Spotlight October 2025

IIB would not be able to make WNY a better place for, and because of, immigrants and refugees were it not for our team, the community, and those we serve.

Michele Gardner 
Buffalo Toronto Public Media

A thousand thanks to Michele Gardner of Buffalo Toronto Public Media (BTPM). Michele was our liaison for the recently concluded (and wildly successful) The Refugees of Comedy 2025. She handled all of the details, coordinated logistics, and wrangled unexpected last-minute issues with aplomb. The event would not have 

been as great as it was without her help and the help of all the others at BTPM!

Click here to if you are interested in volunteering or interning with us.

Dr. Jeffrey Glodzik
 Model United Nations Advocate

A special thank you to Dr. Jeffrey Glodzik for supporting our high school Model United Nations conference since 2011! This year, around 900 students from 46 schools in Western New York signed up to represent 84 countries in debate. We could not have done it without his help!

Dr. Glodzik has supported this annual event in a multitude of ways, including 

assisting with overseeing operations, recruiting and training committee leaders and judges, judging resolutions, and providing support on the day of the event.

An Associate Professor of History in the Department of Humanities at D’Youville University, he has a great rapport with Model UN participants. Dr. Glodzik’s help has been integral in ensuring our Model United Nations event goes smoothly for students, teachers, volunteers, and organizers alike.

We appreciate Dr. Glodzik for dedicating his time and knowledge to this highly valuable educational program that offers students hands-on experience in international relations, diplomacy, and public speaking. Thank you, Dr. Glodzik!

Click here to learn more about Model UN and all the other educational programs we offer. 

Suzan Mousesian
Professional Pathways Job Coach

Suzan Mousesian spent 35 years living in Canada before moving to the United States, and she has always been passionate about helping people build new beginnings throughout her life. She speaks several languages, including English, Armenian, Farsi, Dari, and conversational Turkish, which has allowed her to connect with people from many different backgrounds.

Working with immigrants and refugees has always been her dream job, and she says joining the International Institute of Buffalo truly feels like a dream come true. She adds that she is excited to bring her experience, but more importantly, her heart, to the IIB mission.

Click here to learn more about the Professional Pathways program and our other programs that help our clients get employed and help businesses find staff. 

Jennifer Ulrich
 French Translator

Jennifer, who is American born, was enticed to move to France with some friends who were going there to teach.

She had just enrolled to complete her bachelor’s degree and had zero French language skills, so she decided to kill two birds with one stone and do a semester abroad. Being more than 10 years older than the other students,

she totally immersed myself in the culture, making friends with people she met at the café or the park.

When she returned home, she enrolled in all high-level French courses. She was motivated to become a translator because she loves solving mysteries. She says looking at a document in another language and making sense of it in English to help someone is really satisfying and rewarding.

Besides translating, Jennifer is also our Manager of Language Services. She enjoys gardening, making her kids giggle, and biking. She adds that she secretly wants a pet!

Click here to learn more about our expert language services.   

The YMCA's Y on the Fly

Thanks to Y on the Fly, the YMCA mobile unit that travels to WNY neighborhoods. The program delivers free youth development activities aimed at inspiring healthy habits and encouraging learning through:

Last month, the Y on the Fly program came to our campus and helped with our first-ever Kids’ Field Day for recently arrived families. The event provided these families with the chance to relax, have fun, and make friends before the start of the school year!

Click here to learn more about how you or your organization can volunteer and give back to the community.

"The International Institute of Buffalo makes Western New York a better place for, and because of, immigrants and refugees."