Inside each of us, there is a will to explore and create change for the better—for ourselves and for others.
Power for Good.
At Villa Maria College that’s been our way for more than 60 years, from our beginnings as a teacher-training center for Felician Sisters in the 1960s through today, having emerged as a small-but-mighty, four-year co-ed college that transforms students into professionals.
Purposefully, our growth has never been for the sake of growth alone. We have always shared a vision for someday. Villa Maria College’s track record of transformations, both institutional and individual, is driven by the values, resiliency, and faith held by many like-minded people—people like you—who believe someday can be today.
Opportunity without compromise.
75%
of students qualifying for federal pell grants, double the percentage of most other local private colleges
$4M
in institutional financial aid, cutting tuition costs by 40%
8th
in the North for Social Mobility, according to US News & World Report Best Colleges
85%
of Vikings receive Villa-funded grants or scholarships
$3.5M
invested in student success in the last 5 years
95%
of Vikings choose to stay in Buffalo after graduation so an investment in Villa is an investment in Buffalo
Help Make Someday Today.
Your commitment is an invaluable part of Villa Maria’s community of support—it makes it possible for our plans for the future to start right now.
Focused Giving
Specify how you’d like your gift invested and make certain your support directly reflects what’s most important to you, from academic programs to special initiatives.
Scholarships
We envision a Villa education that’s accessible to all inspired to grow here. From the classroom to the stage to the playing field, help us realize that vision by supporting Villa Maria College scholarship programs.
Estate Giving
From charitable trusts and gift annuity trusts to life insurance and outright bequests, there are powerful ways to make a gift to Villa part of your estate planning.
Annual Campaign
Yearly contributions help us strategically invest and build strength in whatever areas need it most.
If you have creative ideas for new ways to invest in the Villa experience, we welcome support of every kind. To make a gift, get in touch with the Villa Maria College Development Office at 716-961-1823.
In the Words of an Alum.
“Villa Maria College helped me grow into the person I’ve always wanted to be. The school welcomed me, the faculty motivated me, and the friends I’ve made have encouraged and supported me. I never thought a college could shape a person as much as Villa has shaped me and I am so proud to be a Villa Viking.”
— Ashton Barrie ‘20, Spirit Award Winner
In the Words of an Alum.
“I was initially attracted to Villa Maria’s academic program offering. At the time that I decided to go back to college, there weren’t a ton of colleges/universities offering people like myself – married, with kids, and working — the opportunity to obtain a graphic design degree. The small class sizes, along with having access to extremely talented professors contributed to my success as a designer. There’s absolutely nothing like learning from talented educators that have real life work experience AND care about your success. Professors Grizanti and Zack had such an impact on me during my time at Villa. They did a great job teaching my classmates and myself about what it would take to be a successful graphic designer with a career. Villa has developed a reputation for having one of the top graphic design programs in the city, and that fact played a role in me securing an amazing internship, thus beginning my career.”
— Carl Hunley, ‘15, Digital and Graphic Designer
In the Words of an Alum.
“My time at Villa was so valuable to me as a young person. I transferred to Villa from the University at Buffalo and found the small class setting and close relationships with professors, as well as the entire staff, to be something I brought forward with me into the next phase of my academic career and then to my professional career. Quality relationships are at the heart of my success and learning to generate those relationships was born out of my time at Villa. Villa gave me my first taste of social sciences, and the power of relating with and understanding my fellow humans. This set the stage for me to go out on a limb to create what I needed in terms of my career.”
— Joy Kuebler, ‘94, Interior Designer
In the Words of an Alum.
“Villa Maria College has had a major impact on my life. Prior to getting accepted into the PTA program I was unsure what career path I wanted to take. I always loved helping people and was into health and wellness. Once I started, I fell in love. After graduation, I was working at an orthopedic clinic when my life took a drastic turn. A workplace accident left me paralyzed, a quadriplegic. My Villa education helped facilitate my recovery. It provided me with so much knowledge that I was able to use countless times to know what I needed to help myself get better. It is not often that the therapist becomes the patient, but I’m glad I had the tools and skills needed to advocate for my own recovery. Now, almost 20 years after graduation, I’m doing things I never thought possible.”
— Natalie Barnhard, ’02, Founder of the Motion Project Foundation
In the Words of an Alum.
“To say Villa changed my life would be an understatement. It was a major transformative experience that put me on the path I am on now. Villa gave me the chance to learn animation, while still staying local. My professors always encouraged me when I needed it; going above and beyond to teach me all of the essentials I’d need in the field. This led me to get an internship, which allowed me to gain even more knowledge before I graduated. My time at Villa left me with a lifelong sense of community, and shaped me into the person I am today.”
— Kali Croisdale, ‘19, Video Editor
In the Words of an Alum.
“I had a ton of preconceived notions about going to college…I’m not going to fit in, I don’t belong here…I was nervous. I actually stormed out of a classroom during an English 101 class. My professor followed me, even though we were in the middle of class. That’s when I realized I truly wasn’t just a number, but part of an inclusive community that cared about me, supported me, and saw things in me that I hadn’t seen in myself. The faculty at Villa saw my potential and worked tirelessly to build me up and help mold me not only as a student, but as a person. What I had labeled as a strictly academic, scholastic environment quickly revealed itself to be familial.”
— Phil Lee, ‘08, Attorney
Development Office.
