How long have your worked at Buffalo State College and if applicable what other areas have you worked/positions have you served in at Buffalo State College?
I’ve worked at Buffalo State since 2001, appointed in what was then called the Elementary Education and Reading Department as an Assistant Professor. I’ve also worked as the Associate Director and then Director of the Center for Excellence in Urban and Rural Education. I then moved into the Associate Dean position in 2010 until present.
What motivates you to provide excellent services for your colleagues, students, and supervisor?
I absolutely love working in higher education, (have always loved education…was a kindergarten teacher many years ago)and feel committed to providing our students with the type of support, compassion and empathy that I would want for my own children. Whether it’s my supervisor, colleagues, or students, I truly believe in the idea of treating people the way you would want to be treated.
What personal philosophy about working with others guides your day-to-day work?
I believe that it is critical to have integrity, listen carefully, and be honest without being hurtful. In every aspect of my work, I’m considering our students who have chosen us. So, we owe it to them, to give them the very best.
What do you do when you are not working?
I’m pretty easy going. As a result of the pandemic it has caused me to appreciate the simple things in life. So, on a weekend when I have nothing to do, I’m ecstatic to just binge watch my favorite shows.
Dr. Kathy Wood serves as the Associate Dean for the School of Education. In that capacity, she is the "go to" person for all student issues including academic petitions and dismissals, but that is part of her job. Beyond that, however, Dr. Wood applies the compassionate "spirit" of the early childhood teacher she once was to every activity she is involved in at Buffalo State and in the WNY community. In the past 5 years, Kathy developed our Urban Teacher Academy relationship with McKinley High School and the Buffalo Urban Teacher Pipeline Residency Program. These two programs focused on "grow your own" and career advancement for teacher aides and assistants has achieved remarkable gains in diversifying the teacher pipeline. She is now also responsible for the 21st Century Grant, an afterschool service activity for urban schools and recently helped us secure the My Brother's Keeper Teacher Opportunity Corps II grant, a highly competitive grant to promote the diversification of the teacher workforce. Her work in the community is the embodiment of selflessness. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Buffalo Urban Charter School and participates in all activities connected with the UTA and Buffalo teachers. To do so requires her special talent for calm, rational thinking and an overarching dedication to the support of children, young adults and families from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds.
Again, in her role as Associate Dean, Kathy Wood is a ubiquitous presence at Open House, Convocation and Graduation as well as all other student-facing activities. She participates on all committees associated with student-focused work including Directing the Recruitment and Retention Committee of the Teacher Education Council. As an ambassador of the college, Kathy has few rivals. I have had the pleasure of watching her interact with Buffalo Public School officials and government agencies as she advocated for funding to support the teacher diversity activities she developed. She helped to secure $500,000 of legislative funds through the auspices of Assemblywoman Crystal Peoples-Stokes to support the Buffalo Urban Teacher Pipeline Residency Program. We are awaiting the second $500,000 award this year. She has been sought by colleges across New York State and even in neighboring states who have been referred to her for information on teacher pipeline activities that work. She serves on the SUNY Deans and Directors of Educator Preparation group, taking an active role in the activities and political necessities of that group. When the office for pipeline programs was disbanded last year, Dr. Wood accepted the added responsibilities of managing the 21st Century afterschool programming grant, the remaining activities of the Center for Excellence in Urban and Rural Education and the new TOC II grant. These activities require her ability to represent the college in multiple venues in the community and with government agencies.
I refer to Dr. Wood as "the heart" of the School of Education. She is rarely seen in any mood other than cheerful and welcoming both to students and to faculty. In our monthly meetings of the Dean's Suite, Kathy is the life of the group, always offering some fun and laughter to bring perspective to even the most stressful jobs. Her dedication to diversity and inclusion is described above, but I will add here that a dedication to advancing diversity and inclusion is a daily passionate pursuit of Dr. Wood's. Her many activities in the community both at Buffalo State and in Western New York are exhausting, yet she finds time for all of them, sometimes working 12 hour days to accomplish all that must be done. She has an overarching faith in the goodness of humanity and the ultimate triumph of what is just over what is destructive or unfair. That pervades her work and inspires us all.
Dr. Woods activities have been 100% collaborative. She is a much-sought member of a team including search committee work and subcommittee work related to her position as Associate Dean, but not required by it. As the officer who manages student dismissals and complaints, Dr. Wood always meets with students to counsel them and to find resolutions for the problems of life and work that may inhibit their progress. Kathy is happy to include the faculty in her work, and was able to step in as Interim Chair of Elementary Education when Dr. Nancy Chicola retired and prior to Dr. Julie Henry's term as Chair. She is both a leader and a team player, a rare combination. She has excellent listening skills, but is not afraid to assert important points in a discussion. The Zoom world of meetings has taken a toll on all of us, but Kathy continues to meet with community members and BSC officers for the business requires even if that means a full 8 hours of Zoom meetings.
As described in the other criteria of this award, Dr. Wood is the embodiment of caring. She is a gentle advocate for students, a collaborative member of any faculty team, and comfortable in asserting sometimes difficult realities of her position as a woman of color. Kathy rarely turns down an opportunity to add to the positive work of the School of Education and Buffalo State. Sometimes students of color seek her out as a role model and advocate, trusting her to be both compassionate and rigorous in helping them achieve their goals and navigate unfamiliar waters. She has had to be the chief trouble-shooter with the Urban Teacher Academy, often going to McKinley High School to observe and assist the teacher there. She has also helped manage difficult situations that arise with the Buffalo Urban Teacher Residency program where working adults experience the stress of studying for their teaching degrees while managing families and earning their living. I would want Kathy on any team that represents students' best interests.
Dr. Wood readily adapted to the added responsibilities of the pipeline activities she herself engendered. She also accepted some new roles when the pipeline office closed. There is no one in the School of Education who could do the job of Associate Dean and Director of Pipeline Programs to the extent that Kathy has. She is truly extraordinary on this criterion.
