Testimonials

Xiamara Brooks

People are kinder than you’d think. I don’t think I would have believed that 5 years ago.

When I entered Buffalo State University, I was pursuing Biology. Philosophy entered my life almost accidentally through Ethics for Scientists during my first semester. I expected another requirement to complete. Instead, I found myself asking questions that stayed with me long after class ended, and by the end of the school year I had changed course and added Philosophy as a second major.

The more philosophy I studied, the more I realized that it is built upon something remarkably vulnerable. Every philosopher begins by admitting that they do not yet have the answer. They offer an argument, invite criticism, revise it, and trust that someone else will continue the conversation. What surprised me was that this wasn't confined to the literature. It was the culture of the department itself and perhaps, what I was seeing was the culture mirrored in the texts. In every class, I found professors and classmates who treated disagreement as collaboration rather than competition and who made it feel safe to risk being wrong. Every week, I watched people present ideas they weren't entirely confident in, only to have those ideas met not with ridicule, but with curiosity. Here, I learned that admitting "I don't know" wasn't the end of a conversation; it was often the beginning of the most meaningful ones and over time, I stopped expecting judgment and started expecting conversation.

Philosophy, as taught through this department, is thousands of years of people being willing to share their deepest uncertainties, hoping to find clarity for themselves and leave a little more of it for those who follow. What followed for me was a quiet shift in perspective that changed the way I thought about others.
When I struggled with questions that felt deeply personal, I discovered that someone else had often struggled with them before. Whether it was Aristotle on virtue, Scanlon writing about moral responsibility, or countless others asking what it means to live well, I found comfort in knowing that these questions were never mine alone. Philosophy made me feel connected not only to my classmates and professors, but also to a much larger conversation stretching across generations.

During an interview for graduate school, I was asked a question I had never considered before: "Do you think philosophy has made you a better friend?" The speed and confidence of my response surprised even me, "Yes." It has made me more patient, more introspective, and genuinely more interested in the inner lives of other people. It has taught me to listen before assuming, to ask questions before judging, and to treat every discussion as an opportunity to understand rather than something to win. Those habits have made me a better friend, a better member of my community, and, I hope, a better person.

Those changes weren't only visible to me. They became noticeable to the people closest to me as well. A month ago, my sister asked, "Why does it seem like you never get upset?" I noticed she wasn't saying I had become indifferent. I'd responded, “I still become frustrated, but I rarely become angry on instinct.” Seneca's reminder that the greatest remedy for anger is delay and Epicurus' search for tranquility have become habits of mind, giving me the patience to ask whether a moment truly deserves my anger before giving it voice. Reading Myisha Cherry complicated that lesson in an important way. She reminded me that anger need not be abandoned altogether; that, when disciplined and directed toward genuine injustice, it can itself become a moral virtue. Philosophy didn't make me calmer so much as it taught me to ask more of my emotions.

Looking back, the greatest thing the department gave me was not simply knowledge of philosophical texts or arguments. It gave me confidence that my thoughts were worth sharing, the courage to be vulnerable in conversations with others, and the reassuring realization that people are often much more compassionate and understanding than we imagine.

As I leave Buffalo State and my years with the philosophy department behind, I’ll carry this lesson with me: people are kinder than you’d think, and because of that, I think the world will be too.

Mike Cardus

I graduated from Buffalo State with a BA in Philosophy in 2010. 

I did not leave philosophy when I graduated.

I still carry questions from those classrooms. I may not remember the exact words, although I remember what they made possible.

• “Those examples are great when you don’t want people to think. What do we do when our purpose is to support, or force, people to think and not default to auto-mode?”
• “If ‘you can’t yell fire in a crowded theater’ is such a great example for the limits of free speech, surely we can think of another example?”
• “Can you state that your actions are moral or ethical if they have never been tried or challenged? Kant says you cannot.”

These questions continue to shape my work in organization development and organization design.

This made me think: when the model feels obvious, are we thinking, or are we defaulting to auto-mode?

If the same example keeps doing all the work, surely we can think of another example.

And can we call our actions ethical, courageous, or collaborative when they have never been tried or challenged?

Philosophy taught me that thinking is not finding the right answer and holding onto it. Thinking happens with other people, through disagreement, dialogue, challenge, and the continued effort to understand how we should live and work together.

I graduated in 2010, and I am still learning how to think.

Tom Carr

"The Government, Planning, and Philosophy Department had a profound impact on my education and life. The department is filled with special faculty and students, and it’s where I learned skills that have become indispensable in my career as an attorney. 

My philosophy classes taught me how to think, how to write, and how to present an argument clearly and effectively. But more than anything, the department taught me how to thoughtfully engage with the world. I have no doubt that I would not be where I am today had I not been a philosophy student at Buffalo State."

Thomas DelValle

"After graduating from Buffalo State in 2025, I am grateful to be able to say that I have both enrolled in and completed my first year of law school. Currently at my law school, I serve as a student-elected senator for my institution’s student bar association. In addition, I am spending my summer working as a law clerk at a large local firm, as well as serving as a judicial intern for a Justice of the Erie County Supreme Court. During my time at BSU, I was enrolled in the Individualized Studies program, where my major was a custom Pre-Law track that was flexible enough to allow me to work full-time, in-person, for a law firm while pursuing my degree during my junior and senior years at BSU.

A few years ago, I never would have believed I would be where I am today. 

As a first-generation law student halfway through my undergraduate studies, I had no idea how to navigate the legal professional field, or even what the law school application process entailed. That was, until I was guided through the process by my professors at BSU. I am immensely grateful to both BSU and my professors, who were incredibly dedicated to assisting me, and gave me the guidance I needed to achieve many of my goals so far; Especially Dr. Shauku, Dr. Yacobucci, and Prof. Altreuter, Esq., who were always available and happy to help me in my academic and professional endeavors.

Instead of simply echoing the textbook and keeping education limited to the curriculum, the professors within BSU’s Government, Planning, and Philosophy Department are truly committed to student success, as they happily and regularly went out of their way to teach and help me develop many useful skills, especially critical analysis of and policy evaluation. In fact, I still use these skills academically and professionally on a daily basis. My education at BSU also extended further than just the course load. While serving as a captain of both BSU’s Mock Trial and Moot Court teams, I obtained an immense amount real-world knowledge and skills from my extracurriculars. Even during my current endeavors, I am still building upon the foundation I formed at BSU and would happily recommend Buffalo State University to any prospective student looking to further their education."

Julia Hamilton

"The Government, Planning, and Philosophy Department is a true safe space where students can explore new ideas, wrestle with difficult questions, and grow in unexpected ways. The academic rigor of the program prepared me for my career and made me a better person overall.

I can trace my success in communication, research, and presentation directly back to the training and guidance I received there. But what made the department special wasn't just the coursework; it was the community. We used to hang out in 'The Department' because it was genuinely a cool place to be. Professors were happy to see you, engage with you outside the classroom, and invest in your goals.

That kind of environment doesn't just help students reach their potential; it makes them want to. 

Some of the best experiences I had at Buffalo State relate to philosophy, and I can't thank you enough for helping me develop confidence and a commitment to always staying true to myself and following my path."

Josephine "Josie" Mason

"As someone who participated heavily in both athletics (cross country and track and field) and academics, it was evident to me how much weight the administration places on student success. I thrived both on the athletic field and in the classroom, thanks to a combination of my personal effort and guidance from school officials. In Summer 2025, I had the opportunity to work alongside Professor Shauku of the Government Planning and Philosophy Department to co-author a paper on the federal courts. The existence of this undergrad program and Professor Shauku’s faith in me sparked my passion to pursue a career in law. Moreover, I’ve had several incredible opportunities both on and off campus, funded by the school, that have improved my professional skills and opened up new doors for me. 

Attending Buffalo State University ultimately provided me with the incredible opportunity to have my intellectual work published as an undergrad student. I feel so fortunate to have worked alongside some of the brightest minds in the institution, and the payout on my personal career has been invaluable."

Madison Sierra

"What drew me to Buffalo State was the close-knit community that is cultivated here, unlike any other school I have experienced, especially within the Government, Planning, and Philosophy Department. 

I remember visiting campus for the first time and immediately feeling welcomed, supported, and at home. From day one, I knew this was a place that fostered growth and encouraged students to pursue their goals. 

Throughout my time at Buffalo State, I was fortunate to have professors and staff who genuinely cared about their students, their dreams, and their success both inside and outside the classroom. While the coursework was rigorous, I always felt confident knowing I had dedicated mentors guiding and supporting me every step of the way. Some of my favorite memories come from traveling with the Moot Court team, spending time with peers who were just as passionate about learning the law as I was, and building friendships that made every road trip unforgettable. I also cherished the relationships I built with my professors, the kind where you could stop by office hours, seek advice, or simply chat like old friends. 

When it came time to apply to law school, my professors were incredibly hands-on throughout the entire process, helping me refine my personal statements, answer countless questions, and navigate every step of the journey. With the support of my mentors at Buffalo State, I achieved things that once felt impossible, including working for a Buffalo Common Council member, participating in the highly competitive Discover Law program with Cornell, and interning in the office of Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer. None of these opportunities would have been possible without the unwavering support, encouragement, and guidance of the faculty and staff. 

The sense of community at Buffalo State is truly unmatched, and it is something I will always hold close to my heart. I will forever be grateful for everything the professors and staff have done and continue to do to help students like me realize our potential and achieve goals we once thought were beyond our reach."