Welcome back to the Legacy Family Spotlight, a monthly feature celebrating families whose Siena stories span generations and whose connections to green and gold continue long after graduation. For the Cassidy–Collins family, Siena is more than a shared alma mater. It is where friendships turned into family, memories became traditions, and the Siena spirit continues to bring them together through every stage of life.
The Siena legacy begins with Kelly (Collins) Webster '04, Erin Cassidy '03, and Katie Collins '12, whose individual journeys at Siena became deeply intertwined. What started as friendships formed on campus evolved into lifelong bonds that now connect siblings, spouses, and children, all rooted in their shared Siena experience.
For this family, Siena’s importance lies in the memories that never fade. Stories retold countless times still spark laughter, as vivid as when they first happened. Those memories have taken on new meaning as they now return together for alumni events and Siena basketball games, sharing that same magic with their children and allowing a new generation to create their own Siena moments. No matter how busy life becomes, Siena remains a constant that reconnects them, reminding them of their shared values and experiences.
One of the family’s favorite stories begins during Kelly’s junior year and Erin’s senior year at Siena, when Kelly decided Erin had to meet her brother, Patrick. When Patrick visited campus one weekend, he joined the group for a typical Friday night that ended at Dapp’s. Erin was… unconvinced. The next morning, Kelly made her case for a second chance. Patrick returned to the townhouses the following weekend, this time a little more low-key, and that visit proved to be the one that mattered. Years later, Erin and Patrick are happily married, raising two children alongside Kelly, whose own children are similar ages. Because of this, Katie had known Erin long before Patrick truly did, first meeting her at Siena gatherings when she was just twelve years old.
Each family member’s Siena experience was shaped by meaningful involvement and influential mentors. Erin was active in Student Senate, traveled to Boston for Model United Nations, and studied abroad in Seville, Spain—experiences that expanded her worldview and strengthened her leadership skills. Katie credits two professors with profoundly shaping her academic and personal growth. Dr. Bridgit Goldman nurtured her passion for biology and medicine, fostering a classroom environment rooted in curiosity and confidence. Professor Deb Kelly, Esq. also left a lasting impression by leading a class trip through Europe, immersing students in the cultures of Amsterdam, Brussels, and France while imparting lessons that extended far beyond the classroom.
Kelly reflects on Siena as a place defined by countless people and moments—from familiar greetings from cafeteria staff to quiet weekend visits to the chapel. Being on campus on September 11, 2001, had a profound impact on her, and she recalls the overwhelming sense of love, support, and community Siena provided in the days and years that followed. That experience continues to shape how she approaches life, grounded in gratitude, compassion, and integrity.
Their legacy story is filled with moments that feel uniquely Siena. Erin never imagined she would meet her future sisters in law during her college years, yet Siena made that possible. Summers after graduation became an annual tradition, with friends gathering in Lake George to relive the fun, embarrassing, and unforgettable Siena stories that bonded them together. For Katie, her Siena journey began even before she officially enrolled. Through visits with her sister and future sister in law, she was introduced early to campus life and the close knit townhouse community, giving her a sense of belonging well before her freshman year. As another example of how deeply Siena connections are woven into their family story, Katie is now engaged to marry the cousin of fellow Siena classmate Kelly (Girvin) Bariteau '12.
Today, the Siena values that shaped their college years continue to guide their professional lives. Erin serves as an Associate Commissioner at the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. Katie is a Family Nurse Practitioner at Schoolhouse Road Pediatrics, caring for families in her community. Kelly is the Assistant Superintendent of Schools for the Watervliet City School District, leading with the same commitment to service and community that Siena instilled in her years ago.
For the Cassidy–Collins family, Siena is not just a chapter in their past. It is a shared foundation, a place where friendships became family, and a legacy that continues to grow with each passing generation.