BUFFALO, NEW YORK – March 16, 2026 – , a private, Catholic college providing a pathway for students to build careers of achievement and lives of purpose, will host its Spring Soirée on Thursday, April 23 at from 6 – 8 p.m. at The Buffalo Club, 388 Delaware Ave. This annual fundraiser, which includes a cocktail reception with hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment, and a raffle, celebrates all who empower the spirit of Trocaire, including honoring three deserving individuals and organizations.  

This year’s award recipients include: 

• Ģ����ý President’s Award – Goodwill of WNY This award is presented to a person, group, organization, or corporation whose partnership with Trocaire advances the college’s mission, vision, and Mercy values, and supports current and Trocaire students and alumni. Goodwill has been a vital partner, providing essential services and career pathway support that align with a shared commitment to breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering individuals to achieve meaningful employment.  

• Distinguished Alumni Award – Michele A. Ladouceur ‘01 This award recognizes a graduate who embodies Trocaire’s tradition of excellence and serves as an inspiring example to fellow alumni and current students. Ladouceur is chief operating officer at Heathwood Assisting Living & Memory Care and a former Trocaire board of trustee and alumni board member. Her professional accomplishments and steadfast commitment to Trocaire reflect the values the college seeks to cultivate in every graduate and underscores her deep and sustained dedication to the college’s mission. 

• Outstanding Student Award – Nicholas R. Osman ‘26 This award is presented to a current student who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and commitment to Ģ����ý. Osman is expected to graduate this year with a degree in radiologic technology. Throughout his time at Trocaire, Osman as served as rad tech club president where he spearheaded a highly successful bake sale to support Radiating Hope and the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. He also played a leading role in organizing the May pinning ceremony, providing outstanding support for Student Life and his graduating class.  

Proceeds from the Spring Soirée support tuition assistance for Trocaire students. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit trocaire.edu/alumni-and-friends/events/.  

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About Ģ����ý 
Founded in 1958 in Buffalo, NY by the Sisters of Mercy, Ģ����ý is a private, career-oriented Catholic college that empowers students with the resources and supportive environment needed to achieve their academic goals. The core mission is to allow each person to be a valuable contributor to the workforce needs of the community. Trocaire offers bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, certificates and workforce development programs in healthcare, veterinary sciences, business, and technology. Trocaire ranks in the top one-quarter of colleges and universities for return on investment by Georgetown University and is designated as an Opportunity College and University by the Carnegie Classifications with a Higher Access, Higher Earnings classification. Visit  for more information and follow Trocaire on,  and . 

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“Massage therapy techniques help to improve muscle tone and circulation and promote overall wellness, stress management and rehabilitation,” said Susan Sullivan, LMT, Trocaire’s massage therapy program director. “Our clinic is an opportunity for students to continue to practice the learned techniques in a real-world clinical setting as they work toward completing their program and preparing for their licensure exam.”

The Trocaire student massage therapy clinic runs through May 14 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 – 5 p.m. A 60-minute massage is $40 for the public. A paraffin hand dip can also be added for $5. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling 716-827-2518.

Ģ����ý’s massage therapy programs include a 10-month certificate offering and a two-year associate in applied science degree. Each program combines lectures, laboratory experiences and clinical rotations at facilities throughout the region for a comprehensive understanding of both Eastern and Western massage therapy techniques. Graduates of both programs are eligible to sit for the New York State board licensure exam. For information on Trocaire’s massage therapy programs, visit .

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, 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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“After having various discussions with local Catholic education stakeholders, it became clear that Catholic schools, particularly at the elementary level, are facing a pressing challenge to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student population and their families,” said Dr. Bassam Deeb, president, Ģ����ý. “As an opportunity college, we understand that sometimes our students need wrap around and support services to help them thrive along their academic pathway. This collaborative initiative will bring that support to the elementary level, to ensure students and families have earlier access to needed resources.”

Ģ����ý will lead this pilot program with the goal of supporting a thriving, cohesive, and enduring Catholic education system in the region. The initiative will provide services that align with the cultural, linguistic, and economic realities of individual communities and offer support in crisis response, grief, housing instability, mental health navigation, and more. In addition, the project will look to connect students and families with appropriate resources and seek the input of existing, successful family support centers in the local public-school sectors.

“This partnership strengthens our ability to meet students and families where they are,” said Joleen Dimitroff, superintendent of Catholic elementary schools. “We are deeply grateful to the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation for its investment and to Ģ����ý for its leadership in expanding access to critical supports that help every child flourish academically, emotionally, and spiritually within our Catholic schools.”

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, one of the largest foundations in the United States and the largest foundation focused exclusively on healthcare across New York State, provides grants to improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable New Yorkers, bolster the health outcomes of diverse communities, eliminate barriers to care, and bridge gaps in health services.

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“Our Commission continues to reflect those who value and believe in the power of accreditation,” said Commission President Heather F. Perfetti. “We continue to see nearly 90 annually expressing interest in becoming Commissioners because of the way we center students and demonstrate a commitment to rigor and quality for our higher education community.”

Dr. Deeb joins the Commission from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2026, to fill an expired term. He has served as a peer evaluator for the Commission since 2012.

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) is a global institutional accreditor recognized by the United States Secretary of Education since 1952. As an accreditor and member of the regulatory triad, MSCHE assures students and the public of the educational quality for its over 500 institutions of higher education.

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“Trocaire is committed to increasing our student recruitment efforts to address the workforce needs and challenges facing our community,” said Jason Konesco, executive vice president, Ģ����ý. “Bill’s experience will be a valuable asset as we can draw on his extensive strategic and tactical enrollment knowledge to develop Trocaire’s long-term plans and enrollment goals.”

Sliwa brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in higher education, enrollment management and marketing to his new role with Trocaire. He most recently served as a consultant with the National Association of College and University Business Officers working with multiple colleges on revenue development and budget building. Sliwa is also the owner of Enrollment & Revenue Solutions, where he has served in interim enrollment and admissions roles with Texas Southern University, Canisius University, Ferrum College, and Alfred University in recent years. Prior to that, he served in various enrollment positions at higher education institutions throughout the Mid-Atlantic.

Sliwa is a member of National Association for College Admission Counseling, New York State Association for College Admission Counseling, Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling, American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, and Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Buffalo State University.

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“Hannah offers a strong combination of technical expertise, research skills and project leadership coupled with a commitment to supporting student success and advancing institutional effectiveness through data-informed decision making,” said Jason Konesco, executive vice president, Ģ����ý. “This newly created position will play a key role in ensuring transparency, accountability, and shared governance in institutional planning and assessment, and ongoing quality improvement across our academic and administrative departments.” 

McQueen is relocating to the Buffalo area from North Carolina and brings more than eleven years of research experience in higher education to her new role with Trocaire. In her most recent position as assistant director for survey research in the office of Institutional Strategy and Analysis at North Carolina State University, McQueen led campuswide survey initiatives, advanced evidence-based reporting for institutional planning, and worked with academic and student affairs units to translate student experience data into actionable improvements. Her areas of specialization include institutional data analytics, assessment, student success measurement, and research design. 

“I am looking forward to serving Trocaire by fostering data transparency and building collaborative processes across the college,” said McQueen. “A strong culture of continuous improvement is essential to sustaining accreditation and maintaining trust with students and the broader community, and this includes using data to highlight student learning, persistence, and post-graduate success.” 

McQueen earned a doctorate in sociology from North Carolina State University, a master’s degree in sociology from North Carolina State University, and a bachelor’s degree in economics and sociology from Coe College. She is a member of the American Association for Public Opinion Research.  

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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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“Before Trocaire, I hadn’t set foot on a college campus in eight years. I truly believed college wasn’t for me—that my dream was out of reach. But something changed. I took a chance, and from the moment I applied, I was met with support, encouragement, and a community that believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself.

As a first-generation college student and a mom, this journey wasn’t easy. There were long nights, tough exams, and moments of doubt. But I kept going—for my kids, for my family, and myself. Ģ����ý gave me more than an education; it gave me confidence, purpose, and a future I’m proud of.

Now, I’m stepping into the healthcare field with the skills and heart to make a difference. I’ve learned that it’s never too late to start over—and that with the right support, anything is possible.

If you’re thinking about going back to school, take the leap. Trocaire changed my life; it can change yours, too.”

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“From the dental field to the frontlines of healthcare, my journey to becoming a nurse wasn’t easy—but it was worth every step.

As a mom of two, balancing school, work, and family, life was a challenge. But at Ģ����ý, I found more than an education—I found a community that believed in me. With the support of my professors, classmates, and family, I pushed through the long nights and self-doubt to earn my degree.

I’m proud to have served as Vice President of Phi Theta Kappa and to have made the Dean’s List. But most of all, I am proud to be a Trocaire graduate, ready to make a difference in the lives of others.

Thank you, Trocaire, for helping me turn my passion into purpose.”

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