Luis "Steven" Maisonet
Social Work, M.S. (University at Buffalo, 2019)
Social Work, B.S. (2018)
Employment: Psychotherapist, Perennial Wellness Counseling Center; Counselor, Canisius University Counseling Center;
Lecturer, Buffalo State University Social Work Department
Steven Maisonet initially had no interest or expectation that he would enter higher education. With the help and encouragement of school counselors and educators, however, he found himself applying to colleges as a first-generation student. Maisonet ended up at Buffalo State almost by accident.
“I did not fully understand what I was submitting and accidentally applied to graduate programs, which led to several rejections. Buffalo State was one of the few applications I completed correctly, and I was accepted!” he shared. “BSU was integral to my growth and development. I’m someone who was not given much context about higher education at home but found myself truly enjoying my four years on campus.”
Maisonet originally planned to become an elementary school teacher specializing in Spanish. After failing a math course, however, he was advised that he would most likely struggle in the major if he didn’t pass this required course. He grew discouraged but, thanks to the encouragement of a fellow student who worked with him in the campus library he decided to pursue social work.
Steven also found himself often attending campus events that offered free food, which became a way to meet new people while also fulfilling a basic need. He enjoyed many on campus activities and events such as carnivals and spontaneous karaoke moments in the library, which he found incredibly memorable.
“In hindsight and now understanding the realities of food insecurity on college campuses, I see how impactful those opportunities were to my success as a student. Buffalo State is more than a school to me. It was a safe place I could call home.”
Maisonet currently holds three positions. He is a psychotherapist at Perennial Wellness Counseling Center, a counselor at Canisius University Counseling Center, and a lecturer in the Buffalo State University Social Work Department. As a student, his professors were integral to his growth and development and now, having come full circle to becoming a lecturer, he can give back to the community that shapes and supports the next generation of social workers.
“I still stay in touch with many of my peers and continue to celebrate their successes as they celebrate mine.”
Steven deeply cares about people, which is shown through his work and in his drive to help others. As a student, he often felt pressured to move quickly through college, which at times limited his ability to fully appreciate the journey. Every day he meets individuals at different stages of life and works with them to build awareness and recognition of the lessons available in everyday experiences.
“The reality of my path has been shaped by the connections I have made. I sometimes felt overlooked and found myself placing blame on systems and circumstances. However, I have come to realize that those thoughts prevented me from recognizing how much I had actually achieved. While challenges are inevitable, I believe we have a choice: we can allow those challenges to weigh us down, or we can carry them with us until we reach a place where we can process and release them. Our lived experiences do not just shape us—they guide us toward becoming.”
posted September 10, 2026 by Jennifer Segura-Lopez, SEP Graduate Assistant