How long have you worked at Buffalo State College and if applicable what other areas have you worked/positions have you served in at Buffalo State College?
I have been working at Buffalo State Since 2006 as an EOP counselor. In my current role, I work with approximately 120 students providing them with an variety of services. I coordinate the Annual EOP Honors Convocation, EOP Sophomore Success Program, and the Summer Food Service Program to name a few. Prior to that I worked as a Graduate Assistant in the Office of Admissions coordinating the Ambassador Program and processing data entry work as an office assistant. As a graduate intern I completed an internship in the office of International Student Affairs.
What motivates you to provide excellent services for your colleagues, students, and supervisor?
I enjoy working with individuals of a diverse background. The work I do for my students is very rewarding and inspiriting to see their growth and development over the years. It gives me the energy and motivation to strive for excellence and work with talented individuals from students, staff, faculty and community partners. My director Yanick Jenkins has provided me with the necessary tools and guidance to perform my work exceptionally.
What personal philosophy about working with others guides your day-to-day work?
My personal philosophy when working with others is to work collaboratively to achieve our goals and strive for excellence. Lead with example and motivate each other. Inspire and coach others to be the best in any capacity to strive and pay it forward. Empowering individuals to give back and provide service.
What do you do when you are not working?
I enjoy going to the gym for a workout regularly, I love to run, watch movies, travelling and most of all hanging out and spending time with my family.
" Jude represents Buffalo State with distinction both on campus and out in the community. As an EOP representative and as a Union representative, Jude has traveled throughout the state and the Northeast region to present on SUNY Buffalo State's services and resources. In addition to all the programming he creates and/or administers, he is always setting an example of leadership, collaboration and commitment.
Jude represents Buffalo State with distinction both on campus and out in the community. As an EOP representative and as a Union representative, Jude has traveled throughout the state and the Northeast region to present on SUNY Buffalo State's services and resources. In addition to all the programming he creates and/or administers, he is always setting an example of leadership, collaboration and commitment.
Jude leads students throughout the year in volunteer activities (on and off campus). From the Bengal Day of Caring to volunteering along with students at on and off campus events, Jude always steps up to lend a hand.
Jude always treats students and colleagues with the utmost respect. His students know they can come to him for assistance and guidance at any time. With all the volunteering he does, he always is student-centered as he mentors students in their volunteering activities while also advising the students on ways to apply what they are learning to their personal lives and future goals."
" Jude is always engaged in random acts of kindness, gratitude and leadership. He has a "benefit" mindset. I first met Jude when he was a graduate student in the SPA program many years ago and over the years we worked closely on a variety of projects including volunteering. Since that time, I have watched him grow as a counselor, mentor, teacher, leader and colleague. I have watched him develop his potential, by contributing to the well-being of others, our campus and surrounding community.
He always advocates for Buffalo State students and his peers through his active involvement in UUP activities and encourages everyone to get involved in some way—no matter how big or small. He is everywhere and it is not unusual to see him out volunteering around campus or coordinating events like our Bengal Dare to Care Day, Beyond the Bachelor’s Conference, the Professional Caucus, UUP workshops, welcoming and signing up new employees for the Union, working at the faculty & Staff Welcome Back Barbeque, writing grant proposals, taking students to Albany to advocate for EOP and most recently advocating for EOP funding at the Senate Hearing for Higher Education.
Jude’s caring attitude and desire to help students excel and succeed is evident in his interactions with students both inside and outside the classroom. He understands the impact that strong advising, coaching and teaching skills have on students and fully utilizes his time to help them reach their full potential. Students always speak very highly of his relatability, reliability, advising and teaching style. Jude is a compassionate and encouraging mentor/advisor, yet challenges students to explore and confront the realities and difficulties in their undergraduate curriculum and personal behaviors that may hinder them. During difficult conversations Jude always begins with positive feedback before addressing some of the tough parts of the discussion.
Jude is a professional who cares deeply about his Buffalo State family and fully embraces the beautiful diversity that makes up our ever changing campus community. He remains flexible and adapts to what students need no matter where they come from or look like. Students trust him because he allows them to share their inner most feelings and sometimes even trauma--all without judgment. He honors and respects differences in perspectives, emotions and responses to situations that occur in and outside the classroom. Jude has a unique way of relating to people from all walks of life. He has the uncanny ability to connect his personal life and observations about the world to the work he does with students. His innate feelings of social connectedness and sense of social responsibility drives his desire to give back not only to his community, but society. Students have reaped many benefits from working with Jude. He has supported the mission of the college through his invaluable contributions to equity and diversity in higher education with an emphasis on the academic achievement of underserved students through intensive coaching and advising."
"Jude Jayatilleke has continuously participated in community service based events like Bengal Day To Care and EOP Advocacy day where he traveled to Albany to voice his concerns on the gap between tuition cost and the financial aid received from TAP.
Jude Jayatilleke is an important role model for many EOP student who seek guidance and assistant navigating through college life. Jude Jayatilleke makes sure to always have times of availability for students to come stop by his office and makes sure to always seek for students who will be interested in going to different on or off campus events.
Jude Jayatilleke always encourages students that he meets with to participate in many important roles on campus or events he is attending as a way to build connections within the student body and collaborate with as many students as possible in order to create a bigger impact. Jude Jayatilleke has personally referred me to useful resources that I can use to further my pursuit to success and has been generous enough to take me under his wing, while writing letters of recommendation for my scholarship applications.
Jude Jayatilleke is extremely generous whenever he conducts meetings and brings in snacks for the participants, creating a more comfortable space for everyone. Jude Jayatilleke has gone out of way to always make sure I am doing good in school and inspires to me to keep applying to scholarships."
" Mr. Jude, has truly helped many students with advice and guiding them in the correct direction for any problem they encounter. He is very involved in the community and always tries to get students to participant as well. For example, in the beginning of this semester he was part of "Bengals Day of Care" and took many of his EOP students to participant in his group. Another example, is when a group of students from Rochester came on a Saturday night and Mr. Jude and I gave them a tour of the school. He really cares for this campus and wants students to succeed.
Mr. Jude is known as a person who tends to motivate students. He is joyful when his students reach their goals. When I first met Mr. Jude, he welcomed all his students with a great big smile.
He is very welcoming when new students come to visit and attend Buffalo State. As faculty member, he offers many resources to anyone who enters his office. If a student is having a difficult time, in school and or personal problems, he will provide them with the best resource. He is flexible when it comes to change and being there for all students."
