CPSI 2026 Buffalo State University Events
June 14, 2026 @ 5:30PM — June 17, 2026 @ 9:30PM Eastern Time (US & Canada) Add to Calendar
Buffalo State University: 1300 Elmwood Ave Buffalo, NY 14222 Get Directions
CPSI Opening, Sunday, June 14, 5:30-7:30pm Campbell Union -- Join us for networking, dinner, and an inspirational keynote from Mark Graham. Chef Mark Graham is a Chicago‑based culinary innovator whose career spans restaurant leadership, global product development, and high‑profile roles with NBC Chicago, the Chicago Tribune test kitchen, Starbucks, and Kellogg. Trained at the Culinary Institute of America, he blends Italian heritage, global flavors, and a deep belief in food as a sensory, emotional experience. Graham is known for making creativity deliciously accessible, whether teaching, designing new food products, or leading culinary teams. At CPSI, his interactive keynote will invite the Buffalo State community to literally play with their food, exploring
- Monday, June 15:
- 7:30-9:30pm: Game Night-Dungeons & Dragons with Mark Bylancik and Rob Gelberg at the Fireside Lounge in Campbell Union
- 7:30-9:30pm: More TBA!
- Tuesday, June 16:
- 7:30-9:30pm: Join us for Night Flights. Night Flights present the opportunity for CPSI Leaders to present new content or personal passions to the CPSI audience. Sessions are coordinated daily and updated daily. If you are interested in presenting a Night Flight, let us know!
- Wednesday, June 17:
- 7:30-9:30pm: CPSI Rewind Pub Night
CPSI Creativity Panel and Creativity Library Dedication FREE, Monday, June 14 -- Join us for an evening exploring one of the most urgent questions in higher education today: How will Artificial Intelligence reshape creative teaching and learning? Buffalo State University will host a special program on The Future of Creative Education in an AI World, followed by the dedication reception for the Dr. Sidney and Beatrice Parnes Creativity Collection in the E. H. Butler Library.
This gathering brings together contributors to The Palgrave Handbook of Applied Creativity in Global Higher Education and national leaders in creativity research and practice. The evening will blend keynote insights, panel dialogue, and a celebration of Buffalo State’s historic role in advancing the field of applied creativity.
Program Overview
7:00 PM — Welcome (Campbell Student Union)
Gerard Puccio sets the stage and connects the evening to The Palgrave Handbook of Applied Creativity in Global Higher Education.
7:10 PM — Keynote: Creativity and AI
Sarah Thurber explores how AI is transforming creative thinking, learning, and problem solving.
7:30 PM — Panel Introduction
Gerard Puccio introduces the panel and frames the conversation.
7:40 PM — Panel Discussion
A dynamic conversation on creative education, followed by audience‑driven questions. Panelists include Camille McKayle, Michael Lehman, Margaret Mangion, and Amanda Lohiser — all contributors to the Palgrave Handbook.
8:15 PM — Close
8:30 PM — Dedication Reception (Butler Library)
Join us in the Dr. Sidney and Beatrice Parnes Creativity Collection at the E. H. Butler Library for a celebratory reception. This event honors Buffalo State’s legacy as the birthplace of the Osborn‑Parnes model and invites our community to engage with the future of creativity, innovation, and education.