SUNY Chancellor King Highlights Pathways to Careers in Bilingual and Multilingual Education at Buffalo State University
September 30, 2026
During Visit to Buffalo State University, Chancellor King Highlighted Western New York's Bilingual and Multilingual Education Infrastructure
Buffalo, NY — State University of New York Board Chancellor John B. King Jr. today highlighted SUNY's bilingual and multilingual education opportunities during a visit to Buffalo State University. The campus serves as a higher education anchor in the Western New York region for pathways to careers in bilingual and multilingual education, connecting P-12 schools, community partners, state investment, and bilingual educator preparation programs to create strong pathways to rewarding jobs.
"SUNY is committed to empowering our students and ensuring they are supported throughout their academic journeys," said SUNY Chancellor King. "I applaud Buffalo State University for being a leader in providing our students opportunities to explore careers in bilingual and multilingual education, and for working to strengthen connections within the local community. SUNY remains committed to supporting all of our students as they work to launch promising careers in the fields of their dreams."
SUNY Trustee Eunice A. Lewin said, "SUNY campuses like Buffalo State University are investing in programs that promote academic excellence and empower our students on paths to successful careers. As SUNY continues to move boldly into the future, bilingual and multilingual educational opportunities are increasingly important in a globalized economy. We thank Governor Hochul and state leaders for their steadfast support and investment in SUNY's educational programs, and our students."
Western New York has significant bilingual and multilingual talent across its communities, schools, colleges, and workforce. At Buffalo State University, the campus has engaged in several initiatives to create pathways to bilingual and multilingual education careers for students at all stages of their academic careers, including the New York State Association for Bilingual Education (NYSABE) Bilingual Educator Pipeline Initiative, which provides financial support to multilingual undergraduate students pursuing careers in teaching and related educational fields at Buffalo State University, and the Clinically Rich Intensive Teacher Institute in Bilingual Education (CR-ITI-BE), an initiative that supports both pre-service and in-service teachers in becoming certified to provide bilingual special education services.
Buffalo State University President Jennifer L. Burris said, "This effort is a perfect example of Buffalo State University being deeply engaged with the City of Buffalo and this region. There is a need for bilingual and multilingual educators, and we are positioned to deliver for the community. We are not simply in Buffalo. We are of Buffalo."
Buffalo State University Associate Professor in Exceptional Education Department Gliset C. Morales said, "Building a strong bilingual educator workforce requires multiple pathways and multiple entry points. At Buffalo State, we are connecting opportunities for high school students, undergraduates, aspiring educators and practicing professionals with schools, community organizations, SUNY and state partners. The goal is to create a sustainable ecosystem where multilingual talent across Western New York can access the pathway that meets them where they are and move successfully toward a career in bilingual education."
In addition to the bilingual and multilingual education opportunities available through the campus, Buffalo State University engages with multiple community organizations and school districts to strengthen multilingual and bilingual education, including:
- The Hispanic Heritage Council and Hispanic Heritage Cultural Institute to create pathways for high school students and adult learners.
- The Belle Center to connect children, youth, families, and bilingual and multilingual talent in the Buffalo community.
- Buffalo Public Schools Multilingual Education Department to connect preparation pathways to K-12 workforce needs and Grow Your Own opportunities.
During his visit to Buffalo State University, Chancellor King also participated in a roundtable discussion with SUNY Board of Trustee member Eunice Lewin, Buffalo State University leadership, state officials, community members, and students to recognize Hispanic Heritage Month and highlight opportunities available at the campus for multilingual and bilingual education.
State Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages, Chair, New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus, said, "A quality, culturally responsive education is a right every child deserves. The Caucus has long advocated for targeted investments in bilingual and multilingual initiatives, such as increased funding to expand resources for English Language Learners and bilingual educator certifications. Buffalo State University's commitment to creating pathways to bilingual and multilingual education careers puts those shared priorities into action, proving how investing in these initiatives ensures inclusive education for all."
State Assemblymember Catalina Cruz said, "I’m proud to have secured $250K in the state budget, along with Assembly Member Jon Rivera, for the bilingual educator pipeline program at Buffalo State University, and for SUNY’s commitment to increasing bilingual and multilingual education in K-12 schools. We are committed to expanding these investments across the state, and to ensure more communities have access to bilingual educators. New York must remain committed to providing every child the same opportunity. Bilingual students are not receiving the support they are entitled to simply because we do not have enough bilingual teachers. We have seen our multilingual student population grow significantly, yet our schools have struggled for years to recruit and retain enough educators who can communicate with students and their families in their native languages. Together with SUNY, we are dedicated to ensuring our schools have the educators they need to meet the reality of the students they serve. A special thanks to SUNY, Chancellor John King, Buffalo State, and Assemblymember Jon Rivera for helping advance this vision."
State Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera said, "Every student deserves to see themselves reflected in their classroom and to have access to educators who understand their language, culture, and lived experiences. During this year’s state budget negotiations, I fought successfully to secure $250,000 to establish a bilingual educator pipeline program at Buffalo State University, which will recruit, prepare, and retain future bilingual educators by expanding access to teacher certification programs for multilingual students. By building a stronger pipeline of bilingual educators, Buffalo State is strengthening educational opportunities for thousands of students across Western New York while creating meaningful career pathways for the next generation of educators."
About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state's only college of optometry, 12 Educational Opportunity Centers, over 30 ATTAIN digital literacy labs, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.7 million students across its portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2025, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and annually one in three New Yorkers who earn a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.
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