Contact Our Practicum Education Staff

Michael Lynch.

Michael Lynch

Clinical Associate Professor; Director of Practicum Education


Research Interests: practicum education; technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in social work practice and learning; community organizing and development; social innovation; social work services in schools

637 Baldy Hall

Phone: 716-645-1236; Fax: 716-645-3157

Email: mrlynch2@buffalo.edu

  • Oversees the Practicum Education staff and day-to-day operations.
  • Assigns all faculty liaisons to their students/agencies.
  • Negotiates and monitors all practicum-related contracts, including paid outside practicum educators, adjunct faculty liaisons and agency contracts.
  • Coordinates/chairs all student practicum termination review meetings.
  • Responsible for the contents of the Practicum Handbook.

Please contact Mike (or direct a student/agency to contact Mike) regarding administrative issues, such as School of Social Work HR personnel inquiries and requests for exceptions to or a change in policy. In addition, contact Mike if you're unable to reach, or wish to express concerns about, a member of the Practicum Education team.

Marjorie Quartley.

Marjorie Quartley

Assistant Director of Practicum Education

635 Baldy Hall

Phone: 716-645-1233; Fax: 716-645-3157

Email: quartley@buffalo.edu

  • Coordinates practicums for online students.
  • Oversees the online student practicum process.
  • Coordinates the development of new practicum opportunities and conducts new site visits.
  • Co-develops and implements trainings and orientations for students and/or practicum educators.

Please contact Margie (or direct a student/agency to contact Margie) with questions regarding new practicum development and outside of the Erie/Niagara region practicums.

Kathryn McClain-Meeder.

Alexander Rubin

Clinical Assistant Professor, Practicum Education


Research Interests: practicum education; acceptance and commitment therapy; technology and social work

647 Baldy Hall

Phone: 716-645-1225; Fax: 716-645-3157

Email: ajrubin@buffalo.edu

  • Places students in Erie and Niagara counties.
  • Assists with practicum development.
  • Oversees adjunct/faculty Liaisons.
  • Co-develops trainings and orientations.

Please contact Alex with any questions relating to student practicum, practicum development or performance in practicum.

Sterling James.

Sterling James

Practicum Education Coordinator

645 Baldy Hall

Phone: 716-645-1224; Fax: 716-645-3157

Email: sljames4@buffalo.edu

  • Coordinates practicums for online students.
  • Assists with practicum development.
  • Co-develops and implements trainings and orientations.

Please contact Sterling with any questions relating to student practicum, practicum development or performance in practicum.

Laura Turnbull

LMSW, Placement Coordinator

  • Oversees practicums in Chautauqua County in New York State, Canada, and states outside of New York in the United States.

Please contact Laura with any questions relating to practicum in Chautauqua County in New York State, Canada and states outside of New York in the United States.

Kathryn E. B. Griswold.

Kathryn E. B. Griswold

Administrative Practicum Coordinator

636 Baldy Hall

Phone: 716-645-1234; Fax: 716-645-3157

Email: kg52@buffalo.edu

  • Oversees the maintenance of the practicum database that tracks all practicum information (student, practicum educator, task supervisor, agency and liaison).
  • Responsible for oversight of the practicum web-based information and paperwork (i.e. practicum application materials, advanced year agency search, etc.).

Please contact Kathryn (or direct a student/agency to contact Kathryn) with questions regarding the process of completing necessary practicum paperwork, questions regarding access to online information, affiliation agreements, listservs, tuition waivers and continuing education vouchers.