A Message from the Dean
Greetings from the University at Buffalo School of Management.
With the spring semester well underway, we are approaching the one-year mark since the coronavirus first affected our operations here at UB. The impact this pandemic has had on all of our lives is truly profound. And while our community, nation and world have experienced devastating losses, there is light at the end of the tunnel. As I write this, vaccines are being rolled out, and we can look ahead to a time when life begins to feel normal again.
We continue to be buoyed by the resilience and optimism of our students, faculty, staff and alumni, and recognize there are silver linings even to these challenging times. Working from home has allowed many of us to spend more time with loved ones, and to find new ways to connect with those outside of our households. And I don’t know anyone who misses the rush-hour commute.
As a school, we have learned a great deal from this experience, as well. Alternative course delivery methods have become mainstream and will allow greater flexibility for faculty and students alike in the future. Many of our alumni are using their skills to lead their organizations through recovery, such as those featured in our cover story about the airline industry.
Students in our global programs discovered new cultures from the safety of home as we pivoted to a virtual model. And even when we return to regular travel, this will remain an option for those who are unable make those journeys for a variety of other reasons.
Thanks to a widespread comfort with platforms like Zoom, we launched a Leadership Coaching program and drew participants from a wider geographic range than ever before. Similarly, our Diversity and Inclusion Office partnered with our Career Resource Center to host a panel for employers where students candidly discussed their expectations for diversity in the workplace.
While these are just a few examples, you will find more throughout this issue of Buffalo Business. What we have learned will allow us to be more nimble as a school and as individuals—and to continue to grow as we fulfill our mission and vision.
Warm regards,