The Wehle Wire May 2025

The people, happenings and achievements of The Wehle Business School, Canisius University, Buffalo, New York.

ATTENTION EMPLOYERS: Both graduate and undergraduate students are in need of internships and special projects to broaden their skills. In some instances, funds are available to offset costs to employers. If you are interested or would like to discuss your needs and explore options, please email Jennifer Patrick, Director, [email protected]. She would be happy to discuss this with you.

MAKING CONNECTIONS

Connor Rosenecker, CFP, Advisor, Jensen, Marks, Langer & Vance

Like so many alum, Connor brings not just his talent but his whole-heartedness to The Wehle Business School.

Since graduating in 2018, he has parlayed his finance-economics, management and psychology degree into corporate finance (M&T) and private wealth management. Additionally, Connor acquired his CFP through Wehle’s Center for Professional Development.

Not one to sit by idly, Connor has remained very involved with The School. His service has included sitting on the Canisius’ Alumni Association Board (where he’s currently the second VP), the Young Alumni Leadership Society and the Business Advisory Council. He also volunteers for Wehle’s Leadership & Professional Development Program.

“I believe so strongly in the Wehle experience. As much as I’m a product of Jesuit Catholic values, Canisius should be most proud of its business programs. They are the engine of the school. Our finance program, the CFA Team, is one of the top in the world. Our accounting programs are in the top 10%. Our MBA, the top 20%. Analytics is emerging and our LPDP is making huge impacts on our students’ careers. These messages need to get out there.”

When asked about the future of Wehle, Connor is clear about what he envisions.

“Ultimately, a state-of-the-art campus, and in the near-term, one location for the Business School. We should consider having every single business student complete an internship in order to graduate. Like other schools, we should be offering a slate of industry certifications so students can be more competitive. Things like the CFP, project management, HR. There’s also some confusion around courses…let’s streamline those and get right down to essentials.”

Beyond these, Connor is quick to point out the importance of social-emotional development, ”We can’t forget the skills that enable managers to manage and leaders to lead. The number one skill I see is being able to absorb complex information, not react to it, distill it and communicate it in a way so your people can do what they do best.”

“There’s no waiting for the perfect solution. Put the building blocks in place and we will adapt and evolve as we need to.”

A WORD ABOUT NELSON CIVELLO

With the passing of Nelson Civello ’67, the Canisius and WNY community are acknowledging the loss we feel, his unwavering commitment and his many meaningful contributions. Nelson exemplified “where leaders are made”. His stewardship and drive on behalf of Canisius, especially his accomplishments in establishing the Golden Griffin Fund with Dr. Rick Wall and Financial Markets Lab, were notable among many. “A leader is someone who knows the way, shows the way and goes the way.” Nelson was all of these. We will be forever grateful for his leadership and will miss him dearly.

Masters students and graduates “on the move”

TAYLOR PACENZIA

Graduating in May, Taylor has balanced new motherhood, starting and completing her MBA and her work as Finance Manager in M&T Bank’s Controller’s Department.

“When I started my MBA, I didn’t think I’d be where I am. I wouldn’t be in this position if it weren’t for the MBA program and especially the LPD Program. The coaching gave me a lot of confidence and helped me understand what I’m capable of.”

With ten years at The Bank, Taylor started as a teller. “I worked my way up and after getting my accounting undergrad at Medaille, I entered controllership but took various positions in other areas of The Bank and finally landed my current role…which I love.”

While starting a family (two children under two), Taylor completed her degree in two and half years.

“My advice, especially if you’re a parent and working professional, is that the pain is worth it. Rely on the support systems to help you through it. They made all the difference for me.”

https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-pacenzia-38a50a107/

TERENCE “TJ” PORTER

Six-year NCAA DI athlete, TJ Porter, is graduating with his Master of Science in finance. “My Canisius undergrad was in strategic communications. With no business background, my professors quickly helped me understand financial markets and the tools I need to be successful.”

Analytically-minded, TJ stresses how much he enjoys being able to navigate, what he calls, the noise of the market”. “I love that I’m going to be doing what really interests me. I can’t wait to get started and find that intern or equity research, investment analyst job.”

“The thing I liked most about my experience was the LPD. I’d never done a resume, cover letter, interview or LinkedIn. Now I feel confident. I wouldn’t have stood a chance without the LPD and the availability of my career coach. They were there any time I needed them. We really had a genuine relationship. I hope to be a resource for the Program going forward.”

“I can’t say it enough but my master’s was the best experience of my college career.”

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tj-porter-7a1043312/

ROBERT STANISZEWSKI

Robert Staniszewski is off to law school having just completed his MBA (finance). Like many veterans, he brings a world of experience from being stationed in the Middle East, South America and South Africa. Upon discharge, he co-founded a San Diego start-up and returned home to Buffalo.

“Everyone I knew who went to Canisius were so happy with their experience. It feels like a family here. Everyone really cares. I can’t think of one professor that didn’t go above-and-beyond. When they sense you’re struggling or don’t understand, they take a let’s-figure-it-out-now approach. I loved that.”

As for his next career, Robert plans to be an environmental lawyer. “I’ve experienced a few colleges and there’s nothing quite like the LPD. Once again it shows that Canisius cares. People go to no ends to help you. If I was coming from my undergrad, I would have really needed the LPD curriculum. I can’t say enough how it guides you. Everything about it. Even talking points for interviews…no one does that. I wish I had done my undergrad here.”

https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-staniszewski-973541124/

Faculty Feature

Dr. Jim Goldstein, Professor of Accounting, Accounting Systems & Analytics

For the last sixteen years, Jim Goldstein has parlayed his 12 years’ finance and controllership experience in banking in the Wehle School. He teaches financial and cost accounting, accounting systems and analytics and is the faculty director for the Master of Business Analytics Program.
“I find teaching to be the most rewarding career I’ve ever had. I enjoy teaching young adults and find it very satisfying, especially the mentorship.”

Jim started his career with Price Waterhouse in New York City in financial services auditing. From there he was five years for Lehman Bros in their corporate controllers’ office. “That was very interesting and demanding work, “ he adds.

Amidst this experience, and three years in finance-risk management at M&T Bank, he acquired his MBA at NYU’s Stern School of Business (economics-finance); his PhD at Syracuse University in management information systems (MIS) and supply chain management; and his CPA.

Not one to sit on his laurels, Jim represents Wehle in the WNY business community as well. Since 2014, he has delivered accounting and risk training to M&T Bank employees. He’s also been a member of the university’s faculty Senate for four years.

But it’s not all work and no play for Jim. Both in the classroom and with clients, he’s known for his sense of humor, earning him the moniker from his students as “Dr. G”.

As for the Wehle Business School, Jim shares his hope for the future.

“I hope we continue to provide an excellent education to our students because we train them for today’s marketplace. No matter the advances of technology, accounting and analytics will remain important for business. Critical thinking, an ability to recognize and formulate a problem (and solve it) and the ability to interpret it from a strategic standpoint have never been more important. These are skills our students to develop and demonstrate.”

As for the business school itself, Jim is positive. “We have a fantastic opportunity here to evolve and grow.”

Undergraduate Pursuits

KELLY CROUS

Finance-accounting double major. Finance-accounting intern, Agoro Carbon Alliance. NCAA DI women’s swim and dive team. Junior rep on the Accounting Society.

My goal is to acquire my CPA and begin my career in public accounting.

[email protected]

AIDAN HART

Finance major, Spanish minor. Wealth Management Intern, Dopkins & Co. Tutor in finance, economics, accounting and Spanish.

My goal is to acquire my CFP and build my own book of business as a wealth management advisor.

[email protected]

DESTINY GOREE

Dual accounting-finance major, MBA accounting program. Accounting Intern, Delaware North (Highmark Stadium). Accounting tutor and Becker Campus Ambassador.

My goal is to acquire my CPA and begin a career in accounting.

[email protected]

Career readiness that makes a difference.

Mia Zielinski, Inventory Manager, High Tide Dispensary

In this section, we usually feature a graduated, master’s student but have decided instead to introduce you to Mia Zielinski, who began her MBA and LPD this semester.

To understand Mia, is to understand how we met. The LPD and all three of its courses are launched on Saturdays in a 5-hour class. The two-hour lecture, employer panel and lunch are a great way for students to understand grad-LPD expectations, connect with peers and speak personally with employers.

It was at our January BUS601 launch that we met Mia. She approached us and said with a shrug-laugh, “I have no idea what to do with my anthropology degree.” She was so endearing that we laughed along with her while reassuring that all would be well.

Mia’s journey is not unlike most young professionals starting out, hoping to find their way through the graduate experience. Wehle recognized this which is why the LPD was created. Students receive three hours of career coaching plus instruction for a 25-hour certificate.

With some inventory-sustainability contractual experience, Mia chose to concentrate in global supply chain management.

“I couldn’t believe how much we accomplished that first coaching session,” Mia says. “In that one-hour I finally understood my skills, what I could offer employers. I mean my skills and experience are really suited to global supply chain. The difference in my confidence and my resume before and after our time together was crazy.”

Positive and energetic, Mia has also taken advantage of extra coaching while applying for internships. “The LPD is really empowering me. As I work my way through it, I’m learning more about myself while getting the skills and knowledge from my courses. I’m loving it.”

You can hear more from Mia below. She currently works part-time as an inventory manager for her family’s Lancaster business, High Tide Dispensary.

Connect on LinkedIn

The Wehle Business School is AACSB accredited, a gold standard achieved by fewer than 5% of business schools worldwide.

Dr. Shawn O’Rourke, Dean

View LinkedIn

Questions or Comments?

Contact Jennifer Patrick (MBA 2000), Wehle Director of Executive Education & Leadership and the LPDP ([email protected], 716-888-8494).