OUR STUDENTS AND ALUMNI

By Catherine Donnelly

Palmatier was born in Burma (Myanmar) and planned to be an educator when she completed her undergraduate degree at the Myanmar Union Adventist Seminary. She followed that with a master’s in education from the Philippines, expecting to teach in Asia. While she knew many who had moved to the United States, she did not originally plan to relocate here.

“One of my last visits to the U.S. was with my cousin before I went to Thailand for a teaching position,” Palmatier says. “I was connected with the International Institute of Buffalo, and they offered to help me seek asylum. I am very fortunate that I applied when I did because of the legal support they provided.”

Palmatier expected to continue teaching, but the New York State Education Department would not accept her credentials. She started taking classes again but realized she had a new passion to work with other refugees as an interpreter.

“I learned that I could become a certified court interpreter and make a difference in the Burmese community,” she says. “But I also was starting to learn about social work. So, I applied to UB. I was accepted and found the curriculum to be challenging but important too.”

Palmatier chose the part-time MSW program so she could continue to work and take care of her family. “I had two small children, and my husband was not well,” she continues. “I was the primary breadwinner while trying to take classes, complete my fieldwork experiences and do homework. I am still unsure how I did all of that!”

Her field experiences included the Children’s Center at Erie County Family Court and the Jericho Road Community Health Center. Now as an alumna and field educator, Palmatier is proud to support current students in their experiential learning. The School of Social Work honored her with the Outstanding Achievement in Field Education award in 2023.

“I was nervous the first time I mentored a student. I told them I was scared too, but then I shaped their mentorship around the reality and authenticity of the immigrant experience,” she says. “I want my students to be able to compare and contrast with the social hierarchy systems they learn at UB. I share everything I know so they can make informed decisions for themselves.”

When she graduated, Palmatier planned to do clinical social work, but decided to continue her work in the immigrant community, while taking care of her family. She joined as a volunteer when the Karen Society of Buffalo (KSB) began and is now the executive director. KSB is a community-based organization that assists the Karen people, one of many persecuted ethnic groups from Burma. KSB estimates that over 10,000 Burmese refugees have relocated to Buffalo during the past 15 years.

“I hope that we [KSB] are a haven for people who need help,” Palmatier continues. “Beyond basic needs, we have expanded to offer cultural programs, after-school activities and a soccer league to boost community engagement.”

Palmatier wishes she took more classes at UB about the nonprofit world, but she still uses lessons she learned in family systems and trauma-informed care. She also developed close relationships with School of Social Work faculty members Wooksoo Kim and Isok Kim and continues to collaborate with them.

“My UB professors still mentor me. If I seek advice, they always connect me to resources,” she continues. “I collaborate with them to address a wide range of challenges faced by the Burmese community, including health, mental health, substance use, education and employment. Our collaboration extends beyond research. While research is important, we are equally focused on building the capacity of the Karen community to overcome obstacles and thrive in the larger Buffalo community.”

Palmatier is excited by the KSB’s growth and continues to add full-time staff and case managers. She hopes to focus on developing programming and provide educational training and workshops for the community online or in person soon.

“Free time is very limited for me right now between my family needs and my work,” she says, “but finding time for yourself is very important, and I try to remember to stay positive in life.”