Scholarship program provides both financial support and mentorship

Ģ����ý in partnership with Elderwood, announced the launch of the Elderwood-Ģ����ý iCARE Career Pathway Scholarship. This initiative represents a $150,000 annual investment by Elderwood to support up to ten employees at a time as they pursue a practical nursing (LPN), registered nursing (RN), or bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) at Ģ����ý.

“This new scholarship program is another opportunity for Ģ����ý and Elderwood to work together to help strengthen the local healthcare workforce,” said Dr. Bassam Deeb, president, Ģ����ý. “The demand for qualified nurses locally continues, and with Elderwood’s commitment to investing in its employees, this program provides financial support, mentorship, and a clear path forward for those looking to advance in their healthcare careers.”

Beyond financial support, the partnership between Ģ����ý and Elderwood provides mentorship and guidance from experienced clinical and operational leaders, as well as helping the participants successfully navigate their education and transition into advanced nursing roles. Full-time and part-time academic program opportunities are available. Employees must continue working at least 15 hours per week while enrolled at Ģ����ý and commit to one-year of employment with Elderwood upon program completion.

“We see this partnership as more than a scholarship, it’s an investment in people who are already committed to caring for others,” said Dr. Jeffrey Rubin, co-CEO of Post Acute Partners, owner of Elderwood. “When we support our employees in advancing their education and careers, we strengthen not only our workforce, but the communities we serve.” Ģ����ý is currently working with the human resources team at Elderwood to enroll eligible employees for the Fall 2026 semester.

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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, Ģ����ý’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 Ģ����ý 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 Ģ����ý’s massage therapy programs, visit .

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“Ģ����ý 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 Ģ����ý’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 Ģ����ý. 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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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, Ģ����ý 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 Ģ����ý is Dec. 1, 2025. 

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“Through this program, students will be introduced to core concepts, tools, and techniques essential for understanding and applying AI in professional, academic and personal settings,” said Jason Konesco, executive vice president, Ģ����ý. “Offering this certification is an example of how Ģ����ý, as an opportunity college, is helping to address the needs and offer solutions for upskilling today’s current workforce.”

Ģ����ý 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’re the Expert Now, LLC and owner of ChatGPhD.com.

“AI is more than just a buzzword, it can give both individuals and organizations a measurable advantage when it comes to improved efficiency and productivity,” 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’s 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’s 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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“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. Ģ����ý’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, Ģ����ý 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 Ģ����ý 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 Ģ����ý’s nursing application, visit Ģ����ý.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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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 Ģ����ý include licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, registered nurse to bachelor’s degree in nursing, and medical assisting. 

“Ģ����ý 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 Ģ����ý’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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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 Ģ����ý students for employment opportunities at the end of the program.

“Ģ����ý 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 Ģ����ý’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 Ģ����ý’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.

“Ģ����ý 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.”

Ģ����ý 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.

“Ģ����ý 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, Ģ����ý 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. Ģ����ý 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 Ģ����ý’s veterinary sciences programs, which include veterinary technology and veterinary assisting, visit trocaire.edu/academics/veterinary-sciences/.

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