Trocaire helped Joelle find her path. Today, she’s helping others find theirs.

“When I chose 91快播, I knew I was pursuing a career in radiologic technology, but I never imagined how much the experience would shape both my professional and personal growth. Throughout my education, the faculty created an environment where every student was supported and encouraged to succeed. As a student who utilized testing accommodations, I experienced firsthand the compassion and dedication of Trocaire鈥檚 professors. They were nothing but accommodating, understanding, and genuinely invested in helping me reach my full potential. Their encouragement gave me the confidence to overcome challenges and achieve goals I once thought were out of reach.

I proudly graduated from 91快播 with High Distinction in 2022, earning my Associate of Applied Science in Radiologic Technology, and also graduated with Distinction in 2022 with my Associate of Science in General Studies. In 2026, I completed my Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Sciences, continuing the educational journey that Trocaire inspired me to pursue.

Today, I am the Lead X-ray and Mammography Technologist at Southtowns Radiology, where I also hold my credentials in mammography and am trained in stereotactic breast biopsy. One of the most rewarding parts of my career has been serving as a clinical instructor.I truly enjoy mentoring students, sharing my knowledge, building their confidence, and watching them develop into skilled, compassionate radiologic technologists. Seeing students grow from being nervous beginners into competent healthcare professionals is incredibly fulfilling, and I am honored to play a small role in helping shape the next generation of technologists.

In recognition of my passion for teaching, I was humbled to receive 91快播鈥檚 Part-Time Educator of the Year Award for 2025-2026. Receiving this honor from the institution that helped launch my career was especially meaningful.

Looking back, I am incredibly grateful for my time at Trocaire. The education, mentorship, and unwavering support I received prepared me not only to excel in my career but also to give back by educating future technologists. Trocaire will always hold a special place in my heart, and I am proud to be one of its alumni.“

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BUFFALO, NEW YORK 鈥� March 16, 2026 鈥� , a private, Catholic college providing a pathway for students to build careers of achievement and lives of purpose, will host its Spring Soir茅e 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鈥檕euvres, live entertainment, and a raffle, celebrates all who empower the spirit of Trocaire, including honoring three deserving individuals and organizations.  

This year鈥檚 award recipients include: 

• 91快播 President鈥檚 Award聽鈥撀燝oodwill of WNY聽This award is presented to聽a person, group, organization, or corporation whose partnership with Trocaire聽advances聽the college鈥檚 mission, vision, and Mercy values, and supports聽current and聽Trocaire students and alumni.聽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.聽聽

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

• Outstanding Student Award聽鈥撀燦icholas R. Osman聽鈥�26聽This award is presented to a current student who has聽demonstrated聽outstanding academic achievement and commitment to 91快播. Osman is expected to graduate this year with a degree in聽radiologic聽technology. Throughout his time at Trocaire, Osman as served as rad tech club president where he spearheaded聽a highly successful聽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聽for聽Student Life and his graduating class.聽聽

Proceeds from the Spring Soir茅e 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 91快播 
Founded in 1958 in Buffalo, NY by the Sisters of Mercy, 91快播 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鈥檚 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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“Before Trocaire, I hadn鈥檛 set foot on a college campus in eight years. I truly believed college wasn鈥檛 for me鈥攖hat 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鈥檛 believe in myself.

As a first-generation college student and a mom, this journey wasn鈥檛 easy. There were long nights, tough exams, and moments of doubt. But I kept going鈥攆or my kids, for my family, and myself. 91快播 gave me more than an education; it gave me confidence, purpose, and a future I鈥檓 proud of.

Now, I鈥檓 stepping into the healthcare field with the skills and heart to make a difference. I鈥檝e learned that it鈥檚 never too late to start over鈥攁nd that with the right support, anything is possible.

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

The post Fall 2025 Alumni Spotlight: Yazmin Colon, Radiologic Technology 鈥�25 appeared first on About.

“From the dental field to the frontlines of healthcare, my journey to becoming a nurse wasn鈥檛 easy鈥攂ut it was worth every step.

As a mom of two, balancing school, work, and family, life was a challenge. But at 91快播, I found more than an education鈥擨 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鈥檓 proud to have served as Vice President of Phi Theta Kappa and to have made the Dean鈥檚 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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鈥淭hrough this program, students will be introduced to core concepts, tools, and techniques essential for understanding and applying AI in professional, academic and personal settings,鈥� said Jason Konesco, executive vice president, 91快播. 鈥�Offering this certification is an example of how Trocaire, as an opportunity college, is helping to address the needs and offer solutions for upskilling today鈥檚 current workforce.鈥�

Trocaire has hired Anthony DeSimone, CPA, CMA, and AI integration expert, to create and teach this certification course. For more than 25 years, DeSimone has delivered AI-focused and leadership education, including leading AI accelerator programs and workshops and specializing in making existing standard operating procedures more efficient through AI integration. He serves as president of You鈥檙e the Expert Now, LLC and owner of ChatGPhD.com.

鈥淎I is more than just a buzzword, it can give both individuals and organizations a measurable advantage when it comes to improved efficiency and productivity,鈥� said DeSimone. “This program is designed to train professionals across industries in safe, ethical, and effective use of Generative AI, and empower them to integrate AI effectively and strategically within their own organization.”

The six-week program, which includes weekly two-hour in-person or online classes, focuses on topics ranging from AI fundamentals to prompt engineering, workflow automation, and ethical integration into organizations. Students will gain hands-on experience using ChatGPT, building task-specific prompts, creating custom GPTs, and exploring AI鈥檚 most advanced features. Students will build a practice AI toolkit, culminating in a capstone project and live feedback session. Graduates of the program will receive a Beginner鈥檚 Certificate upon completion. No technical background is required.

The first cohort is slated to launch Dec. 1. For more details and to apply, visit trocaire.edu/academics/workforce-development/chatgpt-101/.

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“I鈥檓 a proud 91快播 alumna from the graduating classes of 2023 and 2024. I鈥檓 currently working as an MRI technologist, a role I鈥檝e grown to love deeply.

My journey in healthcare began with Trocaire鈥檚 Radiologic Technology program. Before that, I had no experience in the field, but I quickly discovered a passion for being part of patients鈥� lives and making a meaningful impact. While in the Rad Tech program, I worked at the front desk of a local outpatient facility and also had the opportunity to tutor first-year students at Trocaire鈥攂oth experiences that helped shape my path.

After graduating, I was hired as an X-ray technologist at the same outpatient facility. While working in that role, I pursued my bachelor鈥檚 degree in Healthcare Management at Trocaire, graduating in 2024. With my injection license in hand and over a year of experience in X-ray, I was offered the chance to train in MRI鈥攁 field I鈥檝e come to enjoy more and more each day.

My advice for any current student is don鈥檛 be afraid to ask for help. Asking for help isn鈥檛 a sign of weakness but it is a sign of growth. Everyone needs support at times, always remember that you are not alone.

I鈥檓 incredibly grateful for the path I鈥檝e taken and wouldn鈥檛 change a thing about my journey!”

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announced today that Nora OBrien-Suric, Ph.D., president of the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York, is the distinguished speaker for Trocaire鈥檚 73^rd commencement ceremony to be held on May 13 at 7 p.m. in University at Buffalo鈥檚 Center for the Arts.

鈥淚n inviting Dr. OBrien-Suric to speak at graduation, we are recognizing her achievements and are excited to hear her perspective on the challenges and rewards in serving as a healthcare advocate,鈥� said Dr. Bassam Deeb, president, 91快播. 鈥淪ince most of our students will soon be starting careers in healthcare, we look forward to her insights into the field. We know she will inspire our graduates to find their voice as they seek to live out their dreams.鈥�

With more than 20 years of experience in philanthropy, Dr. OBrien-Suric was named the second president of the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York in 2017, a private foundation serving 16 counties in New York State. Guided by the principles of trust-based philanthropy, the Health Foundation builds strong community partnerships and engages in advocacy to advance health equity, with a focus on older adults, young children, and community capacity-building. Before joining the Health Foundation, Dr. OBrien-Suric had more than 20 years of experience in philanthropy with The John A. Hartford Foundation and The Brookdale Foundation.

Earlier in her career, Dr. OBrien-Suric collaborated with community-based organizations focused on providing services to older adults, including the New York City Department for the Aging and the Institute on Law and Rights for Older Adults. She established the position of Director of National and Internal Partnerships at the International Longevity Centre Global Alliance; and served as the vice chair of the United Nations NGO Committee on Ageing, which provided consultation to the development of the United Nations International Plan on Action on Aging in 2002. In 2021, Dr. OBrien-Suric launched a statewide campaign to advocate for a Master Plan for Aging in New York State. In 2022, Gov. Kathy Hochul initiated the plan and named Dr. OBrien-Suric to the state鈥檚 Master Plan for Aging Stakeholder Committee.

Dr. OBrien-Suric holds a doctoral degree in social welfare from Hunter College School of Social Work, a master鈥檚 degree in gerontology from the California State University at Dominguez Hills, and a certificate in geriatric mental health counseling from the University of Southern California Davis School.

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91快播 is celebrated for its friendly atmosphere, quality education, and accessible admissions process. Paula Leszak, an alumna, clinical instructor, and current student, exemplifies the transformative power of education at Trocaire.

Before her nursing career, Paula utilized her degrees in psychology and public administration in various leadership roles. She fulfilled her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse by enrolling in Trocaire’s evening AAS RN Nursing program, graduating in 2012. She then completed her MSN and obtained certifications as an Adult Nurse Practitioner and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.

With a background in primary care and addiction medicine, Paula is now expanding her skills by adding massage therapy to her repertoire and is set to graduate in May 2025. As a clinical instructor, she shares her knowledge and experiences with nursing students, highlighting the collaborative and nurturing environment at Trocaire.

Reflecting on her journey, Paula emphasizes the importance of Trocaire in shaping her career and personal growth. She encourages anyone with a desire to learn to explore Trocaire’s programs, praising the college for its supportive community and commitment to student success.

The post Spring 2025 Alumni Spotlight: Paula Leszak, ANP, PMHNP, ’12, ’25 appeared first on About.

Congratulations to Trocaire Alumna, Dr. Susan Stocker ’78 on the dedication of Susan J. Stocker Hall at Kent State Ashtabula.

Dr. Stocker retired from Kent State Ashtabula in 2022 after more than 30 years of service to the university. She led the campus as Dean and Chief Administrative Officer for 21 years and was the longest-serving dean in Kent State鈥檚 history at the time of her retirement.

Dr. Stocker鈥檚 enduring legacy of compassion, service, education, and action embodies the cherished Mercy values of Catherine McAuley. The Trocaire community is proud to have Susan as an alumna. You can read Dr. Stocker’s full article from the or watch the recording of the .锘�

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“Since graduating, I have been on quite a journey. My required internship evolved into a full-time job while I was still in school and continued after graduation.

I secured my first HR job before graduation and began working the Monday following my graduation ceremony. Over the past ten years, I have worked in various industries such as manufacturing, law, parking, technology, and now property management, all in an HR capacity. I have been fortunate to oversee all HR functions, establish the HR department, and shape the company culture from the ground up. This journey has been exciting and impactful for all the people I have had the privilege to assist and work with.”

Congratulations Libby Kamieniarz ’15 for your Buffalo Business First 30 Under 30 award!

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