Mikala Highsmith has earned a bachelor of science in career and technical education, attaining a 4.0 GPA while operating her own bakery business and working full time.

Highsmith is a conscientious, hardworking, and dedicated student and a humble ambassador for the university. Always positive and upbeat, she seamlessly applied course content to her own teaching practice. Her instructors noted that she did not study for the sake of a grade; instead, she studied because it would make her a more effective teacher.

Highsmith transferred to Buffalo State after receiving her associate’s degree from SUNY Alfred State.

Orlando Hill has earned a master of science in education in career and technical education, attaining a 3.92 GPA while working as a tenured teacher in the Buffalo Public Schools’ newly formed Buffalo School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management (School 355). He earned his undergraduate degree in hospitality administration from Buffalo State in 2015.

As a teacher, Hill has the passion and ability to facilitate student success. He expertly combines a creative and enthusiastic attitude with a calm and patient demeanor. He is an excellent communicator who seeks out new challenges and alternative methods of teaching to bring out the best in his students. His hands-on lessons contribute to his students’ sense of belonging and academic achievement.