Elected USA Vice President of Business and Finance 2025-2026

By: Katie Dusza, Contributor

In a special election for the United Students Association (USA), students elected current freshman Bella Peters to serve as the 2025-2026 academic year’s USA Vice President of Business and Finance (VPBF). 

The VPBF serves as the chief business officer, creates and maintains the capital budget and serves as the chair of and oversees the finance board. 

VPBF elect Bella Peters is double majoring in finance and accounting as a part of the university’s All-College Honors Program. She is also studying in the accelerated accounting program. 

Peters was inspired to run by USA’s efforts to advocate for students. Upon her election, Peters says, “The United Students Association does advocate for the students, and I feel like that is very important. I can make a difference in a specific niche area that I'm going to specialize in.”

Peters was also driven by the hope that she could make a difference in the lives of Canisius students: “I always knew that I wanted to get involved, but I feel like that is a really good leadership opportunity, because I love being able to help out, honestly, in any way I can.  That was probably the best position I could go for to help the most amount of people, because I'm able to then advocate and help out the entire student body.”

Peters is also very community-involved. She is currently a board member for the Orchard Park High School Academy of Finance, offering mentorship to OPHS students who wish to pursue a career in finance. She is also involved in the Canisius Accounting Society, a recently inducted member of Alpha Kappa Psi and is part of other clubs on campus. 

According to Peters, her biggest goal in the role of VPBF is to “make sure that students get the funding that they need and deserve to further their goals and dreams within the clubs and organizations.” 

Peters will begin fulfilling her duties as VPBF next academic year.