Headshot Happy Hour and Alumni Career Panel
Wednesday, February 8
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
$10 per attendee - includes drinks, food, and a professional headshot
LoRusso Alumni and Visitor Center
Located at the corner of Rockwell Rd. and Grant St. - Campus Map
Recent graduates are invited to this special career event!
Learn about in-demand job skills and the importance of professional branding from our alumni career panelists who will also share their own career journies. There will be a LinkedIn station where staff will assist you in setting up and improving your LinkedIn account, as well as Career Counselors from Career and Professional Education answering career questions. Registration includes food, drinks, and a headshot from our professional Buffalo State photographer! Beer and wine are served with ID to those 21 and older.
More about our Alumni Career Panelists:
Dr. Kanasha Blue, '10's Bio:
Dr. Kanasha L. N. Blue is a native of Montego Bay, Jamaica, and has resided in Western New York since 1997. Dr. Blue is a Veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and a retired Staff Sergeant of the New York Army National Guard.
In 2010, Dr. Blue graduated Magna Cum Laude from SUNY Buffalo State with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice with an Intelligence Analysis concentration. In 2015, Dr. Blue graduated from Marist College with a master's degree in Public Administration with an Ethical Leadership concentration. Dr. Blue earned her doctorate in Leadership and Policy from Niagara University in 2022. Her studies focus on the intersection of criminal justice policies and workforce opportunities. Dr. Blue's dissertation is entitled: A phenomenological examination of the impact of New York State criminal sealing law on previously incarcerated individuals.
Dr. Blue is the Western New York Associate Certification Director for Empire State Development's Division of Minority and Women's Business Development. As an Associate Certification Director, Dr. Blue promotes equality for economic opportunities for Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises to eliminate the barriers to their participation in State contracts.
Dr. Blue is also an accomplished Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant. Kanasha strives to help others, give back to her community and preserve human dignity in every aspect of her life. While deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Dr. Blue organized drives for personal care items and clothing for local workers in need. This effort was successful in helping 60+ men and women meet their basic personal care needs in a combat zone. Annually, Dr. Blue continues to support those in need through her Mary Kay Business, coordinating events and drives to support deployed troops, donating care packages to cancer patients, and providing holiday gifts to the elderly in local nursing homes.
Dr. Blue is the Commander of the American Legion Jesse Clipper Post 430. Under Dr. Blue's leadership, the Post strives to enhance the well-being of America's veterans, their families, and the military community. Dr. Blue and her Post render final salutes to fallen veterans and service members, educate school-age children about patriotism and promote the well-being of veterans in the Western New York Community. Dr. Blue also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Buffalo and Erie County Naval Park and is a founding member of the Diversity Inclusion and Equity Committee. This committee strives to eliminate barriers to minorities and create a more inclusive organization.
Furthermore, Dr. Blue's community involvement includes being an executive committee member of the Buffalo Branch NAACP and a founding member of the Young Adult Action Committee. The Young Adult Action Committee addresses the economic, education, public safety, and criminal justice issues affecting young adults in our local community. Dr. Blue is the recipient of the Buffalo Branch NAACP Rufus Frasier Human Relations Award, honoring her service to the Branch and Buffalo community.
Dr. Blue is married to her best friend, Robert E. Blue; they are the parents of four-year-old Robyn Elizabeth Blue. Dr. Blue has a tremendous support system comprised of family, mentors, and friends.
Kate Glaser, '10's Bio:
Kate Glaser is the Founder of Hope Rises, a media network that now spans the globe, averaging a 12-million weekly reach. Born and raised in WNY, she is has been devoted to good causes including careers at both Make-A-Wish WNY and Mercy Flight. She was also a television reporter and producer at both News 4 and Spectrum News for a decade. Kate was featured in Woman's Day Magazine as a "Hope Hero of 2022", is a "30 Under 30" Recipient, Nextstar Nation's "Remarkable Woman of 2020" and a Woman of Distinction by the State Assembly for her important work in the community. Kate is a mom of three young children and both her and her husband, along with their children, reside in East Amherst with their two rescue dogs.
Craig Harris, '00's Bio:
Craig Harris currently serves as the vice president of development for Catholic Health System, which is located in Buffalo, N.Y. Prior to his current role, Mr. Harris served in multiple institutional advancement and student affairs leadership positions including vice president for institutional advancement and marketing at Daemen University, vice president of institutional advancement at Canisius High School, associate vice president for development at Hilbert College, director of student life and leadership development at Long Island University, as well as other key roles at St. Lawrence University and SUNY Fredonia.
As the chief philanthropy officer for the Foundations of Catholic Health since April 2019, Mr. Harris’ primary responsibilities include oversight of five separate 501c3 foundations, principle gift acquisition, board governance, budget management, community relations, grant management, new privately-funded program development, annual and grateful patient programs, staff development/supervision and special event coordination. Under his leadership, the Catholic Health philanthropic program has grown by over 110 percent in three years and has funded new crucial community programs working to improve social determinants of health including the Food Farmacy.
Mr. Harris has been recognized for his efforts in the community by being honored as a member of the Buffalo Business First 40 under 40, Buffalo Business First Who’s Who in Healthcare and was selected to participate in both the prestigious Council for Independent Colleges Senior Leadership Academy and Association of Franciscan Colleges and Universities Leadership Academy.
Mr. Harris earned a master’s degree in student personnel administration from Buffalo State College and a bachelor’s degree in communications from the State University of New York at Fredonia. He resides in Lake View, N.Y., with his wife, Denise, and children, Abigail and Andrew.