deliberative Conversations and Virtual Residencies, in collaboration with SUNY Empire Offices of Student Life and Career Development, to provide spaces for national and international students of all levels across SUNY, where sensitive social issues around the globe could be discussed respectfully. The topics discussed included:

1. "Building Community In Times of Social Unrest"

2. "Gentrification in New York State"

3. "A House Divided: What would we have to give up to get the political system we want?"

4. "Confronting Anti-Semitism: Yom-Hashoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day"

Also during the Spring term, the Buffalo Project partnered with Buffalo community leaders in support of victims of human trafficking through the artistic event called "Typography of Women", initially programmed for March, but rescheduled due to COVID-19.

Lastly, the Buffalo Project was heavily involved in the creation and development of SUNY Empire Connects, an online platform built in collaboration with SUNY Empire State College, its students, faculty and staff, designed to provide resources to the student body in times of COVID-19. The Buffalo Project was also proud to provide support to educators around the world with instructional continuity as they all transitioned to online learning amid COVID-19.

Through this means, the Buffalo Project acknowledges all individuals (students, faculty and staff alike) who collaborated with their hard work to make the Spring 2020 a success. We look forward to keep building connections and spreading our message of unity through education and respect.