Meet Our Students

Xinyi Lu is a qualitative and a quantitative researcher, she received her training from her M.A as well as my M.B.A background.

Rachel Pitonyak’s current research focuses primarily on the importance of women film directors, and the evolution of their work throughout time. 

Robert Pitts has a BA in sociology and an MA in Public Policy from Adler University. His current scholarship is in the symbolism and ritual of Afro-Atlantic religions and issues surrounding food aparthied.

Zachary Shackelford graduated Summa Cum Laude from UB with a Bachelor's in both Communications and African and African American studies. I hold a Master's in American Studies. My current research interests are public transportation access and equity, with a lens on the intersections of race, mental health, and policing. In addition, I research Black Liberation movements with a focus on their potential for healing intergenerational trauma in communities of color.