BUFFALO, NY – Twenty-two Canisius University students are recipients of a 2025-26 Western New York (WNY) Prosperity Fellowship. Generously supported by the Prentice Family Foundation and The Bryant Foundation, the fellowships assist undergraduate and graduate students who have an entrepreneurial drive and are pursuing careers that further economic development and growth in the Western New York area. The program combines financial assistance in the form of scholarships with paid, credit-bearing internships to assist fellows in acquiring both academic and practical experiences in their intended professions. Fellows intern in their chosen fields of interest, working alongside leaders in upper-level management who serve as mentors. In exchange, Prosperity Fellows must commit to working in Western New York for at least two of the 10 years following their graduation.
“We are deeply appreciative of the Prentice Family Foundation and The Bryant Foundation for its ongoing commitment to Canisius and the region,” says Shawn O’Rourke, PhD, dean of the Wehle Business School. “Through these fellowships, our students develop a deep understanding of Western New York’s economic landscape and their role in helping to shape the region’s future. They graduate not just with knowledge but a clear understanding of how to drive meaningful change in Western New York.”
The recipients of the 2025-26 Western New York Prosperity Fellowships are:
Anuoluwapo Adigboluja ’26, of North Tonawanda, who is pursuing a bachelor's degree in criminal justice with minors in peace and conflict studies and pre-law. She serves as secretary of the Canisius African Student Union and works in the university's ITS Office. Adigboluja plans to attend law school to explore the intersection of law, technology and human rights, with a goal to advocate for marginalized communities.
Daniel Bowen ’24, of Kenmore, is pursuing his MBA and has been a Western New York Prosperity Fellow since 2022. A former Division-I swimmer turned coach, he currently works as a sales and leasing consultant at West Herr Toyota. Bowen is committed to making significant contributions to the entrepreneurial landscape in the greater Buffalo region.
Alyssa Chatham ’25, of Buffalo, holds a dual degree in accounting and accounting information systems. As an undergraduate, she was president of the Canisius Art Club and graduate advisor to several student organizations. She was a member of the All-College Honors program and a consistent dean's list recipient. Chatham plans to pursue an MBA with a concentration in accounting to make a meaningful difference in her community.
Shannon Dean ’27, of Niagara Falls, is in the graduate mental health counseling program. A certified health and life coach with degrees in psychology and exercise science, she runs her own life coaching business and is passionate about equal access to healthcare and bridging gaps in the WNY community.
Mekhi Edwards ’25, of Buffalo, recently graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and will begin his MBA studies in fall 2025. He works as a digital marketing specialist at Sprint Marketer and serves as marketing manager for Buffalo Fashion Week. He is vice president of finance for the American Marketing Association and recipient of the Say Yes Scholarship. Edwards aspires to innovate the marketing space in Buffalo with fresh ideas and impactful strategies.
Brandon Gaspar ’25, of Hamburg, earned his bachelor’s degree in finance and economics in May and plans to pursue his MBA with a concentration in marketing, beginning in fall 2025. As an undergraduate at Canisius, Gaspar was president and treasurer of C-Block and treasurer of the Canisius University Chorale. He hopes to work for a local financial institution in Buffalo and serve on the board of a non-profit organization.
Molly Giacchi '25, of Buffalo, is in the clinical mental health graduate program, graduating at the end of 2025. A singer/songwriter and actress in the Buffalo area, she has a passion for directing theatre with adolescents. She plans to open a private practice specializing in mental health treatment for children and adolescents.
Calvin Herrick ’23, of LeRoy, NY, is currently in the MS program for physician assistant studies. He graduated summa cum laude from Canisius with a bachelor’s degree in biology, served as president of Beta Beta Beta biological honors society, and received the Resident Assistant of the Year Award. Upon graduation, he hopes to provide affordable healthcare to medically underserved populations in Buffalo.
Jacob Mages, of Lancaster, is pursuing his MBA at Canisius University after graduating summa cum laude from Wilkes University with a double major in accounting and corporate finance. He played on the Wilkes Men's Volleyball team and will continue playing volleyball at the club level at Canisius. Mages plans to earn his New York State CPA license and gain experience at a local firm in Western New York.
Kyle Neudorf ’27, of Williamsville, is a first-year candidate for an MS in sports administration. He is interning with the Buffalo Bills business development team and has worked for all major Buffalo teams. Neudorf aspires to be a collegiate athletic director with interests in business development and facilities operations.
Oumou Diakite '25, of Cortland, NY, is in her second-to-last semester in the mental health counseling program, expecting to graduate in December 2025. She has held several leadership roles including resident assistant, hall director, and vice president of Active Minds. She hopes to own a private counseling practice to aid her community.
Jenna Palladino, of Buffalo, is pursuing a master's degree in physical education/health education at Canisius. A certified teacher in multiple subjects, she founded "Mill Kids Care" at age 12, a peer-support club for students with special needs. She is driven by a vision to develop an inclusive after-school physical education program for students of all abilities.
Noah Radomski ’25, of Lancaster, earned his bachelor's degree in sport management from Canisius University. He is an ambassador for the Wehle Business School and a member of Omicron Delta Kappa. Radomski will pursue his MBA at Canisius with an emphasis on marketing and plans to work in the WNY sports industry.
Rachel Regan ’25, of Elma, recently graduated from Canisius with a degree in finance and will return in the fall to pursue her master's degree in finance. She has gained diverse experience through internships and community service. Regan hopes to build a career that connects finance and engineering to create innovative solutions for the Buffalo community.
Dakari Sawyers ’25, of Buffalo, graduated from Canisius University in May with a bachelor’s degree in finance. He plans to get his MBA with a concentration in equity analysis to pursue a career in wealth management, focusing on educating and developing wealth-building practices within marginalized communities.
Jocelyn Shahu, of Williamsville, graduated from Duquesne University with a dual degrees in integrated marketing communication and strategic public relations and advertising. She is pursuing her MBA at Canisius with a concentration in marketing. Her professional interests include brand strategy, digital marketing and event planning.
Jessica Shine, of Rochester, NY, graduated from Siena College in 2023 with a degree in psychology and is working towards her master's degree in clinical mental health counseling at Canisius. A former Division I swim team captain, she is an advocate for mental health awareness in athletes and hopes to specialize in eating disorders and sports performance counseling.
Tristan Spotts, of Buffalo, graduated in May 2025 from the University at Buffalo with degrees in psychology and Spanish. He has been involved in Alpha Kappa Chi environmental service fraternity and Psi Chi psychological honor society. He will attend Canisius in fall 2025 to earn his master's in clinical mental health counseling.
Alexander Terry-Emanuel ’25, of Hyattsville, MD, earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting and accounting systems analytics from Canisius and will now be pursuing an MBA in accounting. He is currently participating in a tax internship program with Ernst & Young and aspires to become a chief financial officer or controller at an organization focused on financial literacy in underserved communities.
Nicholas Tirrell, of Turner, ME, graduated from Hartwick College with a double major in business administration and sociology in December 2024. He will begin pursuing an MBA with a concentration in financial services at Canisius in January 2025 while competing on the swim team. His long-term goals include opening a sports marketing agency in WNY or increasing the presence of fiduciary financial advisory services in the region.
Ramsey Tozier ’27, of Brasher Falls, NY, is a clinical mental health counseling major from Brasher Falls, NY. She is a member of the a cappella group CrescenDONT's and serves as a student ambassador. Tozier hopes to become a licensed mental health counselor.
Alana Wilbon ’26, of Buffalo, is pursuing her MBA at Canisius University with a focus on marketing. She has experience as an administrative assistant at ECMC and served as events coordinator for an undergraduate student organization. Wilbon hopes to work with sports teams in marketing and advertising, focusing on initiatives that engage youth.
The Prentice Family Foundation and The Bryant Foundation were established in 2007 and 2023, respectively, by generous benefactors Bryant and Joan Prentice to serve as a philanthropic organization that leverages economic development through scholarship support to ultimately make a multi-generational impact on Western New York. Learn more about the program by visiting Western New York Prosperity Fellowship at Canisius.
Canisius was founded in 1870 in Buffalo, NY, and is one of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S. Consistently ranked among the top institutions in the Northeast, Canisius offers undergraduate, graduate and pre-professional programs distinguished by close student-faculty collaboration, mentoring and an emphasis on ethical, purpose-driven leadership.
