Graduate-level students in Colombia will have the unique opportunity to earn a master’s degree in global business from both Daemen College and Ceipa University in Sabaneta through a new academic partnership between the two institutions.

A Memorandum of Agreement for this international collaboration, which is the first of its kind Daemen has established with a Colombian university, was formally signed June 5 by Dr. Michael Brogan, vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college, who represented Daemen President Gary A. Olson, and Diego Mauricio Mazo Cuervo, dean of Ceipa University.

Dr. Isiah Marshall, associate professor and master of social work program director at Daemen College, has been selected as a Health Leadership Fellow by the Health Foundation for Western and Central New York.

The 18-month program is designed to expand the network of highly collaborative and skilled leaders who will serve as advocates to improve the health and well-being of the frail elderly and children from communities of poverty throughout the region.

As a Health Leadership Fellow, Marshall will participate in sessions on personal leadership, leading change, communicating as a leader, results-based leadership, and collaboration. He will also attend two- to three-day retreats led by experts in the field, take part in an inter-organizational team project, and receive executive coaching.

A Cheektowaga Central High School graduate has sung her way to the top of an international songwriting competition.

Lisa Racki Barrett, who graduated in 1986, was voted Female Artist of the Year in the 2013 Clays Country Music Awards, which was sponsored by Clays Country Radio, after her music was featured for several months and listeners casted their votes online.

While her music continues to be aired by the station, Barrett also will receive a trophy for her accomplishment. She also has been asked by Clays' newly crowned Songwriter of the Year, JT Hollis, to record a duet with him in the near future.