Gresham/Staley Student Fund

Two CSTEP mentors holding a scholarship check bearing their names.

Mary Gresham and John Staley, CSTEP 30th Anniversary Gala, 2017.

Due to the generosity of alumni, staff, supporters and stakeholders CSTEP is able to provide student funding for research and scholarships. The fund is named in honor of Dr. Mary Gresham and Dr. John Staley who collectively contributed over 50 years towards equity and access on the University of Buffalo campus.

Did you know?

CSTEP is proud to have selected 95 receipients over the past 15 years, totalling nearly $50,000. The Gresham/Staley Fund is offered for talented CSTEP students who exemplify a commitment to excellence in both their academics and the community. 

This annual funding is given to CSTEP undergraduate students and UB graduate/professional school students who are continuing or returning as CSTEP alummi.  These recipients exemplify a dedication to academic excellence, civic engagement and involvement in CSTEP and the greater Buffalo community. 

Open to continuining CSTEP undergraduates and graduates at the University at Buffalo.  Each year we select multiple receipients for $500 awards which fund research, scholarships and other related activities.

Applications open in March and recipients are announced each May during the CSTEP Student Recognition Celebration on Friday, May 2, 2025. 

To apply, visit our UBLinked page, and sign-in to complete the CSTEP Gresham/Staley Excellence Application.

Applications NOW OPEN!

Application Deadline:  Friday, April 18, 2025

Scholarship Criteria:

  • Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better
  • Must show a commitment towards community service
  • Must submit one (1) letter of recommendation
  • Must submit a 1-page essay on the importance of access and opportunity programs in higher education 

2024 Recipients

  • Djaliatou Barry
  • Chigozie Eke
  • Luis Galarza
  • Fatou Gueye
  • Aisha Makama
  • Taona Maphosa
  • Rafael Ortiz
  • Sebastian Pardo
  • Tyshawn Searight
  • Ariana Smalls

2023 Recipients

  • Chidera Anameze
  • Chidalu Anameze
  • Kwaku Bonsu
  • Muhsinah Howlader
  • Riess Lessey
  • Trinity Martin
  • Teara Robinson
  • Danny Ruano
  • Aliaya Williams

2022 Recipients

  • Chidera Anameze
  • Chidalu Anameze
  • Iyobosa Ekhathor
  • Lance Hill
  • Amarachi Kanu
  • Ngowari Opuso-Jama

2021 Recipients

  • Jennifer Ansong
  • Mirka Arevalo
  • Taylor Campbell
  • Heather Evangelista
  • Shawn Gibson
  • Sasha Joseph 
  • Tamijah Lawton-Stone
  • Neneyo Mate-Kole
  • Mohsen Mohsen
  • Shelbi Molin
  • Jenny Moya
  • Ugonna Okafor
  • Gloria Opuni
  • Elijah Panayoty
  • Rasheen Powell II
  • Elizabeth Quaye
  • Zakiya Rhodie
  • Tasnim Tarannum 
  • Denique Tulloch

2020 Recipients

  • Abdulelah Ahmed
  • Gerardo Barrera Giron
  • Taylor Campbell
  • Temara Cross
  • Elsa Diaw
  • Heather Evangelista
  • Allea Frazier
  • Arsh Issany
  • Charles LaFargue
  • Tamijah Lawton-Stone 
  • Julius Mark
  • Maisha Rahman
  • Autumn Tonnesen
  • Aliaya Williams 

2019 Recipients

  • Winifred Adu Anane
  • Anna Kay Adamson
  • Temara Cross
  • Jessica Maxwell
  • Keiona Nance
  • William Phillips

2018 Recipients

  • Marcus Ashford
  • Terrika Pereira
  • Elizabeth Quaye
  • Ashley Solomon

2017 Recipients

  • Ali Al Garaghuli
  • Dominique Hickson
  • Jalisa Kelly
  • Aaron Nimako
  • Elizabeth Quaye
  • Diamile Tavarez
  • Deja Thompson
  • Zakiyah Rhodie
  • I’Yanna Scott