Reflecting on 90 years of impact
In honor of our 90th anniversary, we asked alumni to share reflections from their time at the UB School of Social Work. Many highlighted the school’s impact on them or the community, and described favorite mentors or experiences that shaped their journey into social work. Here’s what they had to say.
“I never imagined that my degree in social work would be as influential to my future and so inform my career in finance, but it was! So much of the learnings from both classroom and fieldwork has had immense application to my success, particularly in helping me understand human dynamics and relationships — both of which are what business is ultimately all about. At every opportunity, I credit my degree with so much of my success, both in assessing any social system and in helping me keep both feet firmly planted on the ground. Much of what and who I am is directly attributable to the School of Social Work at UB.”
— Les Brun, BS ’74, Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO of Ariel Alternatives
“An important aspect of my life is a strong commitment to volunteerism. There is a Buddhist proverb, ‘If you light a lamp for someone it will also brighten your own path’; I feel it recognizes how important it is to connect with others.
My role as alumni advisor has allowed me to play an active role in promoting, supporting and assisting the growth of our school and our university. The School of Social Work’s 90th anniversary of excellence celebrates the school and our alumni, who are compassionate, purpose-driven people, dedicated to helping improve society. I am proud to be part of the School of Social Work.”
— Rita M. Andolina, MSW ’88, Alumni Advisor, UB School of Social Work
“As the UB School of Social Work celebrates 90 years of excellence, I want to share how grateful I am that I have been part of this school’s history over the past 27 years. My graduation in 1997 was only the beginning, as I have had the privilege to stay involved as an alum in a variety of ways over the years, including field education, the Field Advisory Board and ongoing professional development for myself and my team at Crisis Services. I was beyond humbled to receive the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award, and I look forward to continuing to support the UB School of Social Work and its outstanding future social workers!”
— Tracie A. Bussi, MSW ’97, Director of Emergency Mental Health Response Services, Crisis Services
“I applied for the JD/MSW dual degree program at UB more as a way to ensure I had a plan B if a career in law did not work out. Now almost 30 years after graduating from UB, I can say some of the most relevant classes for my current work as a public interest attorney were the classes I took in the School of Social Work. Courses such as Interventions have made me a better lawyer for my individual clients, many of whom have a significant trauma history and experience severe economic stressors. Other courses, such as Theories of Organizational Behavior and Development, have helped me navigate dynamics within the nonprofit organization I work for and the community coalitions I participate in.”
— Nelson Mar, JD/MSW ’98, Senior Staff Attorney, Legal Services NYC – Bronx
“Celebrating the UB School of Social Work’s 90th anniversary signifies its enduring impact in shaping lives and futures. As an alumna and longtime mentor, I have valued the connections forged with esteemed faculty, administrators, colleagues and students in the UB community.
UB was instrumental in shaping my professional journey and instilling in me the belief that there are no limits to what one can achieve. Clinical Professor Denise Krause’s class on child welfare inspired me to look at life differently and see my purpose. Interacting with successful leaders like former Dean Nancy J. Smyth underscored the importance of embracing innovation. By striving for more, I was able to establish my own practice to advance the quality of my service, while continuing to contribute to the school. Happy 90th to this New York State gem that has been a gateway to my evolving future!”
— Marcy Abramsky, MSW ’99, Owner and Clinical Director of InspireAmind Counseling
“The School of Social Work brought out my passion, purpose and courage to be a support to those in need of advocacy for improved quality of life. The school gave me direction and helped me to strengthen my voice so that I could be a voice for those who feel they are not heard or lack direction on where to turn.
I’d like to publicly acknowledge Barbara Rittner, who I will always admire and be thankful toward for being one of my most favorite and supportive professors. Her feisty personality, along with the respect she displayed toward me, helped me to recognize attributes in myself that I could never see. She showed that when we can shine the mirror on another individual to draw out their positive attributes and validate those strengths, they too can eventually walk through life with courage, dignity, self-respect and credibility.
Congratulations to the UB School of Social Work for your 90th anniversary — I am proud to be part of this celebration.”
— Nancy Krtek, MSW ’00, Naturopathic Doctor at Nancy R. Krtek, LCSW, Counseling and Consultation PLLC
“My UB School of Social Work education has been incredibly valuable, both in the field and as my career has expanded. The skills I developed in empathy, active listening and conflict resolution have proven essential in managing stakeholder relationships and assessing needs. The background I gained in program development and organizational skills has also allowed me to grow my career into the nonprofit association world, in the member strategy and data analytics space.”
— Petrina M. Piro, MSW ’09, Practice Manager and Clinician, Mobile Counseling of New York
“The School of Social Work had me confident in my readiness to step into the field and start my career. I really enjoyed the wide variety of class topics and the ability to mold yourself based on the areas of the field that most interested you. All my classes left memories and had significant impacts on my success. Specifically, the dual disorders class I took was the most challenging, rewarding and prepared me to thrive in the behavioral health field. I am forever grateful for my time at School of Social Work and am proud to call myself an alumnus.”
— Christian Bell, MSW ’10, Program Director, Horizon Health Services
“I attribute much of my current body of research and personal interests to my time at the UB School of School Work and in the City of Buffalo. From my time spent working in the student-run clinic, to working as a research assistant on projects related to abortion access in the United States prior to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, I learned the importance of centering community and people most affected in research and practice.
I am deeply appreciative of being part of this amazing community and the skills learned at the UB School of Social Work.”
— Greer Hamilton, BA/MSW ’16, Assistant Professor, University of Michigan School of Social Work
“I grew up in a mission household and was raised to care about those around me and help those in need, regardless of race, religion or background. Back then, I didn’t know what social work was, but growing up like this shaped me into the social worker I am today. The MSW program taught me how to be trauma-informed, have self-care and set boundaries. Most of all, I gained a wider understanding of what social work is from micro to macro level and how social policies impact social justice and the family systems.
Since I graduated, I have served as a field educator and maintain an ongoing collaboration with Dr. Wooksoo Kim and Dr. Isok Kim, which is mutually beneficial to the community, school and the Karen Society of Buffalo. As the UB School of Social Work celebrates 90 years, I am always grateful to be part of the alumni community and for the opportunity to give back whenever I can.”
— Faustina Sein Palmatier, MSW ’19, Executive Director, Karen Society of Buffalo
“UB has been a significant source of education and support through most of my life, first as an undergraduate and MSW graduate and now as a DSW student. For the last four years, I have been fortunate to be a field educator and have learned as much from my students as they have learned from our organization. The opportunity to impart knowledge about culturally responsive services for refugee and immigrant communities has been an invaluable experience and helps me feel confident that there are social workers who are prepared to provide these services.
Our Refugee and Immigrant Center for Healing has also had the opportunity to work with the Social Impact Fellows for the last two years, leaving a lasting impression on our agency and helping to improve our quality of care and expand our services. I would also like to thank the UB School of Social Work for welcoming me to be part of the Field Advisory Board and giving me the honor of being last year’s Outstanding Field Educator awardee. I look forward to our continued collaboration."
— Danielle Bernas, DSW ’26, MSW ’19, Director of the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Healing, Jewish Family Services of Western New York