‘I can’t say how much Buffalo State has done for me’: Q&A with Ryan Gadzo, ’13, ’15

After earning his undergraduate degree in political science at Buffalo State, Ryan Gadzo, ’13, ’15, became a graduate of Buffalo State’s master of public administration and nonprofit management program. As a Buffalo State student, Gadzo completed an internship with the Erie County Department for the Aging—where he has now worked for a decade as the project administrator for transportation services—and graduate assistantships with the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance and the New York State Assembly, experiences he said became the springboard for his journey.

“The opportunities afforded to me by Buffalo State helped prepare me for my career and exposed me to a life of public service on the local level,” said Gadzo, who has held his current position for a decade. “They allowed me to stay in the city I love, help my neighbors and family, and bring millions of grant dollars into the area to help serve low income and underserved populations. Without those experiences inside and outside the classroom, I don't know what I’d be doing today. I can’t say how much Buffalo State has done for me.”

Gadzo gave a few minutes of his time to share how Buffalo State’s applied learning opportunities and faculty mentorship positively impacted his education.

Buffalo State University: What drew you to Buffalo State’s MPA program? 
Ryan Gadzo: I was already familiar with Buffalo State, as I got my undergraduate degree in political science there. At that time, the MPA was in its infancy, but it made sense to go from one program to another at the same school. I was also doing an undergraduate internship with the Erie County Department for the Aging and, through that, was able to get a couple of free courses, which kept school affordable while staying in an area I knew and was comfortable with.

BSU: What is special about Buffalo State’s MPA program?
RG: The experience to be gained at the local and state level is unprecedented. The program offers small class sizes where you can build a rapport with your professors who take an interest in you and your future.

BSU: How did that support from faculty impact your education?
RG: The faculty members don’t just know you just because you’re part of the major; they know you because they see you all the time. They can have a conversation about not only what's going on in the classroom and in the real world, but also what's going on with you. They are not only instructing you in the classroom, but are also a listening ear, a shoulder for support, and a springboard for ideas for your education and future career. To this day, Dr. Buonanno is one of my mentors; we talk constantly.

BSU: How have you stayed connected with Buffalo State?
RG: I’ve had opportunities to interface with the students here at Buffalo State in different ways, giving them real world data to solve real world problems and apply what they’ve learned in the classroom. I’ve come back to do some adjunct teaching and seminars. I try to give back to Buffalo State as much as I can in the students, because, as government and government non-profits are some of largest employers in this area, having a strong MPA program will help bolster that in the future and make sure that real change comes to Western New York.

Photo by Jesse Steffan-Colucci, Buffalo State photographer.