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 worked for the EOP Admissions Office as a student assistant for 8 years, then once I graduated with my BS degree in Technology Education I have worked and only worked in the Buffalo State Admissions Office for the past 32 years.
What motivates you to provide excellent services for your colleagues, students, and supervisor?
I started off working recruiting high school freshmen in the NYC area and Buffalo Public Schools and now I recruit transfer students from our local and nearby two-year institutions. Giving both groups hope and actuations that they can achieve anything they want as along as they try. Our transfer students are a little older so they need to be reassured they are not too old for a four-year institution. Giving them the encouragement that the 17 & 18 years old’s that they will be taking classes with are just as nervous as they are and besides they have wisdom on their side.
What personal philosophy about working with others guides your day-to-day work?
My personal philosophy about working with others is always listen to what is being said. Everyone is different so you need to learn how to communicate with each one individually. I have to be aware of my short coming so I can asked for help when needed. I’ve learned to give back whenever I can.
What do you do when you are not working?
When I can get a week off I like to travel, but mostly I like being around my family. They are the funniest people I know and always bring joy to my heart.
In our office, we know Deborah Jones to be legendary. Her impact has been felt over decades and is not limited to Moot Hall or even this campus. She is wonderful in her role as admissions advisor, but that’s just the start of her story. Everyone who crosses her path will feel her sense of joy and zest for life, and the energy that she puts in to making Buffalo State and the greater Buffalo community more caring and vibrant. When Deb asks, “How are you doing today?” she is asking because she means it. She has a gift of making one feel like the only person in the room and the center of her attention, which puts every student who meets with her at ease. It is an absolute privilege for me to know her, and to have her as part of my team – as it is for the entire Buffalo State community.
Though not displayed on our recruitment materials, if the question were to be asked, “Who is the face and the spirit of the Admissions Office?” the answer would unequivocally be Ms. Deborah Jones. She undoubtedly demonstrates all the considerations worthy of this award and it is my privilege to recognize her for it.
Deborah was a first-generation student who is also Buffalo State EOP alumna. During her time as a professional staff member at Buffalo State, Deb has served the campus community in many capacities including UUP leadership (local & statewide), the Student Conduct Board, Professional Staff Caucus leadership, the Faculty/Staff Welfare Concerns Committee, Orientation, and Commencement. Many of these roles she has held for 20+ years. Deb has also represented Buffalo State at various times in leadership within New York State Transfer and Articulation Association (NYSTAA).
In addition to her volunteer positions, Deb’s primary duty is to recruit students to Buffalo State. When combining her professional role with her volunteer experience, she truly is a witness to and participant in a student’s Buffalo State journey from start to finish.
Outside of the direct Buffalo State community, Deb is an active member in the greater Buffalo community as well through her activity at St. Martin de Porres Church (serving in both Youth and Women’s leadership roles), Reaching Out to Africa (a local non-profit that provides humanitarian assistance, American companionship, friendship, and advocacy for African refugees and their families), and a volunteer at Shea’s Buffalo, Shea’s 710, and Shea’s Smith theatres. She is also a member of #Onebody, a mixed ministry that gathers those of different parishes and faiths together to discuss racial issues and how to make a difference in the community.
Known in our office for her radiant personality and expansive wardrobe, Deb lights up any room that enters with her contagious positive attitude. I, and many others, lean on Deb for her perspective and measured opinions. When anyone in the office faces unfamiliar situations or problems, Deb is usually the first person any of us go to for advice. Always a welcoming and calming presence, Deb can relate to many situations due to her wealth of experience.
Deb has a way of communication that is difficult to replicate. Working in admissions, having difficult conversations with students and families comes as part of the job. When presented with these situations, Deb has a unique ability to make students feel respected, comfortable, and hopeful about their path forward. Even for situations that are not as difficult to navigate, her positivity and excitement for students is apparent and appreciated. In addition to her role in admissions, Deb also serves as an adjunct faculty member to co-instruct UNC301: Transfer Transitions Seminar. The course’s purpose is to ease the transition to Buffalo State for transfer students by exposing students to academic and non-academic resources that Buffalo State provides and to the greater Buffalo community.
There are few on campus that Deb has not collaborated with and/or influenced. When conversing with Deb, I often must stop and ask her how she knows all the people she refers to. She then proceeds to explain the tale about how they arrived in their current position and how she has worked with them in the past. There are new stories and relationships we learn about weekly. Through her collective experiences, her impact is certainly felt by students and her colleagues throughout campus. Because of her work with transfer students and her past work in first-year college admissions, she also collaborates with our community partners at community colleges, teacher prep programs, Middle Early College program, and their associated events.
As part of her 30+ years working in various roles at the college, there is not much that Deb has not seen or experienced in her tenure. Along with her vast wealth of knowledge has come vast change. Deb has seen change in practice through technology, staff and leadership turnover, and the varied personalities and styles of her colleagues. She takes all the changes and hiccups that come with the change in stride while maintaining her signature positive attitude.
In the Admissions office, we preach to prospective students that Buffalo State, above all, values Diversity, Community, and Access. Based on her contributions to the campus community I have listed and more that I have not, there is no better embodiment of these values than Deb.
