St. Bonaventure University’s School of Graduate Studies will host a panel discussion in Hamburg on the benefits of its educational leadership programs as seen through the eyes of its graduates.

Free and open to the public, the program will be held from 10 a.m. until noon Saturday, Oct. 24, in room 101 of Bogel Hall at Hilbert College, site of St. Bonaventure’s Buffalo Center for graduate studies. 

Eleven alumni of the university’s graduate-level programs in educational leadership will take part in the program.

Panel members will discuss their internship experiences, the creation of an electronic portfolio, and how the program helped prepare them for their leadership roles, said Dr. Darlene McDonough, director of the educational leadership, school district leader, and school building leader programs at St. Bonaventure. 

“These leaders will discuss how our educational leadership program has set each of them apart from other candidates in their development of leadership skills, knowledge, strategies, and internship experiences,” McDonough said. 

Scheduled to participate in the program are: 

• Sherry Bennett, assistant elementary principal, Attica Central;
• Mary Damico, principal, Queen of Heaven Catholic School;
• Andrew Douin, assistant principal, Lorraine Elementary, Buffalo;
• Rebecca Farwell, assistant principal, Bemus Point Central;
• Victoria Gillison, dean of students, Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School;
• Josh Gilveski, principal, Cassadaga Valley Central;
• Jennifer Kless, middle school TOSA in curriculum, Olean City Schools;
• Margaret Loomis, preschool principal, Baker Victory Services;
• Cristy Thomas McKinley, director of curriculum and instruction, Scio Central;
• Gina Palermo, coordinator of curriculum and instruction, Hamburg Central;
• Sterling Stearns, assistant elementary principal, Fredonia Central.