Meet the Undergraduate Ambassadors

5 students wearing sunglasses and smiling in front of a blue background.
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Anthropology

Caiden Class

(he/him)

Majors: Anthropology and Biotechnology

Campus/community involvement: UB marching band and community assistant

Fun fact: I studied slow lorises in Thailand this summer.

What advice do you have for future UB students?
What I like best about my department is the opportunity for unique and exciting experiences. The Department of Anthropology is full of labs and organizations that offer you chances to study and work abroad. There are also opportunities locally with projects designed to research and help Buffalo.

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Sarah Gatesman

(she/her)

Major: Anthropology

Campus/community involvement: Anthropology Club vice president, Circle K, Book club, Wegmans employee

Fun fact: I love reading and collecting plants!

What advice do you have for future UB students? 
To future students, know that you are never stuck. Whether it is your major, your roommates or anything in your life, you have the ability to make changes and figure out what works for you. College is a time of growth and with that comes uncertainty and questions on whether you made the right decisions. Be patient, tackle challenges and know that you are not alone.

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River North

(she/they)

Major: Anthropology
Minor: Communication

Campus/community involvement: McNair scholar,  Anthropology Club events coordinator, Girl Scouts of Western New York lifetime member, American Anthropological Association member and the Society for the Anthropology of Europe member

Fun fact: I like to do content creation/streaming in my spare time!

What advice do you have for future UB students? 
UB is uniquely situated to give students the opportunity to succeed without training wheels. The campus and community hosts a wealth of opportunity for students of all backgrounds and interests. The most important thing you can do as a UB student is take advantage of the opportunities. All of the wonderful things I'm involved in at UB have come from a willingness to step outside my comfort zone and be an advocate for myself.

Art

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Max Flanigan

(he/him)

Major: Fine Art (Painting concentration)

Campus/community involvement: Poetry Club vice president

Fun fact: I have cousins with webbed toes.

What advice do you have for future UB students?
My advice for future UB students is to leave your comfort zone and branch out.

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Milo Lauria

(she/they)

Majors: Communication and Fine Art (Graphic design concentration)

Campus/community involvement: Media Study Club, Communication Undergraduate Student Association (CUSA), Center for the Arts photo lab worker

Fun fact: I have five cats and a dog!

What do you like best about your department?
Coming to UB has helped me grow my portfolio and interests more than I could’ve ever imagined! I love how the Art department has so many different supplies and mediums to help you create whatever you want.

Asian Studies

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Ava Holloway

(she/her)

Majors: Asian Studies

Campus/community involvement: Chinese Language Program, Chinese Student Association, Black Student Union

Fun fact: I played 10 sports

What do you like best about your program?
I love how inviting the staff here are, they are always willing to do whatever they can to help out their students.

Biological Sciences

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Samantha Sorensen

(she/her)

Major: Biological Sciences

Campus/community involvement: Bio Honors program, Honors College, UB Center for Leadership and Global Impact Ambassador, Women in Science and Engineering club, Pre-Dental Club and a teaching assistant for Cellular Biology Labs, Biochemistry Lecture and Genetics lecture

Fun fact: I have 3 dogs and 3 cats!

What do you like best about your department?
The Department of Biological Sciences feels like a community to me. The professors genuinely want to see us students succeed and are always willing to provide resources, guidance, and encouragement to help us grow. One of the things I appreciate most is how approachable the faculty are. Whether I'm stopping by to ask about course material, discuss how to manage a busy exam schedule, or even just chat about weekend plans, the professors are always welcoming and supportive. That sense of comfort and community is what makes the Biology Department such a special place to learn and grow.

 

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Haile Hamilton-Coore

(she/her)

Major: Biological Sciences

Campus/community involvement: Emergency Services, Association of Pre-Medical Students, Yoga, Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (MAPS) shadowing coordinator

Fun fact: I have been a dancer for over 10 years!

What advice do you have for future UB students?
Don't be too hard on yourself. It’s okay feel overwhelmed; it’s all part of the process. There’s always room to improve, and you have time to do so. Be patient with yourself and celebrate the small victories along the way!

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Daksh Maini

(he/him)

Major: Biological Sciences
Minor: Spanish

Campus/community involvement: Pre-Dental Association, Association of Pre-Medical Students, Honors College mentor, Unibuddy, Honors College

Fun fact: I have been to over 15 countries!

What do you like best about your department?
The best thing you can do to succeed in any class is to take advantage of office hours. It's the best way to get direct help from the teacher on homework or content, and you end up learning more from questions other students have. Office hours are always super relaxed, and there's no pressure when you attend and can only help you in your understanding.

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Audrey Nardolillo

Major: Biological Sciences

Campus/community involvement:  UB Honors College, Biology Honors research, PAL leader

Fun fact: I'm a boxer! Let's just say I'm a lot more dangerous in 16-ounce gloves than I look in a classroom.

What advice do you have for future UB students?
If I could give future students one piece of advice, it's that it is okay to be uncertain. You might feel pressured to plan your entire future right now, but you don't have to. Slow down and reflect on what really matters to you. Even if you change your direction ten times, remember: exploring your options is much better than sticking with something that doesn't make you happy.

Matthew Esposito

(he/him)

Major: Biological Sciences

Campus/community involvement: Undergraduate research, Buffalo Promise Neighborhood Volunteer, Tutor at TASS

Fun fact: I had a commercial acting career at the age of 9

What advice do you have for future UB students?
Get comfortable in uncomfort. Try new things, especially early on. You aren't here to over-optimize your schedule, you want to figure out and learn where you want to be in life through trial and error.

Christopher Page

(he/him)

Major: Biological Sciences

Campus/community involvement: Community Assistant, Association of Pre-Medical Students, Honors College, BIO Honors, Research Assistant

Fun fact: I love reading 19th century French literature!

What advice do you have for future UB students?
Get involved and explore as much as you possibly can. The key to getting access to all the things that UB has to offer is to build relationships with faculty and staff, so don't feel scared to talk to or email professors!

Carsyn Bonesteel

Major: Bioinformatics
Minor: Statistcs

Chemistry

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Gabe Dietzman

(she/her)

Major: Chemistry

Campus/community involvement: Honors College, UB Bees, Women in Science and Engineering club, undergraduate research

Fun fact: Bees are my favorite animals.

What advice do you have for future UB students?
Try everything. One of the advantages of having a big university is having tons of opportunities. Not everything will be your cup of tea but you won’t know if something is for you unless you try it.

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Sean Carroll

Majors: Chemistry and Material Science and Engineering

Campus/community involvement: Engineers for a Sustainable World executive board, Club Ultimate Frisbee and TASS tutor

Fun fact: I won the Oozefest pie-eating contest.

What advice do you have for future UB students?
Stay active. A healthy body is a healthy mind that can stay on top of its studies. Even just a walk around our beautiful campus is great exercise and a nice study break.

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Samantha Striemer

(she/her)

Major: Chemistry
Minors: Geological Sciences and Mathematics

Campus/community involvement: UB Audubon club president, Honors College, Undergraduate Research

Fun fact: I have a pressed penny collection!

What advice do you have for future UB students?
Don't just show up to class. Get involved in the UB community! There are always events happening on campus and there are so many clubs to join! Also, there are tons of research and internship opportunities if you look for them.

Classics

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Nikita Condlin

(he/him)

Majors: Anthropology and Classics

Campus/community involvement: Classics Club, community assistant

Fun fact: My hobby is learning and listening to history of piracy during the Age of Sail.

What do you like best about your department?
What makes the Department of Classics great is the ability to simultaneously learn about a whole different world so distant from us that it may as well be on another planet and at the same time being able to see the remnants of that ancient world in our modern society. Greeks and Romans, which form the center of the study of classics, have impacted our world throughout the millennia and continue to be the base to most parts of our society today.

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Ash Ferguson

(they/them)

Major: Classics
Minor: Religion and Gender

Campus/community involvement: Honors College

Fun fact: I played professional roller derby for the Buffalo Saucies!

What advice do you have for future UB students?
Don't force anything. It may feel tempting to be a part of every club, attend every event, meet every person you can, but that can be very overwhelming at the beginning. College is stressful enough without all that so don't feel pressured to take on more than you can just for the sake of the "college experience." Everything you want and need at school will fall into place eventually, I promise you.

Communication

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Lucy Voelkl

(she/her)

Majors: Communication and Sociology

Campus/community involvement: Honors College, Outdoor Adventure Club

Fun fact: I have been skiing since I was in first grade!

What advice do you have for future UB students?
The biggest piece of advice that I can give to future UB students is to start building your network now! Whether you are emailing the head of a department you may be interested in, or are reaching out to current students to find out more about student life, those micro connections build community. I have found that everyone at UB is more than happy to talk, and if they don't know the answer they will happily connect you to the right recourses.

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Hope Corrao

(she/her)

Major: Communication 

Campus/community involvement: UB Stand Up and Laugh, Good Morning Buffalo.

Fun fact: I think the new A$AP Rocky album is album of the year. I am also trying to start a radio club on campus.

What do you like best about your department?
The thing I like best about my department is that professors actually want you to succeed and love when you reach out for help.

Isaiah Sjikany

Major: Communication

Communicative Disorders and Sciences

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Joslyn Brown

(she/her)

Major: Speech and Hearing Science
Minors: American Sign Language

Campus/community involvement: Impulse Dance Force treasurer, UB Lending A Paw president, Student Association of Speech and Hearing treasurer, UB Honors Ambassador, Buffalo Oromotor Speech & Swallowing Lab research assistant

Fun Fact: My favorite Disney movie is High School Musical.

What do you like best about your department?
My favorite thing about my department is the interconnectedness. Staff and professors strive to build bonds with all student involved, whether that be through department events or a simple hello in the hallway.

 

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Julia DiPasquale

(she/her)

Major: Speech and Hearing Science
Minors: American Sign Language and Health and Human Services

Campus/community involvement: College of Arts and Sciences peer advisor, Student Association for Speech and Hearing (SASH) president, CDS Listening Experience Lab undergraduate researcher,  Buffalo VA Hospital patient visitor volunteer

Fun Fact: I've seen almost all of my favorite bands in concert! 

What do you like best about your department?
What I love most about the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders is that the faculty have allowed me to immerse myself in the field of Speech and Hearing both at UB and in the Buffalo community. Their support and dedication have helped me discover my passion for audiology within a welcoming environment!

Earth Sciences

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Alexandra Avellaneda

(she/her)

Major: Earth Science
Minors: Physics, Math

Campus/community involvement: Undergraduate Research, UB Symphony Orchestra, Earth Science Club

Fun fact: I like to collect postcards!

What do you like best about your department?
I enjoy how small but active the department of Earth Science is! Having a small department makes getting involved and reaching faculty is very accessible. Additionally with small class sizes, you make connections and become familiar with the everyone in the department quickly.

Economics

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Claire Summerell

(she/her)

Major: Economics
Minor: Chinese

Campus/community involvement: UB Food Recovery Network, Honors College, Student-Athlete academic tutor

Fun fact: I am fluent in four languages, and I am currently learning Chinese as my fifth language!

What advice do you have for future UB students?
The advice I would give to future UB students would be that you can always learn something from every opportunity, class or activity that you participate in. Some of my favorite classes have been prerequisite courses or general education requirements that I was not particularly excited to take. However, whether through amazing professors or interesting content, these courses have often allowed me to develop new skills and interests I hadn’t discovered before. In some cases, these classes have completely changed the trajectory of my academic path.

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Abiman Thayaparan

(he/him)

Major: Economics
Minor: History

Campus/community involvement: Economics Club, ECO 181 teaching assistant

Fun fact: I can solve a Rubik's cube.

What advice do you have for future UB students?
Explore your academic interests. UB offers over 150 undergraduate degree programs, and you can take classes outside of your major if you’re interested in another field of study or wish to find one that captivates you. Your pathway courses are a great way to do this. Additionally, don't hesitate to talk to your professors. They love helping students during office hours and are more than happy to help you with classwork or answer questions about their field.

Thomas Bray-Vargas

Major: Economics
Minor: Mathematics

Kaiyi Wang

Major: Economics
Minors: Mathematics and Computer Science

English

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Molly Penzer

Majors: English/School Librarianship combined BA/MS

Campus/community involvement:  English Club

Fun fact: I have a cat named Dallas after a character in the book The Outsiders

What do you like best about your department?
The classes are different and unique, focusing on specific topics that I would have otherwise knew very little about. Learning about other cultures and their history of literature is fascinating and such a great opportunity.

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Brooke Spilski

(she/her)

Major: English 

Campus/community involvement: English Club vice president

Fun fact: I can draw Garfield on top of a latte with caramel.

What advice do you have for future UB students?
Get involved with the school! There are so many clubs to join and events to attend. It can be daunting, but it helps with finding your people and connecting with others.

Environment and Sustainability

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Jaxon Phillips

(he/him)

Major: Environmental Science
Minor: Geology

Campus/community involvement: Marching band (drumline)

Fun fact: I have a black belt in Tae Kwon Do!

What advice do you have for future UB students?
My advice for future UB students is to get involved in on-campus organizations. UB has a plethora of unique clubs, athletic groups, study abroad programs, and on-campus events that can get you in touch with like-minded students, it's a great way to make new friends!

Geography

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Phoebe Amirault

(she/her)

Majors: International Trade

Campus/community involvement: Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Fraternity, Sisters in Law, UB Club Field Hockey, Impulse Dance Force

Fun fact: I spent my entire junior year of high school in Germany on the Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange!

What advice do you have for future UB students?
Take advantage of every opportunity that interests you. UB is a large school, but it can feel small if you don't push yourself to get involved. If you see a class or club that interests you, go experience it before you decide it's not for you. There is something for everyone here, but you may have to go out and look for what you want. So put yourself out there, let yourself feel nervous or uncomfortable for a little bit, so you can end up making the most out of your time here.

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Mercury Helen

(she/her)

Majors: Environmental Studies and Geographic Information Systems

Campus/community involvement: Botany Club, Upward Bound

Fun fact: I have two cats.

What advice do you have for future UB students?
Don't be afraid to go to office hours! It seems daunting at first (especially if you're an introvert), but it is much better than stressing out on your own. The professors and TAs are there to help you.

Global Gender and Sexuality Studies

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Dre Cappiello

Major: Global Gender and Sexuality Studies
Minor: History

Selah Edwards

Major: Global Gender and Sexuality Studies

Mykayla Simmons

Majors: Global Gender and Sexuality Studies and Psychology

History

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Clare Grocki

(she/her)

Major: History

Campus/community involvement:  Politics, Philosophy and Economics Club, Her Campus vice president, Sisters in Law, Undergraduate History Association

Fun Fact: I was born on International Women's Day!

What advice do you have for future UB students?
Give yourself space to feel the weight of this adjustment. Focus on processing your own emotions rather than forcing yourself to ignore them. Don't compare your experience to anyone else's, whether that's other people at school or your friends at home - it's inevitable to have struggles with adjusting to such a big life change, and everyone goes through it, whether it's apparent or not. Be genuine, do what you want, give yourself time, and you'll find fulfillment out of this new era.

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Paige Bedell

(she/her)

Major: History/Social Studies Education combined BA/EdM

Campus/community involvement: Undergraduate History Association vice president, Phi Alpha Theta member, Shea's Performing Arts volunteer, Welcome Weekend Leader

Fun Fact: I love the Buffalo Sabres and the Buffalo Bills!!!

What do you like best about your department?
I like the many different course you can take in the Department of History. How there is a professor for everything you could wish to know about history and they are always willing to talks.

Nic Brodnicki

Major: History/Social Studies Education combined BA/EdM

Campus/community involvement: Undergraduate History Association member, Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society member

Fun Fact: I love pro-wrestling!

What do you like best about your department?
What I like best about my department are my professors. They are professional and have so much to offer the student body, both history and non-history majors. They have a wealth of knowledge to share with everybody, are more than willing to help students whenever they can, and on occasion are known to have some fun in the classroom

Indigenous Studies

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Tianna Thuman

(she/her)

Majors: Indigenous Studies and Health and Human Services

Campus/community involvement: UBISC (UB Indigenous Student Collective) treasurer 

Fun Fact: I love shopping!

What do you like best about your department?
One of the things I value most about the Department of Indigenous Studies is the truly welcoming and supportive environment it fosters. The department feels like a strong community, where both faculty and students are committed to each other’s growth and success. Professors not only challenge us academically but also demonstrate genuine care for our personal well-being and future goals. The students in the program are encouraging and collaborative, creating a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported. This sense of belonging makes the department more than just a place to study, it is a community built on respect, shared learning and mutual support, where lasting connections and meaningful experiences are formed.

Linguistics

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Natalia Calabrese

(she/her)

Majors: Linguistics
Minor: Sociology

Campus/community involvement: Philosophy, Politics and Economics club president, Creolistics Reading Group member, research assistant, research advocate, teaching assistant

Fun fact: I'm a nationally ranked athlete for the sport curling.

What advice do you have for future UB students?
I recommend for incoming students to surround themselves in their major by watching YouTube videos on the subject and talk with other students and professors of that major regularly so that studying feels natural.

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Aaron Field

(he/him)

Majors: Linguistics
Minor: Studio Art

Campus/community Involvement: Honors College, Honors LGBTQIA+ Affinity Group, UB's LGBTA Club, Asexuality Club, CaLiCo Lab Research Assistant, New to UB student staff

Fun fact: I like to hand make cards for birthdays and holidays!

What advice do you have for future UB students?
My advice to future UB students is to really get involved on campus! You're paying for this experience, so you might as well make the most of it! There are so many events that are running every day where you can relax, do crafts, get free stuff, and start to build community on campus. One of the best decisions I made my freshman year was joining the Jr. E-Board for the LGBTA! I met so many people there, and it helped me to get over some of my anxiety as well since I had the opportunity to get practice with leadership that I wouldn't have otherwise. However you decide to go about it, getting involved is a surefire way to find friends and enjoy your time on campus!

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Adrian Mohr

(they/them)

Majors: Linguistics
Minors: Cultural Anthropology and Indigenous Studies

Campus/community Involvement: Classics Club historian, Impulse Dance Force member, undergraduate research

Fun fact: I've been a published author since high school (fiction writing)!

What do you like best about your department?
I love that the Department of Linguistics is as small as it is because it makes getting to each professor that much easier. There is a lot of connection and a lot of support to keep students engaged and focused on understanding the content. Plus, being so small it makes it easy to make connections and friends within the department, I've got some great friends because of Linguistics.

Danillo Book

Major: Linguistics

Mathematics

Julia Collins

Major: Applied Mathematics

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Quentin Gibbons

(he/him)

Majors: Applied Mathematics and Physics

Campus/community involvement: PAL leader, TASS tutor, Honors College

Fun fact: I enjoy singing and playing cello.

What do you like best about your departments?
All of my teachers have been very invested in helping students learn and have been enthusiastic to answer just about any questions students have, especially during office hours. While it can be difficult in larger classes, the professors love helping students who show a genuine interest in the material.

Ryan Saab

Majors: Applied Mathematics and Neuroscience

Media Study

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Amber Manto

(she/her)

Majors: English and Media Study

Campus/community involvement: UB Stand Up president, Media Study Club vice president, Women in Media officer

Fun fact: I can name all the US states in under a minute!

What advice do you have for future UB students?
My advice for future UB students is to go to clubs, get involved and meet people!

Music

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Bob Bartolotta

(he/him)

Major: Combined Music MusB/Music Education EdM
Minor: Spanish

Campus/community involvement: UB Chamber Singers, UB Symphony Orchestra, UB Jazz Choir, UB Club Soccer, Buffalo Master Chorale

Fun fact: I love musical theatre and have played roles in productions on campus!

What do you like best about your department?
The thing that I love about the music department at UB is most definitely the faculty and professors. Everyone is incredibly welcoming and even though the department is relatively small, it is thriving and there is so much talent amongst the faculty and the students. It's the professors that I worked with here that helped me decide that I wanted to truly focus on my passion for music.

Philosophy

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Brielle Frisicaro

(she/her)

Majors: English and Philosophy
Minors: Journalism and Political Science

Campus/community involvement: Mock trial, Conscientious Community member,  Her Campus Club e-board, Philadelphia Civic Engagement Alternate Break.

Fun fact: I used to figure skate.

What advice do you have for future UB students?
My biggest piece of advice for future UB students is to take things one step at a time. UB is a huge school, which can seem really overwhelming in the beginning, but it is what makes it so great--there's a community for everyone. I cannot recommend enough to join a club, there are over 400 of them at UB and it helps to make the school seem much smaller. There are so many opportunities at UB, make the most of them!

Sara LaRoche Lee

Major: Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Minor: Education

Tyler Michaels

Majors: Law and Philosophy
Minor: Computer Science

Grace Winchester

(she/her)

Majors: Philosophy
Minor: English

Campus/community involvement: I like rying new things with friends!

Fun fact: I was originally a STEM major!

What do you like best about your department?
What I love about the philosophy department is how there are so many familiar faces each semester. You get to know a lot of people in the philosophy major because it's a pretty small department; the intimacy of it makes the sharing of ideas even more beautiful!

Physics

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Quentin Gibbons

(he/him)

Majors: Applied Mathematics and Physics

Campus/community involvement: PAL leader, TASS tutor, Honors College

Fun fact: I enjoy singing and playing cello.

What do you like best about your departments?
All of my teachers have been very invested in helping students learn and have been enthusiastic to answer just about any questions students have, especially during office hours. While it can be difficult in larger classes, the professors love helping students who show a genuine interest in the material.

Political Science

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Joe Piccolo

(he/him)

Majors: History and Political Science
Minor: Communication

Campus/community involvement:  Phi Alpha Delta, Phi Eta Sigma, TASS

Fun fact: I once led a team from New York State to a national competiton for Mock Trial.

What do you like best about your department?
I love the Department of Political Science because the professors there want to see us succeed and reach our goals, and there are lots of opportunities for growth and leadership in the department.

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Marissa Taylor

(she/her)

Majors: Communication and Political Science
Minor: Entrepreneurship

Campus/community involvement:  Intern at Senator Schumer’s Buffalo District Office, Sisters in Law co-founder and co-president, Phi Alpha Delta community service and brotherhood committee member, Honors College, teaching assistant for PSC 301: Cases in Civil Liberties under Dr. Abigail Matthews.

Fun fact: I was a guest singer for the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus in collaboration with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, showcasing my passion for music alongside my academic and professional pursuits.

What advice do you have for future UB students?
Shape your UB experience with intention by utilizing the exceptional resources and faculty available to you. Approach every opportunity with a mindset of continuous learning, growth, and self-improvement. Your education is what you make of it—embrace challenges, seek out new experiences, and actively shape your academic and professional journey.

Psychology

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Moyinoluwa Erinfolami

(she/her)

Majors: Psychology and Sociology
Minor: Prison Studies

Campus/community involvement: Social Metacognition research assistant, Sisters in Law deputy president, Impulse Dance Force, Honors College

Fun fact: I will never turn down a chance to go thrifting!

What advice do you have for future UB students?
Stay open-minded and willing to try new activities. Entering such a large university can feel overwhelming at first as you might worry about making friends or finding your place on campus. Getting involved in campus organizations and events is one of the best ways to ease this feeling. I've met some of my closest friends through extracurriculars, and you can too, because shared interests make connecting with others so much easier. You'll also create memories that will stay with you long after graduation. If an activity doesn't feel right, you can always leave early and try something else. Don't wait until senior year to realize there were experiences you missed out on when you can explore everything that sparks your interest now. By trying new activities, you'll not only find your community but truly feel like part of UB!

 

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Carly Profic

(she/her)

Major: Psychology
Minor: Counseling

Campus/community involvement: SCoPE Lab research assistant and Psi Chi member

Fun fact: I have a twin brother!

What advice do you have for future UB students?
Embrace all of the opportunities and experiences that UB has to offer. There are so many different ways to become involved on campus, from experiential learning opportunities to the many different clubs offered. Don't be afraid to try something new and meet new people along the way!

Romance Languages and Literatures

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Megan Aichinger

(she/her)

Majors: Business Administration and French

Campus/community involvement: Honors college, Women in Management executive board member, French Club founder/executive board

Fun fact: I have been to 6 countries!

What advice do you have for future UB students? 
Take advantage of all the opportunities available at UB. College is about much more than just attending classes. It's a chance to join clubs, attend events, volunteer, study abroad, develop professional skills, and build meaningful relationships. While some of these opportunities may feel intimidating at first, stepping outside your comfort zone can help shape both your personal and professional growth.

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Alex Premschetz

(he/him)

Majors: Exercise Science
Minor: Italian

Campus/community involvement: UB Boxing Club member, UB Italian Student Association, Wegmans employee.

Fun fact: I love mountain biking and snowboarding.

What advice do you have for future UB students?
My advice for future UB students is to try as many new things as possible in your first year. There are tons of clubs and activities, and even though you probably won't enjoy everything you try, there is definitely something that you will fall in love with! You'll also meet a ton of awesome people and make some great friends along the way! Don't be afraid to get out of your comfort zone and go explore everything that UB has to offer!

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John Williams

(he/him)

Majors: Psychology and Spanish

Campus/community involvement: Community Assistant, Honors College, Residence Hall Association liaison, National Residence Hall Honorary member

Fun fact: I love to watch Formula 1.

What advice do you have for future UB students?
Get involved in as many different things as possible. UB provides the environment for such an enriching experience with opportunities to meet friends, find a sense of community and develop yourself academically, personally and professionally. Future students should keep their eye out for any opportunity they might be interested in because it all starts with getting involved.

Social Sciences Interdisciplinary

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Nick Patkalitsky

Major: Legal Studies
Minor: Sociology

Campus/community involvement: Phi Alpha Delta International Pre-law Fraternity head of professional development

Fun fact: I love running, lifting, and anything that keeps me active!

What advice do you have for future UB students?
UB is unique because it provides a large school feel with the resources and community of a small school. Take advantage of the tons of groups, clubs, and activities to make you feel at home whether you're commuting or living on campus!

Naima Galeas

Majors: Legal Studies and Political Science
Minor: Sociology

Sociology and Criminology

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Deanna Mastrogiacomo

(she/her)

Major: Criminology

Campus/community involvement: Undergraduate teaching assistant, Prison Studies program

Fun fact: I love the New York Yankees!

What do you like best about your department?
My favorite thing about the Department of Sociology and Criminology is all of the diverse class options within, as well as the faculty and their commitment to their work. 

Theatre and Dance

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Ryan Butler

(he/him/his)

Major: Music Theatre

Campus/community involvement: Theatre and Dance student recruitment assistant, UB and local performer, Town pickleball league.

Fun fact: I've competed in 2 National competitions. 1 for Theatre, and 1 for Film.

What advice do you have for future students?
Take every opportunity you can, there's no shortage of them. UB is experienced best when you grab the bull by its horns. Go to class, do your work, and give the amount of effort equal to the knowledge and experiences you want back.

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Danielle Walker

(she/her)

Major: Music Theatre

Campus/community involvement: Campus tour guide, theatre season selection committee, curricular shows, Spring 2026 assistant director and line producer

Fun fact: I have a dog named Lilo!

What do you like best about your department?
The Department of Theatre and Dance is such an intimate personal department within a big school! You still get the personal one on one training as a conservatory with the same opportunities at a big school.

 

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Erinn Cosgrove

(she/her)

Majors: Theater Dance, Communication

Campus/community involvement: Zodiaque Dance Company, Dancers Workshop, UB Choreo Club, Campus 2 Community (Dance Outreach Group), Media Psychology & Morality Lab undergrad research assistant, Department of Theatre and Dance recruitment assistant

Fun fact: My favorite food is blueberry pancakes.

What do you like best about your department?
My favorite thing about the Theatre and Dance Department is how the sense of community is so strong. Everyone is so kind and supportive and you will always find a friendly face!

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Liam Deyell

(he/him/his)

Majors: Theater Dance, Technology

Minor: Dance

Campus/community involvement: Theatre productions at the CFA

Fun fact: I have 4 brothers

What do you like best about your department?
The thing about my department that I like best is how hands-on it is. I get to physically work on shows, and I am being guided by mentors who truly care.

Mackenzie Leone

Major: Dance, Psychology