Higher Education & Student Affairs Careers
Involvement on Campus is the First Step...
Without realizing it, many college students develop skills related to careers in higher education and student affairs. Student involvement in academic and social activities on campus as well as experiences as club leaders, CA/RA/RDs, campus government representatives, orientation leaders, research assistants, or work-study students all foster skills relevant to higher education and student affairs. Please use this page to explore the possibilities of a career in higher education or student affairs and contact any of the alumni or staff listed below if you have questions or the three primary contacts below.
- John Sauter, Ph.D., Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs, College of Arts & Sciences
- Student Affairs / Campus Activities / Office of Multicultural Affairs / Residence Life
Careers in Higher Education
Academic Support |
Faculty |
Research |
Graduate Programs/Guides
Both ACPA and NASPA provide valuable information about student affairs careers including articles about the field, graduate school preparation and graduate program overviews. On the academic side of the house NACADA is a great resource for anyone interested in academic advising. The CAS Standards provide a set of guidelines and standards for the programs. As you explore the possibilities, be sure to get involved with some activities on campus, check in with Career Development for help with the application process and talk to people on campus who work in fields that interest you.
- ACPA’s Directory of Graduate Programs
- NASPA's Graduate Program Directory
- Student Affairs programs at GradSchools.com
Explore the Field in SOC 260: Sociology of Higher Education
Niagara University is unique in offering a course exploring higher education at the undergraduate level. Taught by Dr. Sauter, this SS/CD course examines historical, social, cultural, and environmental issues in higher education. Emphasis is given to the changing nature of higher education, technology, social movements, campus cultures, diversity and multicultural issues. Students will critically engage with theory and challenges facing different student and professional populations within higher education.
NU Alumni/Staff
The following Niagara University alumni and staff have volunteered to speak with students about careers in higher education and student affairs. Any additional NU alumni or staff who wish to be added to the list or update their contact information/positions should contact Dr. Sauter at jps@niagara.edu.
Buffalo State College (Master's)
- Amanda (Chapman) Casali - alcasali@buffalo.edu - NU Alumni
Admissions Advisor, University at Buffalo - Antonia Knight - abk@niagara.edu - NU Staff
Executive Director, Division of Academic Services, Niagara University - Stephanie Morris - smorris@niagara.edu - NU Staff
Assistant Director, Career Services. Education, Niagara University - Mati Ortiz - mortiz@niagara.edu - NU Staff
Director, Campus Activities, Niagara University
Canisius College (Master's)
- Josh Coyne - jcoyne@sandiego.edu - NU Alumni
Assistant Director for Associated Students, University of San Diego - Daniel LaRosa - dlarosa@buffalo.edu - NU Alumni
Admissions Advisor, University at Buffalo - E.J. Gonser - edward.gonser@niagaracc.suny.edu - NU Alumni
Director of Residence Life, NCCC - Kathryn Marzec - kam@niagara.edu - NU Staff
Advisor, Academic Exploration Program, Niagara University - Bill Newton - wjn@niagara.edu - NU Staff
Assistant Director, Campus Activities, Niagara University - Nicole Piorkowski - Former NU Staff
Assistant Director, Involvement Programs, Campus Labs
Kent State University (Master's)
- Ashlee Burrs - ashleeburrs@yahoo.com - NU Alumni
Program Coordinator, Office of Civic Engagement & Diversity, University of Nevada: Las Vegas
Slippery Rock University (Master's)
- Sarah Georger - sarah.dobe@gmail.com / sgeorger@udel.edu - NU Alumna
Program Coordinator, Co-Curricular Activity, Honors Program, University of Delaware
Springfield College (Master's) - M.Ed. in Psychology: Student Personnel Admin Concentration
- Kristy Cragg Sokol - sokolk@mailbox.sc.edu - NU Alumna
Community Enrichment Coordinator, Rochester Institute of Tech
Syracuse University (Master's & Ph.D)
- Kelly Colangelo - klcolang@syr.edu - NU Alumna
Youth Minister & Speaker, http://www.kellycolangelo.com/
University at Buffalo (Master's & Ph.D.)
- Dr. Jennifer Herman - jennifer.herman@simmons.edu (Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration) - Former NU Staff
Director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching, Simmons College - Dr. Teresa Miklitsch - tam24@buffalo.edu (Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration) - NU Alum
Senior Academic Advisor, Engineering/Applied Sciences, University at Buffalo - Dr. John Sauter - jps@niagara.edu (Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration) - NU Staff
Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs, Niagara University
Also M.Ed. University of Vermont (below) - Christopher Sheffield - crs@niagara.edu - NU Alumnus/Staff
- Assistant Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness and Student Affairs, Niagara University
- Jessica (Biegaj) Wangelin - jbiegaj@buffalo.edu (M.Ed., Ph.D. in Progress) - NU Alumna
Community Relations Associate for Programming, University at Buffalo
University of Vermont (Master's)
- Dr. John Sauter - jps@niagara.edu (Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration) - NU Staff
Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs, Niagara University
Also Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration, University at Buffalo (above)
College of William & Mary (Master's & Ph.D.)
- Kelly (Knox) Walker - kmknox@wm.edu / kelly.walker@marquette.edu - NU Alumni
Director of Community Service, Office of Student Development, Marquette University
Other Programs & Related Experience
- Stephanie Atti - attis@dyc.edu - NU Alumni
Work experience through Financial Aid
Academic Advisor, D'Youville College - Dina Martin - djm@niagara.edu - NU Alumni/Staff
Interdisciplinary Studies: Sociology/Student Affairs Focus
Assistant Director, Admissions/Transfer Coordinator - Bryan Semski - bsemski@niagara.edu - NU Alumni/Staff
Mental Health Counseling, Niagara University
Assistant Director, Admissions - Michelle Semski - michelle.semski@yahoo.com - NU Alumna
Interdisciplinary Studies: Student Affairs Focus
Academic Advisor, Trocaire College