2024 Honors Leaders Retreat
Whispering Pines Camp in Franklinville, NY
Meet Our Honors Leaders

Noah Adams (he/him)
Hi everyone! My name is Noah Adams and I am from Rochester, New York. Currently at Buffalo State University, I am in my graduate program for Criminal Justice. I’m deeply grateful for the array of opportunities afforded by the Muriel A. Howard Honors Program, and I’m eagerly looking forward to meeting all of you this fall!

Cadence Aguilar (they/them)
Hi! My name is Cadence (or Cade for short), I was born and mostly raised in Buffalo! I am a Senior Social Work major finishing my microcredential in Communication Strategies for the Deaf. I'm on the eboard of Buff State eSports (I love games) and I recently studied abroad with the Anne Frank Project. I'm a part of the Social Justice Book Club and Queer Students United. I like to weightlift, I like anime, I like many things!!! I am so excited to get to know all of you and help you through your first semester!

Eric Barron (he/him)
Hey guys! My names Eric and I am from NYC. I will be a sophomore and mechanical engineering major in fall 2025. My favorite thing to do is take pictures with my Polaroid. Raising Canes is the best creation ever (I hope they bring one to Buffalo). I’m excited to help you guys through your freshman year journey.

Brookelynn Bender (she/her)
Hi, I'm Brooke my pronouns are she/her/hers and my birthday is in September. I love to read, go camping, and go swimming. I'm a social work major and want to work in a school. I'm from Buffalo and I love the Bills and Sabres and I'm sure everyone that you meet in Buffalo will too.

Max Blum (he/him)
Hi, my name is Max, I’m a senior in the Social Work department, I’m looking forward to meeting and working with everyone in the upcoming fall semester! Besides being a member of the Honors Program, I also have a minor in Art Therapy and I’m working on a certificate in Child Advocacy Studies. Outside of school I enjoy hanging out with friends and family, spending time in Delaware park and creating art, especially collages. I’m native to Buffalo and would love to help you discover the city and see all it has to offer. See you in the fall!

Anna Borrelli (any pronouns)
Hello everyone! My name is Anna, and I am a Junior majoring in Art & Design with a Concentration in Product Design and Industrial Technology with a Concentration in Manufacturing. Additionally, I work at the Tech Hub, I'm a member of the Visual Arts Board, and I love attending weekly game nights at the Newman Center! Outside of school, I enjoy reading, writing, drawing and hanging out with friends! I am looking forward to meeting you and I cannot wait to help you succeed at Buffalo State!

Veronica Cohen (she/her)
Hello! My name is Veronica, I'm a Psychology major, with a minor in Art Therapy and a microcredential in ASL. In my free time, I love to read fantasy books, dance, listen to music and make bracelets. I’m proudly from Schenectady, New York, and I can't wait to meet you all!

Jamie Ervolina (she/her)
Hello Buffalo State Bengals! My name is Jamie Ervolina and I am a senior majoring in History with a minor in Psychology. Outside of academics, I love to read books, draw, play chess and go for long walks. I am super blessed to be returning as an Honors Leader for a third year in a row. The Honors Program is full of opportunities to get internships, make new friends, and overall, the best space for you to grow as a person. I hope you come to love the Honors Program just as much as I do!

Isabella Ferguson (she/her)
My name is Isabella! I am an Early Childhood and Childhood Education major and will be a sophomore this fall! My hometown is right by Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In my free time I like to explore Buffalo with friends, bake, and draw! I can't wait to get to know everyone this upcoming fall!!

Asher Freudenhammer-Glass (they/them)
Hi everyone! I'm Asher! I am a dual degree student majoring in both Art and Art History with a minor in Chemistry. I love to read, hike, and play Dungeons and Dragons. I am so excited for all the adventures this semester will bring and look forward to seeing everyone in the fall!

Sofika Hudak (she/her)
Hi! My name is Sofika Hudak; I am a fashion merchandising major. I am a sophomore, originally from Long Island. I was the Honors work-study last year and am excited to be a Leader this year! The Honors Program is an incredible community and support system. Outside of Honors, I enjoy anything to do with art, going on walks, and spending time with friends. I am very excited to meet everyone!!!

Zeinab Keita (she/her)
Hey y’all, my name is Zeinab and I am excited to meet you all. I am a junior, a Fashion and Textile Technology major, and I'm from Mali. In my free time I like to dance, draw, and research fashion history. I am also the President of Legacy Dance Team here on campus.

Josh Lundin (he/him)
Hi everyone! My name is Josh! I am currently majoring in Business Administration/ Management and am going to be a Junior this fall. I enjoy baking, hanging out with friends, listening to music, shopping, and exploring new places in my free time. I am super excited to meet everyone and look forward to helping you fit in and be successful as an Honors student!

Brianna Reid (she/her)
Hey everyone! I'm Bri. I am a Graphic Design major and I’m going to be a junior in Fall 2025. I love creating art in all forms whether it’s traditionally or digitally. I also have a strong passion for fashion, and to me every day is like a runway show. One interesting thing about me is that I grew up in Jamaica for 17 years. I’m looking forward to meeting you all and supporting you during this new journey :)

Jessie Ricotta (she/her)
Hi, everyone! My name is Jessie. I'm currently a senior who is majoring in Psychological Science and minoring in Philosophy. I also completed a Technical Writing Certificate. Outside of being a peer mentor, I'm also the President of Psychology Club on campus. I'm so excited to meet you all!

Calista Robillard (she/her)
Hello! I’m Calista and I am an Art Education major here at Buff State. In my free time I like to garden, cook, play games with friends, and pester my cat. I’m really looking forward to meeting you all, and I hope you have an amazing time in the Honors Program with us.

Abigail Rockcastle (she/her)
Hi, everyone! My name is Abigail Rockcastle, and I am from Perry, New York. I am currently a sophomore here at Buffalo State University studying interior design. Outside of my academics I love to read, go hiking, and play board games! I am so excited to meet you all and get to know each of you!!

Kevin Emmanuel Thompson (he/him)
Hey y’all! I’m a Junior and a double major in both Television & Film Arts and Writing! I am also the General Manager for the campus FM radio station, WBNY. I love collecting records, attending concerts, making movies, playing with puppets, drinking water, and pursuing ridiculous adventures in my free time. I’ve lived in Buffalo my whole life and love exploring as well. I am excited to meet all of you and make you feel welcome as well as set you up for success as an Honors student!

Glasha Zinenko (she/her)
Hey! I’m Glasha. I am a Philosophy major and the Bengals & Bikes president. I like forests, camping, spike ball, and swimming in lakes. Sometimes, I climb trees when no one’s looking.
At the start of my first semester at Buff State, I was freaking out. I thought I was never going to make friends. I even told this to someone in Honors… and then I had good friends in two weeks. It’s scary now, but it will get better. Welcome!