Learning Services
The Learning Development Center was established, as part of Athlete Academic Affairs at the University at Buffalo, SUNY, to assist student-athletes with reaching their fullest academic and personal potential. The Learning Development Center strives to promote academic achievement by providing the necessary support services to UB student-athletes, while upholding the academic integrity of the institution. The mission of the center is to help student-athletes pursue an undergraduate degree while participating in intercollegiate athletics, and instilling skills that foster the acquisition and mastery of independent learning.
Learning Specialists
The role of the Learning Specialist is to evaluate incoming and current student-athletes who exhibit factors that may be potential barriers to the student-athletes eligibility, retention, and/or graduation. The Learning Specialist will then create an individualized academic plan for students assessed to be at-risk.
The mission of the Learning Specialist is to assist student-athletes with academic intervention strategies and support in order to build academic confidence, motivation, and build independent learning strategies. They are committed to implementing effective learning strategies based on their individual learning preferences and accommodations to help them reach their maximum potential both in and out of the classroom.
Learning specialists coordinate learning related services with external providers in accordance with the student-athlete’s needs. Learning specialists work in collaboration with the Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR), UB’s Sports Medicine Staff, our Learning Development Graduate Assistant and a licensed psychoeducational professional. These relationships foster educational testing coordination, diagnosis of possible learning disabilities, registration for accommodations, and identification of student’s academic support needs.
Learning Development Graduate Assistant (GA)
The GA specializes in assessment of attention or learning related issues for student-athletes who are flagged on the Learning Development Centers initial screening for incoming (freshman and transfer) student-athletes or who are referred by an Athlete Academic Advisor. The GA also assists student-athletes in collecting previous documentation, obtaining release forms and setting up meetings at the Office of Accessibility Resources.
Contact Our Learning Specialists
Melanie Bliz - mwarren2@buffalo.edu
Sarah Schneyer - sschneye@buffalo.edu
Alumni Arena Rm 161
