Throughout its 156-year history, Canisius University has challenged its students to serve others and their community. Two recent alums have taken that message to heart.
Following graduation, Katie Castiglia ’25 and Delaney Hayden ’25 committed to a year of service with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC), one of the world’s largest lay Catholic volunteer programs. Through JVC, young adults dedicate one to two years serving marginalized and underserved communities across the United States and around the world.
[Photo: Delaney Hayden ’25 (left) and Katie Castiglia ’25 are among the latest Canisius graduates to continue the university's tradition of service through the Jesuit Volunteer Corps.]
Service Takes Shape in Two Cities
Based out of Oakland, California and Baltimore, Maryland, the two graduates built upon their experiences at Canisius by providing critical work to enact meaningful changes.
Castiglia, a psychology graduate from Canisius University's All-College Honors Program, had her eyes set on a year of service from the moment she entered Canisius. During her time in Oakland, she worked with Civicorps, an organization that helps with youth education and training. The program also assists individuals in developing marketable skills to help them find family-supporting careers. Serving on the wellness team, she helps individuals find housing and transportation while also working to address systemic issues and connect people to essential services.
Outside of her primary role, she also leads outdoor recreation activities that help community members connect with nature. Castiglia notes that the most rewarding part of her experience is seeing individuals succeed. “I’ve seen them graduate from the program and get jobs in Oakland, complete high school diplomas, and see them grow.” Castiglia emphasized the importance of humility and serving alongside others. “I am no better than the people I serve. It’s about being in kinship and listening to their stories,” she said.
Like Castiglia, Hayden’s life is centered around service. She places great emphasis on the words of Mother Teresa (now St. Teresa of Calcutta): “Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” From displaying the words on her childhood bedroom wall to taping them on her lacrosse stick as a Division I athlete at Canisius, these words are an integral part of Hayden’s life.
Hayden, also an All-College Honors graduate, earned degrees in political science and multimedia journalism. She serves as a paralegal with the Immigration Outreach Service Center (IOSC), where she provides legal support to Baltimore's immigrant community through personalized care and advocacy. She credited founder Rev. Joe Muth, IOSC attorney Patti Chiriboga-Roby, and staff members for shaping her development as both a Jesuit volunteer and legal representative.
“They modeled what compassionate advocacy looks like” said Hayden, “They taught me that effective legal work is not only about understanding the law, but also about accompanying people through life’s challenging moments with love, care, and respect for shared humanity.” She highlighted the organization's dedication to its faith life, noting that Father Muth, incorporates prayers, traditions, music and reflections from cultures and faith traditions through his experience with immigrant families.
Hayden added that her family and her time at Canisius strengthened her ideas of service, and that her time in JVC allowed her to practice Mother Teresa’s words, seeing first-hand the extraordinary impact small things have on individuals. “I have seen how a conversation, a shared meal, a phone call, a listening ear, or a simple act of presence can help someone feel seen, valued, and less alone,” she said. “I continue to be transformed by the people I’ve been blessed to meet along the way. Their stories, resilience, and generosity will stay with me for life.”
The Mentors Who Inspired a Life of Service
When asked about people who inspired them to join JVC, both Castiglia and Hayden named Canisius Chaplain Rev. Frederick Betti, SJ, as one of the most influential figures during their discernment.
Castiglia, a non-Catholic, noted that Father Betti helped her break down preconceived notions of the church, helping her feel more comfortable about joining the organization while Hayden said that Father Betti played an important role in her discernment by writing her letters of recommendation for both her year of service and law school. “He strengthened community life at Canisius, and made it feel like home. He created space for God’s presence to be felt in everyday encounters,” she said.
Castiglia pointed to the Honors Program, led by Professor Janet McNally as an influence. The program provided Castiglia with opportunities to serve the Buffalo community through organizations such as FeedMore WNY and St. Luke's Mission of Mercy, while gaining a deeper understanding of the challenges facing Canisius' neighboring communities. Through Honors, Castiglia also had the opportunity to take a wide variety of courses from different majors and subjects. “Canisius fueled the chance for me to be curious” she said.
Hayden credits a close family friend, Amy Fleischauer, a JVC alum, with encouraging her to pursue a year of service, and her parents, both Le Moyne College graduates, who instilled Jesuit values in her and her siblings. “Service was never framed as something we had to do, but as something we were grateful to be able to do, rooted in the belief that we are all children of God, and everyone deserves love, kindness, and respect.”
Hayden also credited several Canisius faculty members with shaping her personal and professional growth, especially Shyam Sriram, PhD, who encouraged her to channel her passion for writing and social justice into a career in law. She said his capstone course was particularly influential, demonstrating the many ways political science can be applied to real-world issues.
Carrying the Mission Forward
Both Hayden and Castiglia said the Jesuit tradition of cura personalis—care for the whole person—informs their work every day. They noted that their Canisius education gave them a deeper understanding of Jesuit values and a strong foundation for putting those principles into practice through service to others.
The pair’s time with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps ends soon. Hayden hopes to take the skills she learned back to the legal world as she enters law school this fall. “I’ve learned that while laws and policies matter, so does having someone who will listen, advocate and walk alongside people during uncertain times” she said. While she begins her law career, she noted that service will continue to be at the center.
Castiglia said, “I want to take what I learned in Oakland and bring it back to Buffalo.” She said her time in JVC reinforced the importance of a community-based approach to service, and inspired her to seek opportunities on Buffalo’s East Side. Calling her JVC experience “the most healing thing ever,” Castiglia encourages other Canisius students interested in JVC or service work to pursue opportunities that foster meaningful relationships. “Just show up and realize that you are not more important than the people you are serving,” she said.
