Working for justice by insisting on the dignity of all people.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Diversity by the Numbers
Villa Maria College is the most diverse and welcoming higher education institution in WNY.
Villa is the most diverse private college in Western New York
Villa has the highest percentage of African-American students of any private college in Western New York
Villa has the highest percentage of Pell-eligible students of any private college in Western New York
Villa is the highest-ranked college for social mobility in Western New York according to U.S. News
19
Say Yes Students
68
First Generation Students
16
Students with a Documented Disability
Integrity. Dedication. Opportunity.
Villa Maria proudly enrolls the most diverse student body of any private college in the Western New York region.
Accessibility and Affordability
Villa Maria College makes every effort to make its private, Catholic education affordable and accessible for all.
- Learn more about our numerous scholarship opportunities, the 99% of students who receive financial aid, and the 85% who receive Villa-funded grants and scholarships.
- There is no out-of-pocket costs for students’ textbooks and supplies at Villa. Learn more here.
- The Achieve Program supports students with learning differences as they work towards earning a college degree. Achieve is the only program of its kind in WNY.
- The College has partnered with Say Yes Buffalo to make higher education more attainable to graduates of City of Buffalo high schools.
- The Student Emergency Fund was created to aid students experiencing unexpected financial hardships.
- The Sister Mary Josette Food Pantry is a major project sponsored by the Office of Mission and Campus Ministry. It serves over 1,000 individuals in the local community each month.
- The Care Center provides supportive services to promote emotional well-being and enhance personal growth that contributes to students’ academic success. It is staffed by a qualified and experienced team of social workers who are trained to handle all situations expertly and confidentially.
- Villa Maria College has a diverse Board of Trustees who offer College leadership guidance in making all major decisions.
College DEIB News
Kennedy Secures $1.2M in Funding for the Institute For Mobility Innovation & Technology
Screening of “Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom” at Villa Maria
Param Kaur Hired as Institutional Research Analyst
Vikings Live Out the College’s Mission at Annual Service Day
Breaking Barriers: How the Benefits of Flag Football Empower Women Athletes
CJ Banks Joins Villa Maria College as the Special Assistant to the President
Villa Maria Reports 14% Enrollment Increase and Largest Incoming Class in Over 25 years
Alum Gianluca Ndukanma Returns to Villa as an Admissions Data Specialist
Villa Maria College Launches Free Books and Supplies Initiative with the Help of Hyatt’s
Villa Maria College Moves to #8 Ranked Best Colleges in the North for Social Mobility
Desmond Randall Steps into Athletic Director Role
Rock Autism Hosting Film Camp at Villa Maria This Summer
Dr. Giordano’s Letter to the Editor Published on Chronicle.com
Music Graduate Tashieka Thompson Wins Grammy With The Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus
DEIB Committee
Working to make changes for all.
- CJ Banks, Vice President of Career Advancement and Strategic Partnerships
- Jessica Bracco, Director of Student Accounts
- Jennifer D’Alessandro, Instructor of Business Administration
- Aryanna Denk, English Instructor
- Alissa Kowalski, Director of Student Success
- Kasha LeBron, Director of Student Success
- Dr. Donald Monnin, Vice President for Mission
- Laura Pietak, Director of the Achieve Program
- Des Randall, Director of Athletics
- Scasha Smith, Workforce Development Coordinator & Community Liaison
DEIB Statement
At Villa Maria College, we value diversity and respect for human dignity as foundations for our collective growth. We develop effective reciprocal relationships based on compassion, trust, and authenticity. To fulfill this purpose, we welcome all students and employees who contribute to the richness of our diversity. We work every day to ensure that all who join our inclusive community have what they need to realize their full potential.
Equal Opportunities for All
Villa Maria College is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, gender, disability, sex, sexual orientation, domestic violence victim status, marital status, veteran status, military status, predisposed genetic carrier status and any other characteristics or protected status recognized by applicable federal, state or local law. This policy applies to admissions, all terms and conditions of employment, and any other aspect regarding the conduct of College programs and activities
The College is committed to opening our doors and encouraging applications from all individuals to apply to a culturally diverse workforce. The College is committed to and promotes equal opportunity to all qualified individuals
Villa Maria College encourages diverse candidates to apply to open positions here: jobs.villa.edu.
International Students
Resources for international students looking to study at Villa Maria College can be found here.
Land Acknowledgement Statement
What is a Land Acknowledgement Statement?
A Land Acknowledgment statement is a simple, powerful way of showing respect and a step toward correcting the stories and practices that erase Indigenous people’s history and culture. Acknowledgment by itself is a small gesture. It becomes meaningful when coupled with authentic relationships and informed action. But this beginning can be an opening to greater public consciousness of Native sovereignty and cultural rights, a step toward equitable relationship and reconciliation.
Land Acknowledgement Statement for Villa Maria College
Villa Maria College acknowledges that the college is situated within the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, including the Seneca, Tuscarora, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, and Mohawk nations. We hope to demonstrate respect for the treaties that were made on these territories, and we pledge to work toward partnership with a spirit of collaboration with our current Indigenous neighbors. Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron and inspiration to the Felician Sisters who founded our college, possessed a great love and affinity for God’s creation of the natural world. We commit to continue that practice and promote those teachings to all we educate and serve.
Listen, Learn, Act
Villa Maria hosted Listen, Learn, Act on October 18, 2022.
Listen, Learn, Act provided a platform for leaders in education and the Western New York community to discuss racism, and the role educating plays in making a difference.
Read an account of LLA written by Digital Media and Communication students: www.villa.edu/llarecap
Watch a recording of the event, filmed and edited by our Digital Filmmaking students: www.villa.edu/listen
LLA was co-sponsored by Say Yes Buffalo and Senator Tim Kennedy‘s office.
Student Life
Boys and Men of Color Initiative
Boys and Men of Color Coalition that is aimed at accelerating positive outcomes for boys and young men of color across the cradle-to-career continuum. In partnership with the Greater Buffalo Racial Equity Roundtable, the City of Buffalo and Buffalo Public Schools, and Say Yes Buffalo, “Breaking Barriers” will expand the capacity of boys and young men of color to improve life outcomes and empower them to become agents of change in our community.
Learn more: sayyesbuffalo.org/boys-men-of-color-initiative
PRIDE!
PRIDE! is open to all Villa Maria College students and is committed to creating a safe and friendly community for all LGBTQS (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Questioning/Queer, Straight) students, promoting equality, and raising awareness through education and discussion.
Student Life Programming
Villa Maria’s Student Life Office has developed extensive programming that allows all students to share their own cultures and learn more about others. Some of the annual events include Black History Month, Unity Walk, Native American Heritage Month, Women’s History Month, National Hispanic Heritage Month, and more.
The Villa Way
At Villa Maria College, we build a culture of student success by being clear about our priorities, particularly as they relate to the beliefs and behaviors we expect from all members of the Villa community. These priorities are codified as the “Villa Way.”
Put Students First
Live our Core Values
Cultivate Positive Relationships
Celebrate Successes
Use Creativity and Research to Innovate
In the President's Words
Our Franciscan roots tell us to look deep within ourselves and find the courage and the capacity to understand how we contribute to perpetuating injustice and inequality, to recognize when we lack the moral courage to treat our fellow citizens with empathy and humanity, and to summon the strength to change our ways.
This is transformation.
Transformation is hard work, perhaps the hardest work we can ever pursue. It requires unfiltered honesty with one’s self, it mandates that we listen closely and fully to others without judgment, and it calls on us to be open to changing our ways.
Our Core Values
From these ideals flow our core values which are intrinsic to all that happens at Villa Maria College.
Respect for Human Dignity
Compassion
Transformation
Solidarity With the Poor
Justice and Peace
Ranked #8 in Social Mobility
U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in education rankings, unveiled its 2022 U.S. News Best Colleges.
Out of 52 colleges and universities, Villa Maria College was ranked #8 in Social Mobility.
This is a significant jump in rank for the College, which was ranked #16 last year.
Villa Maria is only college in the Western New York area to fall into the top 10 ranking in this category.
Community in Action
From supporting Buffalo’s East Side and beyond through its annual day of service, to making positive changes right here on campus, the Villa Maria Community doesn’t just preach its mission — we live it.
