Commencement Profile: Win Min Thant

Graduate Student Address

President’s Medal For Outstanding Graduate Student

Win Min Thant has earned a master of science in multidisciplinary studies, attaining a 3.54 GPA while working as the education coordinator for the Buffalo State College Community Academic Center (CAC).

She will receive the President’s Medal For Outstanding Graduate Student and deliver the graduate student address during the 5:00 p.m. master’s hooding and C.A.S. ceremony at Buffalo State’s 147th Commencement, Saturday, May 18, in the Sports Arena.

A native of Burma, Thant arrived in the United States in 2007 and has dedicated herself to helping refugees make a successful transition to life in America. In particular, she is a passionate promoter of educational access for students of diverse backgrounds. Her character, actions, and research align with the college’s mission, and she has become a much-admired agent of change in the community. She is an exemplary learner who uses her intense curiosity to drive her achievements.

As an academic researcher, Thant designed a qualitative research study to track the academic success of refugees who have graduated or are on track to graduate from Buffalo State. The purpose of the study was to provide a guide and inspiration for refugees who have not yet enrolled in college and those who have dropped out of college. She will present her findings at the European Conference on Education.

At the CAC, Thant implemented the “Buffalo Beginnings” after-school program to provide community members with free assistance in literary and social skills. She also mentors Dr. Aaron Podolefsky AmeriCorps ABLE Fellows and a Cornell High Road Fellow at the CAC. In addition, she works with Buffalo State faculty members to incorporate the CAC into their service-learning course curricula.

A tireless advocate for social justice, Thant has volunteered as an advisory board member, presenter, and facilitator with the Anne Frank Project, and as a judge, panelist, and organizer for various community events promoting diversity and conflict resolution. She serves on the board of directors of Journey’s End Refugee Services Inc. and as a member of the Grant Review Committee of the Buffalo Main Streets Initiative program.