2025 Outstanding Seniors named

Sarah J. Vinal of Buffalo, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in anthropology and Africana and American studies. Vinal is an Africana and American studies honors graduate. She participated in Korea University's International Summer Campus (ISC) program in Seoul, service trips to Montecristo, El Salvador and an immersion trip to Mongu, Zambia. She worked as a case management intern at Journey's End Refugee Services, providing essential support to refugee clients during their resettlement process. In the fall, Vinal plans to pursue a dual degree master’s in social work and Juris Doctor with hopes to do macro-level social work, system change work and policy reform.

Cassandra Wagener of Buffalo, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in anthropology and a minor in history. Wagener is a recipient of the Pride of New York Scholarship. She completed an Experiential Learning Network (ELN) project doing independent research alongside Assistant Professor Lacey Carpenter in UB's Teotihuacán Archaeological Collection. This project earned Wagener an ELN badge in mentored research and her findings were presented at the Society for American Archaeology's 90^th annual meeting. In the fall, Wagener plans to work locally to explore the job field and deepen her experience in collections research. 

Sage Scholz of Tonawanda, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of fine arts degree with a concentration in photography. Sage's work is rooted in portraiture, centering on queer and underground spaces, capturing personal moments with friends and collaborators. In addition to these community works, Sage uses self-portraiture to explore the complexity of gender. By abstracting their body, they examine being raised in traditional gender roles and their development to both separate from femininity and accept certain aspects of it within their transgender identity.

Ainslee Rose of Buffalo, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in Asian studies and a minor in linguistics. A dedicated scholar and researcher, she was a fellow at the Asia Research Institute, presented research at the New York Conference of Asian Studies and volunteered at numerous academic events. 

Beyond her academic work, Rose has been actively involved in global exchange and education, serving as an intern at the International Institute of Buffalo and as a cultural liaison for the Gyeonggi Youth Ladder Program. She studied abroad at Korea University and is currently the Communications Chair for the Korean American Student Conference.

Passionate about inclusion and intercultural communication, Rose has worked as an academic coach and a student assistant at UB's Office of International Education. She aspires to continue her research in Korean language and culture and further her work with immigrant, refugee and international communities. In the fall, Rose plans to pursue a master's degree in international affairs at Georgetown University. 

Jasmin Gill of Niagara Falls, Canada, graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in biological sciences and political science. Gill is a UB Presidential Scholar and member of the biological sciences honors program. She serves as president of the Association of Pre-Medical Students; a teaching assistant for evolutionary biology and fundamentals of biochemistry; and as a student ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences. She has conducted research in several fields, including working with Dr. Anurag Singh in the Department of Radiation Medicine at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center; Dr. Sonya Noor at Buffalo Endovascular and Vascular Surgical Associates; and Dr. Kim Griswold at the Human Rights Initiative at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Gill has published 12 manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals such as BMC Cancer and JAMA Network Open. Of note, she gave an oral presentation as first author of a project at the American Society of Clinical Oncology in 2023. Gill will be matriculating to medical school this summer. 

Owen Szeglowski of Buffalo, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of science in chemistry. Szeglowski is a UB Presidential Scholar and member of the University Honors College. He has been an active member of UB ChemClub, the student chapter of the American Chemical Society at UB, serving as its president and executive advisor. Szeglowski has conducted research on catalytic applications of polynuclear porphyrin architectures in the Cook lab for the last three years, resulting in several fellowships and publications. Outside of chemistry, he has been a teaching assistant for cell biology and tutored at the UB Tutoring and Academic Support Services Center. In the fall, Szeglowski will pursue a PhD in inorganic chemistry at Harvard University.

Nolan D. Mattison of Horseheads, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in classics and a minor in anthropology. Mattison worked with classics professor John Dugan and Alison Fraser in the Special Collections of the University Libraries as part of an independent study cataloging a series of ancient coins in the university's possession. Mattison plans to pursue a master's degree in classics and archaeology while continuing his research on ancient numismatics.

Juliana Hassouna of Bridgewater, N.J., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of fine arts in dance and a bachelor of arts in communication. Hassouna is a member of Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society and holds a 4.0 GPA. She has been a teaching assistant in the Department of Theatre and Dance and holds the role of undergraduate assistant to the director of UB's pre-professional dance company, Zodiaque Dance Company. After graduation, Hassouna plans to move to New York City to pursue a professional career in dance.

Tracey Coffy of Spring Valley, N.Y., graduates cum laude with a bachelor of arts in speech and hearing science. During her time at UB, she co-founded and served as treasurer of the Haitian Student Association. She is also a member of the Student Association of Speech and Hearing. Coffy worked as a research assistant in Professor and Chair Jessica Huber's Speech Physiology lab, focusing on neurogenic disorders. She also served as a clinic ambassador for UB's Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Clinic. Additionally, she interned under a speech-language pathologist in the Buffalo Public School District, assisting children with multiple disabilities. This fall, Coffy will pursue a master's degree in speech-language pathology at UB.

Maya Lasker of Lancaster, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of science in geological science and a minor in environmental studies. She was the recipient of the 2024-25 Reginald H. Pegrum Outstanding Senior in Geology award. Lasker was also a member of the UB Women's Club Hockey team and the UB Track and Field club. She worked as an undergraduate lab assistant and researcher in the Paleoclimate/Glacier History lab under Professor Jason Briner. As of this spring, she began pursuing a master's degree in geological sciences at UB.

Noah Jenkins of Rochester, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in economics, mathematics and political science. Jenkins is a student in the University Honors College and is a member of the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program. He is also a member of Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society and is a College of Arts and Sciences student ambassador. Jenkins is the recipient of the UB Excellence in Research and Scholarship Award, the 2023-24 Joseph W. and Kenneth P. Kogut Brothers of New York Mills Economic Development Award and the 2022-23 Matthew Scarpati Endowed Scholarship Fund. He also worked with Associate Professor Joanne Song McLaughlin in the McNair Summer Research Program researching the impact of Medicaid Expansion on Crime. He served as a research assistant at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Additionally, he has worked as a student tutor in mathematics and statistics. After graduation, Jenkins will work as a research associate at Harvard Business School.

Fiona Serrano of Shirley, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in history, English and global gender and sexuality studies and a minor in Jewish studies. Serrano is a McNair Scholar and a member of Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society. She wrote and presented several research papers that won awards, including the Nels Andrew Cleven Founder's Paper Prize from Phi Alpha Theta, a national history honors society. She is a student ambassador for both the University Honors College and the College of Arts and Sciences and served as the president of the Undergraduate History Association. In the fall, Serrano will pursue a doctoral degree in European history at UCLA, focusing on gender and abortion in the USSR.

Madison Niespodzinski of West Seneca, N.Y., graduates magna cum laude with a bachelor of science in environmental studies and biological sciences. Niespodzinski is a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta, the pre-health honor society and Alpha Kappa Chi, the professional environmental fraternity. She has served as the president of the Pre-Veterinary Association, where she helped establish a relationship with the Niagara Frontier Veterinary Society's Pet Emergency Fund to help pet owners in need of assistance relieve emergency vet bills. Niespodzinski has served as a teaching assistant three times for Teaching Professor Jessica Poulin's evolutionary biology course and once for Assistant Professor Nicholas Holowka's comparative primate anatomy course. She has also worked as an undergraduate researcher in Assistant Professor Stephanie Poindexter's Applied Primate Behavioral Evolution Lab and Associate Professor Vincent Lynch's Developmental Evolution and Medicine lab. Niespodzinski is applying to veterinary schools to pursue a doctorate of veterinary medicine and plans on studying infectious diseases at the wildlife-livestock interface.  

Heidi Eberhardt of Beverly, Mass., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of science in environmental geoscience and geographic information science. Eberhardt is a member of the University Honors College and was treasurer of the Outdoor Adventure Club for two years. She worked as an undergraduate researcher in Professor Jason Briner's Paleoclimate lab, presenting her findings at the Northeast Geological Society of America's annual meeting. Eberhardt plans to work in the conservation and restoration fields following graduation.

Rowan Dobson of Ithaca, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in political science, global affairs and Jewish studies. Dobson is a member of the University Honors College and is vice president of the UB Model United Nations Club. He is also the Hillel Israel Leadership Network campus representative at UB. Dobson presented his work at the Crossing Borders conference at Niagara University in 2023 and the Two Days of Rural Canada conference at Brock University in 2024. His honor thesis "Icebreaker Investment in the Arctic and it's Impacts on Arctic Shipping," supervised by Professor Collin Anderson, was presented at the Midwest Political Science Conference in Chicago. 

Nicholas Mori of Tokyo, Japan, graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in linguistics and Spanish. Mori is a member of Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society and recipient of UB's PEARL Award. He worked with Professor Matthew Faytak as part of self-directed research projects on Japanese and Cameroonian languages. During his time at UB, Mori participated in study abroad programs in Mexico and Peru and conducted linguistic fieldwork in Cameroon. On campus, he founded UB's Japanese Culture association J-Tomo and served as its first president. In the fall, Mori will pursue a doctoral degree in linguistics at Harvard University.

Danielle Tear of Levittown, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in mathematics as a part of the UB Teach mathematics combined degree program. Tear is a UB Presidential Scholar and recipient of the Harry Merrill Geham Scholarship. She is a teaching assistant for the Department of Mathematics and played the cello in the UB Symphony Orchestra. In the fall, Tear will begin her student teaching residency in pursuit of a master's degree in mathematics education with a secondary certification in computer science.

Giuliano Gatti of Buffalo, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in media study and a minor in global film studies. Gatti’s film “BLEACH” was screened at the 2024 Buffalo International Film Festival where it won Best Creative Approach and tying for Best Production/Directing at the 2024 Baird Point Film Festival. Following graduation, Giuliano plans to earn a graduate degree and pursue a career in the film industry.

Emelia Bottoms of Hamburg, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of music in vocal performance. She is a student ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences. She has won multiple awards for her vocal abilities, including third place in the 2023 Western New York-Finger Lakes Region National Association for Teachers of Singing competition and second prize in the 2024 American International Music and Art Association's Young Artists International Singing Competition. During her time at UB, she has been a part of the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, Buffalo Master Chorale, Buffalo Opera Unlimited's production of “Michael Ching's Speed Dating Tonight!” and UB's production of Su Lian Tan's “Lotus Lives.” She has worked privately in lessons with Assistant Professor Tiffany DuMouchelle and Professor Jaman Dunn-Danger and presented her senior recital this year. Emelia will return to UB in the fall to pursue two master's degrees in vocal performance and library and information sciences.

Keilai Angeldekao of Portland, Ore., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in philosophy and philosophy, politics and economics (PPE). Angeldekao is a student ambassador for the College of Arts and Sciences. He was the founder and president of the Legal Scholars Achieving Triumph Club and treasurer of PPE club. He was UB Discover Law Program's sponsored scholar by the Minority Bar Foundation and the program's research assistant. He has served as course assistant to both Associate Teaching Professor David Gray and Associate Teaching Professor Sarah Vincent. He is currently interning for Assistant Professor John Beverely at the National Center of Ontological Research. In the fall, Angeldekao plans to pursue legal studies and hopes to combine it with his ontological pursuits.

Corey Young of Newark Valley, N.Y., graduates cum laude with a bachelor of science in mathematical physics. Young is a member of UB's Society of Undergraduate Physics Students, where he served as treasurer and president. He has been a volunteer tutor of introductory physics as well as a peer assisted learning leader for intermediate classical mechanics. He has worked as an undergraduate researcher in Professor Priya Banerjee, Professor Tim Thomay and Professor Chanjiang Liu's laboratories. In the fall, Young will pursue a doctorate in physics at the University of Notre Dame, where he was awarded the Dean's Fellowship.

Calder Wright of Buffalo, N.Y., graduates cum laude with a bachelor of arts in political science. Wright is a member of the political science honors program and recipient of the Philip Becker Goetz Student Scholarship. He contributed to research and worked with Associate Professor Jacob Neiheisel on an independent study in eschatology and politics and completed an honors thesis on populist politics and religion under Professor Timothy Hellwig's supervision. In the fall, Wright plans to attend law school.

Riley Godwin of Buffalo, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in psychology and health and human services with a community mental health concentration. Godwin is a member of the University Honors College and psychology honors program. She served as an Undergraduate Student Representative on the Department of Psychology Senate and the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Academic Integrity Committee. She was the vice president and social media coordinator of the Undergraduate Psychology Association. Godwin completed a study abroad program in London, England. She worked as a school counseling intern at Persistence Preparatory Academy and as an undergraduate researcher in Professor Jamie Ostrov's Social Development laboratory, where she conducted an independent honors thesis. In the fall, Godwin will pursue a doctoral degree in school psychology at UB.

Nels Otterson of Buffalo, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in French and political science and a minor in English. Otterson was a Boren Scholar, spending a year abroad in Senegal studying French and Senegalese politics while working with local NGOs interested in education. While at UB, Otterson worked with Assistant Professor Adam Schoene to complete research on West African literature and political realities. He also worked in Buffalo as a volunteer tutor with Journey’s End Refugee Center and as an interpreter with the International Institute. In the fall, Otterson will pursue a dual master of arts in international relations and a master of public administration at Syracuse University.

Jordan Horn of Buffalo, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of social sciences interdisciplinary with a concentration in international studies and a French minor. Horn is a recipient of the Grace W. Capen Award and a member of the University Honors College and the National French Honors Society Pi Delta Phi. During her time at UB, she was a teacher's assistant to Clinical Assistant Professor Aisling Winston, studied abroad for a semester at Sciences Po Lille in Lille, France and completed an internship at the International Institute of Buffalo. Horn also holds the position of community event coordinator for the Buffalo-Community Laboratory, a UB sociology and social justice club. After graduation, Horn plans on continuing her travels and pursuing a master’s degree in international business.

Aaliyah Yakatally of Staten Island, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts in criminology and law. Yakatally is a member of the international pre-law fraternity Phi Alpha Delta and has acted as the coordinator of finance for the Residence Hall Association's Evans Hall Council Executive Board. She is a recipient of the Board of Managers Senior Scholarship and the Ralph D. Hochstetter Scholarship and has worked as a peer advising assistant in the College of Arts and Sciences Office of Student Advisement and Services. Yakatally completed a portion of her undergraduate study in London, England through SUNY Albany's Education Abroad program at Regent's University London. She has been an undergraduate teaching assistant for Teaching Assistant Professor Jared Strohl and Lecturer Joel Black in the Department of Sociology and Criminology and School of Law, respectively. In the fall, Yakatally will pursue a Juris Doctor at St. John's School of Law as a recipient of their Dean's Scholarship.

Joyce Cheng of Queens, N.Y., graduates summa cum laude with a bachelor of fine arts in theatre design and technology. Throughout her time at UB, Cheng was an active member of student association as part of the sound tech team. She has worked on multiple departmental shows, including "The Pajama Game" and "Fabulation or the Re-Education of Undine" where she served as sound designer and sound mixer. Additionally, she worked with Zodiaque Dance Company as a sound designer, sound engineer and stage manager. She was also sound designer as part of the design team for UB's student directed series "Ernest and the Pale Moon." After graduation, Cheng will pursue a master's degree in sound design at Carnegie Mellon University.