Buffalo, NY – Katie Castiglia ’25 came to Canisius University with a strong work ethic and an eagerness to learn. What she found was something more: a calling to serve others. On Saturday, May 17, Castiglia graduated from Canisius ready to put that calling into action.
From the time she set foot on campus, the psychology major’s impact was felt across campus. Whether participating in outreach through Campus Ministry or organizing service initiatives as president of the All-College Honors Program, Castiglia embraced the Jesuit ideal of living “for and with others.” But it was a winter break immersion trip to East Los Angeles that reshaped her post-graduation plans.
“I always knew I wanted to give a year after college to service,” she says, “but I didn’t know what that could look like until I saw the impact of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC), firsthand, during that trip.”
Rooted in the Jesuit values of social justice and spiritual growth, JVC places young adults in yearlong service roles that address the needs of marginalized communities across the United States. This fall, Castiglia will begin a service year with the JVC in Berkeley, CA, working as a support services assistant for Civicorps. There, she will support young adults facing systemic barriers to employment and education, offering help with job placement, housing, FAFSA support, and more.
“We’re not all handed the same opportunities,” says Castiglia, who credits her time both in and out of the classroom for helping her to understand the larger social forces that shape peoples’ lives. “Canisius taught me to recognize that and to respond with empathy, action and advocacy.”
Many of those lessons Castiglia learned through the relationships she built in the Honors Program and the Psychology Department.
“I grew so much through these relationships – mentors who encouraged me, professors who challenged me, and peers who inspired me.”
As Castiglia prepares for her next chapter, she isn’t yet certain whether she’ll pursue a master’s degree in mental health counseling or social work. What she does know is that her work will always center on service and meaningful connection.
“Service has always been a part of me, but Canisius helped me see what it really means to commit your life to it.”
Fittingly, Castiglia's time at Canisius concluded with a deeply meaningful recognition. The university conferred upon her the Amy Betros Community Service Award, given to an Honors student who best reflects the Canisius mission of service. For Castiglia, it’s more than an award. It’s a tribute to the path she’s chosen and the values she plans to carry forward.
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.
