Testimonials

Student Testimonials

Many graduates of St. Bonaventure’s online master’s programs are sounding off on their experiences, skills learned and the overall impact the master’s degree has had on their personal as well as professional lives.

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Testimonials

Sports Journalism

Some of the best opportunities I’ve had in my career have been through St. Bonaventure. The baseline of accuracy, fairness, thoroughness—those stay with me every day. They are the elements of my process I do every day on the job.

- Adrian Wojnarowski
NBA Senior Insider, ESPN
Class of 1991

adrian wojnarowski
These journalism programs are grounded firmly in the real world and have a close eye on continued evolution for both the programs and the students in them. Talented alumni at the top of their fields contributed to an equally talented and dedicated faculty to ensure the right mix of academia and real-world applications.

- Chris LaPlaca
Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications
ESPN

chris laplaca
Sports journalism, like all journalism, relies on the fundamental skills of developing sources, writing or broadcasting engaging stories based on a wealth of reporting. In the SBU sports master's programs, those key areas will be addressed and highlighted.

- Donna Ditota
Sportswriter
The Post-Standard

donna ditota
I can honestly say that enrolling in this program is one of the best decisions I have ever made. St. Bonaventure allows you to work with their sports teams so that you can become an experienced and knowledgeable journalist. I even had the opportunity to work as an assistant producer in a television truck at the 2022 U.S. Open Golf Championship.

- Jack Milko
MA in Sports Journalism
Current Student

Jack Milko Headshot
The masterclass helped me better understand what the journalism world is really like. I learned a great deal from every speaker and will use this knowledge in my career decisions moving forward. It exceeded my expectations. 

- Jackson Sperau
MA in Sports Journalism
Current Student

Jackson Sperau
The greatest part of the academic experience was the preponderance of professors who weren’t content merely saying they cared, but showed it.

- Michael Vaccaro
Lead Sports Columnist
New York Post

michael vaccaro
It's exciting to see the new Sports Journalism master's program being offered at SBU. It’s a rapidly changing business, but with the advancements in technology and evolution of digital media, there are more job opportunities than ever. Some of the nation’s best sports journalists have come through the Jandoli School, so I am proud to see SBU’s commitment to advancing its learning opportunities.

- Rayna Banks
Senior Managing Producer
ESPN

rayna banks
The Journalism masterclass led by alumni taught me that the classes thus far are making each of us more balanced in our skills and approaches. It's also clear how St. Bonaventure alumni care about each other even after the years in the academic setting have long passed by.

- Rob Tiongson
MA in Sports Journalism
Current Student

Rob Tiongson
My greatest mentors come from SBU. I could reach out to a professor at any time and ask if I was making the right choice or presenting myself in the right way. I am mostly grateful for being pushed constantly to better myself by many professors.

- Shannon Shepherd
Previous Buffalo Bills beat reporter
Sports Illustrated

shannon shepherd
The journalism masterclass exceeded my expectations. It was great to hear the alumni answer all the questions about the field. It is one thing to read about the industry in a textbook, but it is another to hear from people who have had successful careers in the field. 

- Zach Reger
MA in Sports Journalism
Current Student

Zach Reger

School Counseling

I have learned so many valuable skills especially in the internship and the feedback I have received there. I was able to learn so much from my professors and classmates that have made me better and taught me different perspectives on how to approach situations. The courses and professors are all great. You can tell that the school and the faculty really care.

- Amanda Baron
MSED School Counseling
Current Student

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The faculty in the program have extensive knowledge and experience. They all make sure to foster a supportive online learning environment. The coursework in each class has not only been reasonable to balance with life demands but it also allows us to reflect on our own unique life experiences. When everyone comes together to share their thoughts and experiences, it allows for a diverse learning environment.

- Erin Weeks
MSED School Counseling
Current Student

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I have been able to apply some skills learned in my teaching career as I am in a demographic of students who need support on a daily basis. I find myself using skills every day sometimes without even knowing it until after. I like that we go through the program together and are able to lean on one another for peer support, make connections, and faculty are very respectable, helpful, and supportive as well.

- Kathryn Albro
St. Lucie Elementary
Third Grade Teacher

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I chose St. Bonaventure because it was affordable, accredited, had lots of positive reviews and a Christian background. The faculty is heavily supportive and always available to meet and assist with needs, concerns, and questions. I would absolutely recommend this program, this has been a great experience.

- Kathryn Wassong
C2 Education
Education Coordinator

Kathryn Wassong Headshot

Clinical Mental Health Counseling

SBU has a great reputation as an institution and the online counseling program offered me the opportunity to work while taking classes. The tuition was also very reasonable. The faculty are knowledgeable and take the time to help the students out. It's a great program with a lot of support. The coursework is also excellent, and I feel that I'm gaining a lot of real-world experience.

- Andrew Austin
MSED Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Current Student

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I chose SBU because it was the only school with a degree that suited my future plans. I wanted an MSED in CMHC, and doing it online was very convenient. I also appreciated how the courses were designed, allowing me to connect with classmates. I had such a great experience.  

- Bernie Crowl
Bryant Park Therapy
Psychotherapist LP

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I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the amount of interaction and support I’ve received from the faculty and staff. My student success coach is always supportive, knowledgeable and timely while clearly enjoying what she does, and the faculty truly help to build a sense of community and connectivity.

- Cassandra Harris-Towner
MSED Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Current Student

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I would absolutely recommend SBU to someone considering getting their degree in clinical mental health counseling because although the program is remote, everybody makes an effort to get to know each other on a human level. The support from faculty and my student support advisor has been phenomenal.

- Dana Martin
MSED Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Current Student

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I work in a change management role in financial services. Being equipped with counseling skills has allowed me to lead more effective discussions about upcoming changes and helped people adjust to change and understand their own barriers to change. The faculty support has been strong - many students are balancing complex lives while studying.

- Erika Gullo
MSED Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Current Student

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I have learned so many great counseling skills at St. Bonaventure and so far, I have been able to apply most of what I am learning in my job as a psychosocial rehabilitation skills trainer. I can apply my skills in listening, counseling with an understanding of theories, and I have a better understanding of many mental disorders. I have been excelling at my job because of these skills and I am thankful to have this knowledge.

- Frank Yarbrough
MSED Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Current Student

Frank Yarbrough Headshot
The coursework is presented in such a clear way, that it was not hard to stay on top of my work. The faculty are so supportive and are always there to help and answer any questions that we may have. I know graduate students can get easily worried about things, and the faculty did a great job of maintaining equilibrium among the students.

- Japriest Quentez Jerry
Lakeside Behavioral Health System
Mental Health Technician

Japriest Quentez Jerry Headshot
The classes and materials used are phenomenal. I have learned so much about counseling and have gained hands-on experience conducting counseling. Specifically, group, theories, and career counseling afforded these experiences and they really helped. The group course was literally life-changing for me. I was wowed at the end of the course and have never experienced this before. There is also support when needed and help with navigating classes etc.

- Joseline Rodriguez
CancerCare Inc.
Co-Payment Specialist Certified Patient Navigator

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Not only is St. Bonaventure ranked highly by US News and World Report, but the student success data for the counseling education program are some of the most impressive I noted during my school search. Only having to take one class at a time is ingenious; there are no knowledge deficits going into courses, so I rarely have to double back and connect the dots between concepts. It also saves a ton of anxiety knowing that SBU will assist me with my practicum and internship placements-no other universities I considered do that.

- Justin Coffey
MSED Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Current Student

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The support you receive from faculty is out of this world. I never knew that kind of help was out there! I like that my professors not only teach but are required to work out in the field as well. I would recommend SBU to anyone looking to earn a Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

- Karly Elizabeth Fritsch
MSED Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Current Student

Karly Elizabeth Fritsch Headshot
I would absolutely recommend this program because it has been convenient, flexible, and given me opportunities and unwavering support. Learning techniques from the clinical mental health counseling program has taught me how to communicate in various settings effectively. My professional and personal relationships have only improved with learning new skills to help others.

- Kayla Newkirk
MSED Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Current Student

Kayla Newkirk
St. Bonaventure has given me ample opportunity to form a community with my professors and peers. If I have a question, I have a network of people whom I can reach out to and whom I trust. The professors are top-notch, and I receive all of the individualized attention that I could ever want from a program, despite it being online.

- Laura Klain
Certified Life Coach
Bud to Blossom Life Design

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I LOVE attending SBU for the Online MSED Counseling program because everyone from the enrollment staff to faculty members make you feel like family. You will receive outstanding support and guidance from the placement office, where they will find your internship sites so you can focus on your coursework.

- Maria Cabanit
MSED Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Current Student

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The coursework in my program is very updated and pertains to changes in the world in the future, which I find very important since that is the world that I will be working in. I would recommend St. Bonaventure University to someone who is considering this program because the level of support and the quality of education is unmatched compared to other universities offering competing programs.

- Tori Tomlin
MSED Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Current Student

Tori Tomlin Headshot

Digital Journalism

I believe the real-world application stands out the most. Having the ability to learn from professors and countless Bonnie alums who have excelled in journalism and broadcasting has been worthwhile.

- Ben Blakely
MA in Digital Journalism
Current Student

Ben Blakely
At Bona’s, I learned much more than the mere nuts and bolts of everyday journalism. I learned how to listen to the unheard, how to see the invisible among us, how to recognize the dignity in all.

- Dan Barry
New York Times Columnist
Pulitzer Prize-winner

Dan Barry Headshot
St. Bonaventure is a special place that nurtures and develops a student's whole self, and not just their career skills. There are a lot of places where one can prepare for a career, but St. Bonaventure is uniquely positioned to develop students who are then prepared to both do well and do good in the world.

- Eric Fisher
US Editor
SportBusiness

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The most important characteristic in this industry is experience. There is no place better suited to give you the experience needed than right here at Bonaventure. Real world applications in an environment of encouragement is critical to hone your skills for the future.

- Justin Craig
Senior Director of Audio
ESPN

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Not only will the program set you up for success, but you'll have access to an alumni base that will actually talk to you. Being a small school has its perks.

- Stephon Johnson
Staff Writer
New York Amsterdam News

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MBA

St. Bonaventure’s MBA program is incredible. Not only is the structure of the program accommodating for the working professional, but the class sizes allow for both one-on-one interaction as well as group participation. Because of my experience at St. Bonaventure, I have a much better understanding of the ins and outs of a business, what truly makes a business successful and where I see myself in the future. SBU was the perfect fit for me.

- Christy A. Williams
Key Account Manager at Founders Brewing Co.
Master of Business Administration

christy williams
I have had many wonderful outcomes from my online MBA at SBU: I was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma, which introduced me to an international network of business professionals for future career opportunities; I gained the necessary confidence I previously lacked to advance my career in the financial services industry; and, I have been granted job offers from several corporations who are aware of the excellent career preparation SBU’s business school has to offer.

- Marcus Jones
Certified Personal Banker
Five Star Bank

marcus jones
My decision to pursue an MBA at St. Bonaventure University is one I will be forever grateful for and is one I recommend to anyone considering a graduate program. Some key benefits offered are the flexible class schedule, range of electives to peak your specific field of interest, and tight-knit class sizes that allowed an in-depth discussion to be had with peers and each professor. The communication and interpersonal skills gained in this environment are invaluable.

- Mike Iulianello
Mondelēz International
Master of Business Administration

mike iulianello
I chose St. Bonaventure's online graduate program because it is a very convenient way to get your master’s degree while working full-time. The most challenging part is balancing school and work, but to navigate that I make weekly assignment schedules.

- Sierra Michaels
New Era

Sierra Michaels
The formation of my business took place while I was enrolled in the MBA program, so every class was applicable to something I needed to know. My MBA concentration was in marketing, and the marketing courses really helped me to establish my company’s brand and build a reputation in the community. Even after two years in business, I use marketing metrics and client feedback every day to better understand my target market and how to reach them.

- Theodora Turner
Founder and Owner
Anchor Advisors

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Cybersecurity

SBU offered everything I was looking for: accreditation, a great course content outline and hands-on experience. Students stay on top of the latest technology trends within cybersecurity, and the instructors provide great articles to complement course material. I was able to keep working while preparing myself for a career change.

- Cristian Alvarez
MS in Cybersecurity
Current Student

Christian Alvarez
The faculty is what stood out for me. They are very helpful and supportive. Cost and syllabus drew me to the program, and I've already been able to apply the Leaned Ethical Hacking methods at work.

- Mayur
MS in Cybersecurity
Current Student

Mayur
I certainly could have done self-study and pursued a certification in one or more of the cybersecurity disciplines, but one of the components of education that I really value is interaction. I learn more when I talk with other people and share experiences, and the instructors at SBU have emphasized interaction. That's the type of experience I wanted – to learn and form professional relationships.

- Scott Russell
Director of Customer Support
Panasas

scott russell
St. Bonaventure's Cybersecurity master's program content is perfect for providing the necessary knowledge base for a security leader. The instructors are very knowledgeable and were outstanding in reassuring me, checking up on me and guiding me along the way. It is more of a family feeling than just a school.

- Shawn Ellis
Information System Security Officer
Thales Defense and Security Canada

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Business Analytics

SBU's MSBA program allowed me to choose my concentration and develop the skills I was interested in. Faculty members have worked at well-known companies, are published authors and overall have a breadth of professional and academic experience, which I had not encountered at previous institutions. My student support advisor was invaluable, which allowed me to focus entirely on my academic performance. I learned a plethora of new technical skills, which I could utilize immediately. I haven't even received my diploma and already have a new job!

- Megan Drewer
MS in Business Analytics
Current Student

Megan Drewer