UB names Brian F. Hamluk new vice president for student life

Brian F. Hamluk, a leader in higher education student services and associate dean of students and director of administration at the University of Pittsburgh, has been appointed vice president for student life at the University at Buffalo.

President Satish K. Tripathi made the announcement Monday, citing Hamluk’s leadership and vision as an administrator, instructor and adviser at institutions that include Syracuse University and The George Washington University, in addition to his experience over the past five years at the University of Pittsburgh.

Tripathi said Hamluk emerged as the top choice following an extensive and competitive national search. The appointment will be effective June 1.

He succeeds A. Scott Weber, who was named provost and executive vice president for academic affairs in January 2020. Since that time, Christina Hernandez has been serving in the position on an interim basis and will resume her role as senior associate vice president, student life administration and planning.

“An innovative leader in higher education, Brian is deeply committed to student success, and he keenly appreciates that keeping our students at the heart of everything we do is fundamental to UB’s mission of excellence,” Tripathi said. “Based on his demonstrated record of success, I am confident that he will provide the exemplary leadership necessary to oversee the many UB programs that enhance the university experience for our students, ensuring that they have all of the support and transformative opportunities they need to thrive at UB and engage as globally minded citizens.”

As vice president for student life, Hamluk will lead the departments, units, programs and services committed to enhancing and advancing the university experience for UB’s nearly 30,000 students by providing the resources and support needed for academic success, personal growth, career development, leadership, community engagement, and health and wellness.

“It is an extreme honor to be selected to serve as the next vice president for student life at the University at Buffalo,” Hamluk said. “UB is an outstanding academic institution with a diverse and talented student body. I look forward to joining the community and helping to advance the student experience and university mission.”

Search committee chair Mark Alnutt, director of athletics, said, “Among a national field of highly accomplished and diverse candidates, Brian stood out as a leader with the vision and experience to elevate UB’s division of student life as a national model of excellence.”

Since 2016, in his previous position at the University of Pittsburgh, Hamluk served 29,000 undergraduate and graduate students, a population nearly identical in size to that at UB. He was a key member of the university’s student affairs leadership team and assumed a prominent role in the development of the division’s strategic goals and initiatives.

Hamluk designed and implemented innovative initiatives that increased student retention, while helping lead the creation and delivery of Pittsburgh’s Division of Student Affairs Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Action Plan that focuses on community, sense of belonging, policies, practices, programs, and training and development.

He was also responsible for the business operations of the division and provided budget management, human resources, facilities and administrative support through the oversight or supervision of departments and service areas that included Pittsburgh’s University Counseling Center, Student Health Services, Residence Life, Cross Cultural and Leadership Development, Campus Recreation, Career Services, New Student Programs, and Parent and Family Services.

Working with Pittsburgh’s Division of Student Affairs, Hamluk helped coordinate the university’s efforts in planning for its forthcoming Campus Recreation and Wellness Center that will integrate student wellness initiatives including Student Health Services, University Counseling Center and Campus Recreation.

Before joining the University of Pittsburgh, Hamluk served for 15 years in administrative roles at The George Washington University, including senior adviser to the senior vice president and senior provost of student and academic support services, which provided resources to 25,000 students.

From 2010-15, Hamluk was GW’s associate athletic director for administration, acting as chief operating officer for the department of intercollegiate athletics, an NCAA Division I program consisting of the departments and service areas of education supports services, student-athlete development, and fundraising and development.

Hamluk also provided campus leadership at Syracuse University through the chancellor’s task force on diversity and the division of student affairs quality council committee.

Hamluk received a Doctor of Education in higher education administration from the George Washington University (2014), where he also earned an MTA in sport management (2016) and an MA in education and human development (2003). He also received an MS in cultural foundations of education from Syracuse University (2000) and a MPPM in public policy and management from the University of Pittsburgh (2018). Hamluk received his BS in physical and health education from St. Bonaventure University.

Hamluk is a member of NASPA-Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, and the American College Personnel Association (ACPA).