Alessandro Sebastiani

Stepping into the role of Chair of the Department of Classics at the University at Buffalo is both a profound honor and a humbling responsibility. Academic leadership, like the ancient past I encounter in my research, is not a linear road: it is layered, often unpredictable, and requires patience, vision, and resilience.

In archaeology, every excavation begins with uncertainty. We face soil that conceals traces of lives long gone, not knowing what we will find or how it will change our understanding of the past. Yet it is precisely within these layers of difficulty and obscurity that the most meaningful discoveries emerge. I believe this principle applies equally to the challenges of academic leadership. Within every difficulty lies the seed of possibility, and within every challenge, the opportunity for growth—both personal and collective.

Taking on the role of Chair means acknowledging that administration will bring its own set of complex tasks: navigating schedules, supporting colleagues, addressing institutional demands, and imagining new opportunities for our students. These are not always easy responsibilities. But I see them as essential steps in a shared journey; steps that will allow me not only to grow as a scholar and leader, but also to accompany our department as it grows into new possibilities.

I do not see this role as a solitary endeavor. Rather, I hope to cultivate an atmosphere of collaboration, trust, and openness—where each voice is valued, and where our collective energy can be channeled toward building a thriving academic community. Just as ancient civilizations reinvented themselves through adversity, I believe we, too, can transform challenges into opportunities for renewal and innovation.

This moment marks the beginning of a journey that we will walk together. I look forward to learning from my colleagues, listening to our students, and finding creative ways to strengthen the connections between our discipline and the world around us. The Department of Classics has a long and proud history, but it also has a future filled with possibility.

As we enter this new chapter, I am filled with both gratitude and hope. Gratitude for the trust placed in me, and hope that by working together we can ensure our department remains a place of discovery, inspiration, and growth. In facing the tasks ahead with patience, determination, and a touch of humor, I am confident that we will not only meet our challenges, but transform them into opportunities that will shape us all for the better.

And perhaps this is where my training as an archaeologist will serve me best: knowing that beneath the surface, beneath the weight of difficulties and demands, there is always something worth uncovering—something that can change the way we see ourselves and the world. Just as every excavation teaches us patience, perseverance, and humility, so too will this new role. I look forward to digging into it, layer by layer, and discovering, together, what we can build for the future.