Uncrowned Community Builders

Dr. Sherryl D. Weems has been the Director of the University at Buffalo, Educational Opportunity Center for over ten years. She came to Buffalo from New York City and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Spanish from SUNY College at Fredonia. Dr. Weems received both a Master's degree and Doctorate in Education from the University at Buffalo. She also is a graduate of the Management Development Program at Harvard University.

Despite her heavy work schedule, she is an original founding Board member of Buffalo Prep and still serves on the Advisory Board. She also is on the Board of Directors of the Arts in Education Institute of Western New York. Her other volunteer activities include the Urban Education Institute Policy Board and the IQ Task Force at the University at Buffalo. Dr. Weems is a member of Leadership Buffalo and the Rotary Club of Buffalo. She is a former board member of the YWCA and the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army.

Her experiences are not limited to the academy. She devotes much of her time and energy to community development projects and research activities that focus on youth, workforce development, issues of diversity, and organizational dynamics. Dr. Weems has numerous community commitments including membership on the Board of Directors of Goodwill, Inc.; the Erie/Niagara Tobacco Free Coalition; and was appointed to the New York State Workforce Investment Board.

Dr. Weems also has received numerous awards of appreciation and recognition including the Rev. Martin Luther King Human Relations Award for SCLC and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the State University of New York Office of Special Programs. Other organizations from which she has received awards include recognition from the Centennial AME Zion Church, the Community Action Organization (CAO), and the Masjid Numan-Clara Mohammed School for her commitment to youth and children. She also is very active with her boys in many sports and is coach for her son's basketball team. Dr. Weems is a member of Elim Christian Fellowship Church.