, a private, Catholic college providing a pathway for students to build careers of achievement and lives of purpose, today announced the appointment of Dr. Joanna Hillman as dean for health, science, and general education. In this role, she will oversee Trocaire’s biology, general studies, management, healthcare management, and technology programs, and supervise the director of behavioral science.

“Joanna has been a vital member of our campus community and this promotion is well-deserved,” said Dr. Jennifer Blickwedehl, chief academic affairs officer, Ģ����ý. “This is a newly created position at Trocaire and Joanna’s expertise in curricular design, assessment, and online pedagogy will be invaluable as we continue to create a more holistic and integrated approach to academic life for our students.”

Dr. Hillman joined Trocaire in 2018 as a biology instructor and most recently was a professor of biology. Her campus leadership spans the faculty senate, the IDEA committee, and many interdepartmental projects. Dr. Hillman has also served as the Roswell Scholars program coordinator, faculty supervisor for Phi Theta Kappa, and is a member of the Middle States Steering Committee.

Dr. Hillman holds a doctorate in cellular and molecular biology from the University at Buffalo/Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, and a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from University at Albany. She resides in Eden.

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The CPT Program offers financial and educational support for eligible participants, covering tuition, books, and most academic supplies and fees. Wraparound support, including educational case management, tutoring, and job placement assistance is also available. 

“Healthcare careers remain in demand here and across the state, and the CPT Program provides an added incentive for students who want to pursue or advance their careers in this in-demand industry,” said Jason Konesco, executive vice president, Ģ����ý. “As an opportunity college, Trocaire continues to explore ways to collaborate with others in the community to ensure we are addressing local workforce needs by providing qualified, skilled candidates upon graduation.”   

Funded by the New York State Department of Health and administered regionally by the FLPPS Workforce Investment Organization, the CPT Program has supported nearly 1,800 students across Western New York, the Finger Lakes, and a portion of the Southern Tier. Together, Ģ����ý and FLPPS aim to prepare skilled professionals who can meet the growing demand for health, behavioral health, and social care roles. 

For the upcoming spring 2026 semester, Ģ����ýs offers the following CPT Program-eligible programs: certificate programs in licensed practical nursing and medical assisting.   

“The CPT Program is about more than an education—it’s about creating opportunities for students, supporting employers, and strengthening our communities,” said Carol Tegas, CEO of FLPPS. “By continuing our partnership with institutions like Ģ����ý, we’re helping students gain the skills and support they need while building a stronger, more sustainable workforce that reflects and meets the evolving needs of New Yorkers.” 

The CPT Program is open to individuals new to the field as well as those who are currently working in health, behavioral health, or social care who are seeking career advancement. Participants must complete their education or training program by spring 2027 and commit to three years of full-time service at a qualifying NYS Medicaid-enrolled provider serving at least 30 percent Medicaid and/or uninsured individuals. The service commitment must be fulfilled by 2031; a regularly updated list of qualified employers in the FLPPS region is available on the CPT Program website.  

Individuals must apply for the CPT Program through the Workforce Investment Organization (WIO) that serves the county in which they have permanent residency. Learn more about the CPT Program at .  

For more details on the program including eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit /admissions-and-aid/tuition-financial-aid/career-pathways-training-program/.  

Deadline to apply for the CPT Program for the spring 2026 semester at Trocaire is Dec. 1, 2025. 

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“Qualified veterinary technicians are needed now and the demand for these positions is only projected to increase into the future,” said Dr. Katherine Fitzgerald, dean of veterinary sciences, Ģ����ý. “We designed our program and new state-of-the-art teaching facility space to offer an optimal learning environment with plenty of hands-on opportunities for students to work with animals of all sizes and species, so our vet tech graduates are fully prepared to work in a variety of animal facilities.”

Veterinary technicians assist veterinarians, working with veterinary staff and providing treatment to animals, which can include performing tasks such as surgical preparation, anesthesia monitoring, medical equipment sterilization, radiographic procedures, diagnostic testing, medication administration, client communication and more. As the student progresses through the curriculum, their learning will be a balance of classroom, clinical experiences, and hands-on labs. Trocaire’s veterinary technician associate degree program, which is available both in-person and online, launched last year. Visit the veterinary sciences program offerings for more information.

In addition, Trocaire offers specialized training and hands-on experience in cybersecurity, data analytics, and healthcare informatics to meet the local workforce’s need for talented and specially trained tech workers. Visit the technology professions programs for more information.

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Limited opportunity for first-time nursing students to lock in the current tuition rate

Today Ģ����ý announced it is offering a tuition freeze for students starting their associate degree in registered nursing this fall.

Students who commit to the RN program starting fall 2025 as a first-time freshman (either part-time or full-time) will have their tuition rate frozen* while they remain enrolled at Trocaire and complete both their associate and bachelor’s degrees in nursing. Upon earning an RN degree, students will automatically be accepted into the bachelor’s degree program and receive the locked-in tuition rate they have been previously paying. This is a limited-time opportunity, with applications due by July 15, 2025, for the fall 2025 semester. 

“As the high demand for qualified nurses continues to rise, this ensures tuition stability for students who are dedicated to receiving a four-year nursing degree,” said Dr. Bassam Deeb, president, Ģ����ý. “Further, this program offers students the flexibility to work as an RN while they continue their education to complete their bachelor’s degree.” 

For more details on the tuition freeze opportunity and Trocaire’s nursing application, visit Trocaire.edu/TuitionFreeze.

*This freeze applies to tuition only and does not apply to any College or miscellaneous fees (late fees, clinical fees, lab fees, etc.).

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Collegis empowers data-driven admissions and streamlines prospective student support

announced today a multi-year partnership with to advance its enrollment strategy and elevate the student experience. Through this collaboration, Trocaire will leverage Collegis’ and its platform to guide prospective students from inquiry to enrollment.

The partnership comes as Trocaire begins implementing its new three-year strategic plan, with a sharpened focus on increasing enrollment and creating a seamless, student-centered admissions process. 

“Ģ����ý is looking forward to working with Collegis to help grow our enrollment in alignment with our mission.  Collegis has a proven track record of achieving results in higher education including revenue-growth, enrollment expertise and optimization of student experiences while having an ‘edu-preneurial’ mindset,” stated Jason Konesco, executive vice president at Trocaire. “We chose Collegis for their ability to be a true partner working collaboratively with our team to create a tailored solution that will best reflect the needs of our institution.”

Collegis will serve as an extension of the Trocaire admissions team, providing personalized support and helping prospective students navigate their journey from initial inquiry to first contact to the first day of class. With just over 1,000 students across its South Buffalo location and Transit Achievement Center in Lancaster, Trocaire empowers students to achieve personal enrichment, dignity, and self-worth through education in various career-focused degree programs including healthcare, business, technology, veterinary sciences and the liberal arts. 

Earlier this year, Trocaire first connected with Collegis at the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) Annual Meeting. Additional follow-up meetings, including a site visit from the Collegis team, solidified a shared vision for a collaborative, student-first approach.

At the core of this partnership is , Collegis’ integrated technology and analytics platform that empowers institutions to make data-informed decisions while extending operational capacity. Recently named a “cool tool” by EdTech Digest, with Connected Core, Ģ����ý will gain actionable insights into prospective student behavior, streamlined admissions workflows, and access to enrollment specialists trained to deliver high-quality student engagement.

“This partnership reflects what we do best: supporting institutions like Trocaire to help them grow in ways that honor their mission,” said Pat Green, vice president of enrollment solutions at Collegis Education. “We’re proud to bring data, tech, and talent to Trocaire’s team and we are passionate about supporting the next generation of students preparing for careers of purpose and lives of service.”

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has partnered with Finger Lakes Performing Provider System (FLPPS) on the Career Pathways Training (CPT) Program, a state-funded program designed to address workforce shortages in health, behavioral health, and social care sectors across New York State, and aims to build a diverse and skilled workforce capable of serving New York’s most vulnerable populations.

Through this program, tuition and education-related expenses, including textbooks, most supplies, and other academic fees— are covered after financial aid is applied for eligible participants to pursue education and training in one of 13 high-demand health, behavioral health, or social care roles. Support services are also available to participants to ensure academic success.

Programs offered at Trocaire include licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, registered nurse to bachelor’s degree in nursing, and medical assisting. 

“Trocaire always strives to be the opportunity college that provides all available resources for student success and by partnering with New York State we can help to remove the financial barriers that some students face when seeking to enter careers in healthcare,” said Dr. Bassam Deeb, president, Ģ����ý. “The CPT Program complements Trocaire’s mission to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow to meet the needs of the community. Since introducing the CPT Program in the spring 2025 semester, we have had 20 students who have either started or advanced their healthcare studies and we look forward to extending this opportunity to additional eligible students this fall.”

The CPT Program is open to new academic students and offers pathways for both individuals entering the health, behavioral health, and social care workforce for the first time, and current workers seeking career advancement.

As part of the program, participants are required to complete their education and training by Spring 2027 and then commit to three years of full-time employment with a New York State Medicaid-enrolled provider that serves at least 30 percent of Medicaid members and/or uninsured individuals. This service commitment must be completed by 2031.

“We’re proud to support individuals who are eager to enter or advance in the health workforce but may face financial or social barriers to do so,” said Carol Tegas, CEO of FLPPS. “The CPT Program is about more than education—it’s about equity, opportunity, and meeting the real needs of our communities. Our partnership with Ģ����ý helps ensure that talented, committed individuals can access meaningful careers, while we build a stronger, more resilient health workforce for the long term.”

The CPT Program also offers robust support services to help participants thrive—ranging from program readiness and educational case management to ongoing academic support, career coaching, and job placement assistance. These services help participants successfully transition from education to employment and provide continued support throughout their three-year service commitment.

For more details on the program including eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit . Deadline to apply for the CPT Program for the fall 2025 semester at Ģ����ý is August 11, 2025. Deadline to apply for the 2026 spring semester is December 1, 2025.

Individuals must apply for the CPT Program through the Workforce Investment Organization (WIO) that serves the county in which they have permanent residency. The FLPPS region covers Western NY, the Finger Lakes, and a portion of the Southern Tier. Learn more about the .

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Ģ����ý was ranked in the top one-quarter of 4,500 colleges and universities for return on investment by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and Workforce.

Trocaire also has been designated as an Opportunity College and University by the Carnegie Classifications, which recognizes institutions that can serve as a model for studying how campuses can foster student success. Trocaire was recognized with the Higher Access, Higher Earnings classification. Further, Trocaire received an institutional classification for nursing, showing that the college offers the most degrees related to this academic program.

“As part of our mission of being an opportunity college, we have long served a demographic of students who in many instances work part-time and are raising their own families,” said Dr. Bassam Deeb, president, Ģ����ý. “These rankings solidify the work we do every day to provide the resources and supportive environment our students need to help them reach their academic goals and pursue a career pathway that allows them to make a difference in their own lives, while contributing to the workforce needs of our community.”

The Georgetown University studies 4,500 colleges and universities by return on investment. According to the study, A First Try at ROI: Ranking 4,500 Colleges finds that bachelor’s degrees from private colleges, on average, have higher ROI than degrees from public colleges 40 years after enrollment. Community colleges and many certificate programs have the highest returns in the short term, 10 years after enrollment, though returns from bachelor’s degrees eventually overtake those of most two-year credentials.

Researchers used data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scoreboard database, including earnings for students several years after enrolling, average net price at each institution and the type of degree a collage most commonly awarded.

The Opportunity Colleges and Universities designation is part of a newly developed Student Access and Earnings Classification published this month by the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education. This new classification examines the extent to which institutions foster opportunities for student success by measuring whether institutions are enrolling students reflective of the communities they serve and how the earnings of those students compare to peers in their area.

In 2025, 479 institutions have been identified as Opportunity Colleges and Universities, which is about 16% of all U.S. colleges and universities that are in the Student Access and Earnings Classification.

Institutions were assessed on two measures: one for access, which is based on the percentage of students who receive Pell Grants and the percentage of undergraduate students who are from underrepresented racial/ethnic backgrounds, and one that is based on undergraduate students’ post-attendance earnings eight years after entering the institution.

The methodology for the new Student Access and Earnings Classification uses multidimensional groupings of the 2025 Institutional Classification to evaluate student access and earnings between similar colleges and universities. More information about the 2025 Student Earnings and Access Classifications, including the methodology, can be found . 

The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education is the leading framework for recognizing and describing institutional diversity in U.S. higher education.

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Upon completion of the ten-week program, a student will be prepared for entry-level placements in an insurance office, front desk at a hospital, or medical office providing healthcare customer service. The course focuses on teaching the communication skills needed to be successful in a healthcare customer services role including medical terminology, basic electronic medical records navigation, core knowledge of the medical insurance industry, and the ability to navigate patient privacy and security issues. Workforce Buffalo will work with local employers to interview Trocaire students for employment opportunities at the end of the program.

“Trocaire is pleased to partner with Workforce Buffalo to offer this program to help train for and connect students with their first job in healthcare. This is a great opportunity to start out in a front office or customer service-related position,” said Dr. Bassam Deeb, president, Ģ����ý. “Employers need qualified candidates who understand the basics of healthcare, speak the language and understand how to navigate electronic health records. Graduates of this program will have these skills so they can immediately explore new careers.”  

Classes for Trocaire’s healthcare customer service program begin April 22 and run Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. until June 26.

If interested in learning more about the program or to apply, visit Trocaire’s Healthcare Customer Service Program for details. Funding may be available to eligible applicants. Application deadline is March 31.

Workforce Buffalo is a network of employment and training providers, educational institutions, economic development agencies, and community service organizations working together to help every person reach his or her career goals.

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Extensive Renovation Creates State-of-the-Art Facility with Labs and Clinic

today cut the ribbon to officially open its new state of the art veterinary sciences building on Transit Road.

“Trocaire is excited to open this new facility that will allow our veterinary technician students to have both academic and practical experiences at the same location. Working hands-on with a variety of animal species is an important part of the learning required for veterinary technology students,” said Dr. Katherine Fitzgerald, dean of veterinary sciences, Ģ����ý. “Graduates of this program will have knowledge in the care and handling of animals, routine lab and clinical procedures, veterinary medical and surgical nursing, anesthesiology, and diagnostic imaging. We are setting students up for success by providing them instruction by experienced faculty and staff in a state-of-the-art facility that has the most up-to-date veterinary equipment.”

Trocaire has invested in revamping its existing 1,500 square feet of classrooms and former kitchen area at its Transit Road site and added 3,290 square feet of new dedicated veterinary sciences space to the first floor. The department features animal wards, a surgery suite and prep room, dental procedures lab, radiology, several teaching laboratories, and amenities needed for the veterinary sciences department.

“Trocaire is committed to investing in the preparation for high demand careers and we are so excited to offer this veterinary sciences program. Our new learning space offers students the chance to have hands-on experience, so they are prepared for the essential job tasks including conducting lab tests, preparing patients for surgery, administering medications, and assisting with surgical procedures,” said Dr. Bassam Deeb, president, Ģ����ý. “The growth rate in this field should produce about 20,700 new openings nationwide from 2022 to 2032. This ensures graduates will discover a promising career.”

In November 2024, Trocaire announced a partnership between its veterinary sciences department and the SPCA Serving Erie County. The surgery suite will be used for surgeries and services like spays and neuters for shelter pets. Trocaire students under faculty direction will perform procedures while learning the essentials of the operating room and lessening the surgical population at the SPCA’s Gacioch Teaching Hospital and Infirmary.

For more information on Trocaire’s veterinary sciences programs, which include veterinary technology and veterinary assisting, visit trocaire.edu/academics/veterinary-sciences/.

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The veterinary sciences faculty at , a private, Catholic college providing a pathway for students to build careers of achievement and lives of purpose are offering their top five holiday safety tips for pet owners. Pets are like family but have very different needs during this holiday season.

“The holidays can be stressful for our pets with changes to routines including lots of unfamiliar people visiting, loud noises, new smells and changes in environment with decorations,” said Katie Fitzgerald, DVM, Dean of Veterinary Sciences, Ģ����ý. “With our new veterinary sciences department, Trocaire has dived into the world of animal care and safety full force. We want to offer our expertise to the community and help prevent your furry friends from feeling overwhelmed.”

The top five holiday safety tips from Trocaire’s veterinary sciences faculty include:

• Eliminate table food. While it might be tempting to share your holiday feast, it’s safer to keep your pet on their regular daily diet. Holiday foods often contain fatty, spicy, and sweet ingredients which can be dangerous for your pet. And always remember to avoid giving dogs and cats chocolate as it is toxic to them.

• Decorate with pets in mind. Pets may be curious about new, shiny decorations. Try to avoid string, tinsel, or even hooks which could be ingested.

• Watch the lights and candles. Just like shiny decorations, pets may also be intrigued by twinkling lights and candles. Wires from lights may cause harm to pets should they bite the wire or become entangled. Candles can also burn curious paws or active tails.

• Protect pets from plants. Several festive plants and floral decorations available at this time of the year can be both dangerous and, in some cases, poisonous to pets. These include poinsettias, mistletoe, and holly. The ASPCA offers a list of plants on its that are toxic to both dogs and cats. If you believe your pet is ill or may have ingested a poisonous plant, contact your veterinarian right away.

• Remember pets get stressed too. Try to stick to a regular routine as much as possible with your pet. Provide them with a dedicated space of their own with a familiar blanket or toys amidst the hustle and bustle.

Ģ����ý offers an in-person and online associate degree veterinary technician program, which features a combination of classroom learning, clinical experiences, and hands-on labs. Veterinary technicians assist veterinarians, working with veterinary staff and providing treatment to animals. For more information, visit trocaire.edu/academics/academic-program/veterinary-technology/.

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