Shantina Addison, assistant director of graduate and transfer admissions at Daemen, has been chosen as one of Buffalo Business First’s 30 Under 30 honorees for 2022.
She was selected for the honor, along with 29 other young professionals, out of nearly 150 nominees.
Honorees were chosen based on many factors, including career achievements, leadership, community involvement, as well as their potential to become successful leaders in their community.
Addison will be honored for her professional success and community involvement at a celebration event put on by Business First on April 21 at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo.
Addison described making the 30 Under 30 list as “surreal.”
“This honor is a testament to believing in yourself and knowing you can achieve what you set your mind to,” she said. “This recognition has motivated me to reach even higher and strive for further success in my future.”
A fast rise
Addison holds a bachelor of science in communications from Medaille College and has worked in higher education since 2017.
After working as an administrative assistant in the Continuing Education Division at Bryant & Stratton College, she was promoted within her first three months of employment to administrative assistant to the operations manager.
In 2019, Addison joined Daemen as a graduate admission counselor in the Enrollment Management Department and within her first year in her new role she was promoted to assistant director of graduate admissions.
Despite the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, Addison was critical in bringing in the largest graduate class in the 75-year history of Daemen College.
In 2021, she graduated with her MBA from Daemen – and was promoted again in her department, assuming the role of assistant director of graduate and transfer admissions.
Addison is responsible for managing the application process for Daemen’s graduate, transfer and online programs, as well as that of the college’s Brooklyn, New York-branch campus.
She recently also became the liaison for Daemen’s graduate community partnerships, which include relationships with the Amherst Chamber of Commerce, Buffalo Niagara 360 and others.
A constant in the community
Since 2014, Addison has worked as the executive administrative assistant for Bright Morning Star Baptist Church, of which she and her family are members.
During the onset of the pandemic, she orchestrated the implementation of offering online services, vamping up the church’s virtual presence and allowing people to view or listen to services safely from their homes.
Addison is also currently channeling her passion for writing with her blog, Greather, which she launched on Feb. 15 of this year. Its purpose is to help young women understand they can go from “good” to “greater” – and become a “Greather” – someone who is working to become the best versions of herself.
“I recognize the importance of having representation in leadership roles and I hope to educate young people about the opportunities available to them,” said Addison. “I look forward to building my Greather brand and hope to publish a self help book as well as create an online hub for young women to be matched with mentors, receive help with resume building, and gain other opportunities to help them in their professional journey.”