Spotlight November 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.

Mickey Kearns
Erie County Clerk  

We appreciate Erie County Clerk Mickey Kearns and his team for attending our community leaders' meeting. We regularly convene these meetings so our political leaders can engage with representatives from our New American communities, get a deeper understanding of local concerns, and share important information.

Learn how we help New Americans become part of our community!

Dr. Mehwish Sarwari
IIB International Exchanges and Education Advocate

A big thank you to Dr. Mehwish Sarwari, who has generously volunteered her time and expertise to support our International Exchanges and Education mission in many ways.

Over the years, Dr. Sarwari has kindly welcomed international visitors for informed discussions and served as a judge for our annual Community World Trivia competition and fundraiser.

She has also acted as a committee judge and recruited many of her students to volunteer as committee leaders in our Model United Nations conferences. Through these efforts, she uplifts the value that these programs bring to global awareness, student engagement, and public diplomacy.

Since 2015, Dr. Sarwari has been an Assistant Professor in the Political Science Department at Buffalo State University, where she shares her expertise in international relations, human rights, foreign policy, and more. Her dynamic teaching style and commitment to global issues inspire students to engage critically with the world around them.

Her kindness, enthusiasm, and appreciation for the work we do are evident, and she always looks for ways to support and make an impact on those around her.

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

Kotelo Mpiana
IIB Employment Case Manager  

Kotelo's commitment, professionalism, and remarkable work ethic have made an extraordinary impact across multiple programs at the International Institute of Buffalo.

She consistently goes beyond her responsibilities, always willing to assist clients and colleagues with care and kindness. Her calm and supportive 

presence creates a positive work environment where teamwork thrives.

Known for her reliability and strong work ethic, Kotelo never hesitates to take on extra tasks to ensure the team's success. She leads by example, demonstrating that actual achievement comes from collaboration and compassion.

We are deeply grateful for her continued commitment and the inspiration she brings to our clients.

Click here to learn more about our Employment Services team and how they help our clients get employed and help businesses find staff. 

Ryan Green
IIB Translation Coordinator

Ryan speaks English, Russian, Spanish, and Polish.

He was born in the United States, but through his dad's work, his family traveled and moved all over the world. His fascination with languages began when he was five years old while living in Germany.

He studied German and Spanish in high school and later Russian language and literature at Kent State University. He studied abroad in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, and volunteered at a summer camp in western Ukraine.

With the encouragement of one of his professors, Ryan moved to Russia after graduation and spent the next three years living in Tver, a provincial city on the banks of the Volga River, between Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Studying Polish was always a hobby, and he spent a summer studying intensive Polish at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, one of the oldest universities in Europe!

When he moved to Buffalo and started working at the International Institute of Buffalo, he began learning Spanish, which he has actively studied for the past 3 years.

Aside from studying languages, Ryan enjoys playing guitar, taking long walks around Buffalo, hiking, cooking, and visiting friends. A little-known fact is that Ryan is a descendant of the Blackfeet Nation of Montana.

Click here to learn more about our expert language services.   

Students from
Buffalo State University's Psychology Department

Thanks to the students from Buffalo State University's Psychology Department who helped our clients in our Conversation Club and Employment Buddies activities! These students volunteered with us as part of a service-learning course, which will give them insight into the various backgrounds of our New American neighbors.

Participation in these programs provides our clients with consistent, friendly faces to meet with to further develop their language skills and continue their job search. 

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

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