Amanda Casali is Kanien'kehà:ka and an enrolled citizen of Akwesasne / St. Regis Mohawk Nation. Casali grew up in the city of Buffalo. She attended Niagara University, where she completed a double major in psychology and sociology, and a minor in social sciences. She then pursued graduate studies in higher education administration (student personnel administration) at SUNY Buffalo State. She is currently pursuing her doctorate of education at SUNY Empire State University in educational leadership & change. Casali started her professional career at Native American Community Services (NACS), and then started at UB in 2009 in the Office of Admissions, and in UB’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences in 2016. She later moved to the College of Arts and Sciences in 2021, to help launch the Department of Indigenous Studies.

Amanda enjoys spending time with her husband, son, and dog, traveling around the world, visiting museums, going to the theater and Broadway shows, gardening, and home projects.

Education

EdD, Educational Leadership and Change, SUNY Empire State University (In Progress)

MS, Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration, SUNY Buffalo State University

BA, Psychology and Sociology, Niagara University 

Research Area

Amanda Casali’s research is a mixed methods approach on “How Higher Education Leadership can promote Indigenous Student Success on University Campuses”

Scholarly Interests

Indigenous Student Success and Retention, Educational Leadership and Administration, Access and Equity in Higher Education, Campus Climate and Inclusion, Experiential Learnings Outcomes, Indigenous Methodologies, Culturally Responsive Programming and Teaching

Courses Taught

IDS 100: Indigenous Learning Community

Professional Activities

Chapter Advisor, American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) UB Student Chapter

Chapter Advisor, Indigenous Student Collective

Member, Native American and Indigenous Studies Association (NAISA)

Member, American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)

Member, Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)

UB Campus Liaison, Native American SUNY: Western Consortium

NASA’s Space Grant Consortium First Nations Launch Rocket Workshop & Tripoli – High Powered Rocketry Level 1 Certified