University at Buffalo School of Management

4 Buffalo Business Autumn 2026 Bagnoli receives Chancellor's Award Erika Bagnoli, unit business officer in the School of Management, was honored with a SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Professional Service, the highest staff honor in the SUNY system. Bagnoli serves as a strategic business partner within the school, providing leadership over budget and financial management, human resources, administrative operations, compliance and stewardship. She joined UB in 2016, initially serving as director of resource management in Advancement before becoming unit business officer in the Graduate School of Education, a role she held until 2023 when she transitioned to the School of Management. "Erika has excelled at recognizing areas for organizational improvement and instituting change that contributes to greater fiscal and opera- tional strength and strategic growth," says Ananth Iyer, dean. "She is a role model of excellence in professional service and a tremendous asset to the university." Startups Cleary, Krzan, Zeftel recognized for excellence in teaching Three School of Management faculty members were recognized this spring for their outstanding teaching. Kevin Cleary, clinical associate professor of management science and systems, was awarded the School of Management's inaugural Frank J. Krzystofiak Excellence in Teaching Award, established by alumni, faculty and friends of Krzystofiak, who retired in 2021. Recipients are selected by a committee of faculty peers. Celine Krzan, clinical assistant professor of entrepreneurship, was honored by the UB Student Association with the Milton Plesur Excellence in Teaching Award. The award is based on nominations by undergraduate students and recognizes Krzan for making a meaningful impact on student learning. Nicole Zeel, clinical assistant professor of organization and human resources, received the School of Management's Arjang A. Assad Excellence in Teaching Award. Established with a personal endowment from Assad, former dean of the School of Management, honorees are chosen by a committee of fellow faculty. "Kevin, Celine and Nicole represent the best of what teaching in the School of Management looks like — faculty who show up for students, challenge them to grow and leave a lasting mark on how they think and lead," says Ananth Iyer, dean of the School of Management. "Their recognition is well-deserved, and the students who learn from them are better prepared to make a difference in the world because of them." Pillars of service The Office of the Dean announced the second annual winners of the Dean's Pillar Awards in May to recognize faculty and staff who go above and beyond in their service, advancing the school's strategic pillars of transformative education, thought leadership, engaging with impact and competing as a business school. This year's recipients were (far le) Jennifer Flagg, Kyle Hunt, Dominic Sellitto and (near le) Jaime Tabone and Jeanne Myers.

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