Alumni Spotlights

Sometimes your path leads to unexpected destinations. That was the case for Emily (Abriola) Van Brocklin, ’01, who works under the stage name Emily Steele. Emily wanted to be a singer, so, after earning her bachelor’s degree in secondary English education from Niagara University and a master’s...

Kortney Keyes, B.S.’13, enrolled in Niagara University’s College of Hospitality and Tourism Management intending to return to her home on the Seneca Nation’s Cattaraugus Indian Reservation in Irving, N.Y., and work for one of the nation’s casinos.An internship at the Seneca Niagara Resort...

In the 17 years since she earned her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Niagara University and was named Outstanding Mental Health Counseling Student, Kimber Shelton, M.S.Ed.,’05, has accomplished much. She earned her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from the University of...

On Nov. 21, 2021, two individuals were elected to serve on the New York State Supreme Court in the seventh judicial district. Both were Niagara University graduates: Jim Walsh, B.S.’88, and Elena Iacovangelo Cariola, B.A.’97.Jim Walsh, B.S.’88Jim, B.S.'88, and Jean (Yurgealitis) Walsh,...

Over the course of her 40-plus-year career in healthcare, Deborah (Tansey) Zimmermann, B.S.’80, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, has seen the impact nurses have had on patients and their families, and the vital roles they play in keeping our communities healthy and safe. Today, as CEO of the DAISY...

Faith and family are the foundation of Nasreen Akhtar’s life. The entrepreneur, who earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at NU, feels compelled by her Muslim faith to serve others. For the past five years, that service has included a turkey giveaway in the city of Niagara...

Fredonia native Morgan Genovese, B.S.’19, MBA’21, came to Niagara University to play soccer and softball while earning her undergraduate and graduate business degrees. Coming from a family of entrepreneurs, her intent was to become a business owner herself, although she hadn’t decided what...

When you first meet Britini D’Angelo, you can’t help but notice her enthusiasm, her optimism, and her confidence. At the age of 24, she has accomplished much: She completed degrees in both theatre and communication at Niagara, was twice honored by NU’s Student Government Association as one of...

Kelly (Mullaney) Milliman B.S.’10, M.S.’11, always knew she wanted to work for the FBI. The education she received as a criminal justice major at Niagara University paved the way for her to achieve that goal.“The investigative work of the FBI really captured my attention,” she said. “I...

Dr. Timothy Belavich, '92, never thought his career would lead him to work with incarcerated persons, but an unexpected opportunity at San Quentin State Prison started him on a path that he has found both rewarding and in alignment with the goals he had as a Niagara University graduate, even if it...