A 2026 graduate of GSE’s mental health counseling program, Joseph Veronica, recently appeared in Cami Clune’s “Summer Fantasy” video. Images courtesy of Cami Clune / Denny Kremblas Creative.
Published May 14, 2026
BY DANIELLE LEGARE
From UB to a music video: GSE grad Joseph Veronica steps into the spotlight
For many University at Buffalo Graduate School of Education students, growth happens in unexpected places. Sometimes, it even happens on camera. Joseph Veronica, a 2026 graduate of GSE’s mental health counseling program, recently starred in a music video with Buffalo-born singer-songwriter Cami Clune, a finalist on The Voice.
Released in 2025, the cinematic video for “Summer Fantasy” tells the story of a fleeting relationship, capturing moments of late nights, road trips and quiet time together before revealing a more complicated reality beneath it all.
The project marks an unexpected and exciting milestone as Joseph prepares to walk in UB’s commencement ceremony this month.
He said the opportunity came through a local casting call, which connected him with the project after Cami's team began searching for a local actor. He even started teaching himself guitar after learning the role called for someone who could play.
“It was kind of this weird experience where these two strangers are meeting for the very first time and being told, ‘Okay, go be in a relationship on camera,’” Joseph said. “But I guess that’s what actors have to do.”
Joseph’s path to acting began unexpectedly during college after he was pushed out of his comfort zone and encouraged to try improv. “I was terrified of acting, terrified of being on stage,” he said. “But I went to one improv practice, and I just fell in love with it immediately.”
That decision set off a chain of opportunities. Before long, Joseph was booking photoshoots, commercial work and, eventually, his role in Cami’s music video.
"Joe was awesome to work with on this project," said Cami. "From day one, he brought a natural energy that really helped bring the story I envisioned to life. He’s very kind, professional and made the entire process so fun and easy."
Finding a path in counseling
Joseph’s interests extend beyond the screen. His professional journey began with a long-standing curiosity about how people think and behave.
“I was always drawn to psychology,” he said. “I thought learning about the brain and learning how people work was just the most interesting thing in the world.”
Still, he was not always certain counseling was the right fit: “At first, I considered counseling, but then I was kind of wondering, ‘Am I really cut out for this?’ But after some deep reflection and certain life events, I realized, you know, if not me, then who else will do it,” he said. “So, I took a leap of faith, and it’s been working out so well.”
At UB, Joseph completed the mental health counseling program over two and a half years while gaining hands-on experience through an internship at Endeavor Health Services. He then began his current role as an intake counselor at Horizon Health Services, where he guides clients through their first sessions and assessments.
Where counseling meets coaching
Joseph has also applied what he learned in his graduate program to coaching youth track and field. A former sprinter, he spent last summer working with athletes ages 10 to 15 in a local program, where he led sprint drills and introduced events such as hurdles and the long jump.
Those experiences reinforced his interest and focus on building confidence and helping others set goals, while also offering an early glimpse into working with younger populations.
“Goal setting is a big thing,” Joseph said. “No matter what it is—sports or coming to therapy—if you have a goal in mind, a big part of that is your motivation toward that goal.”
Coaching has also helped shape his interest in potentially working with children and even exploring sports psychology as a long-term path.
As he looks ahead, Joseph is focused on building confidence in his counseling practice and supporting the people he serves.
“I hope that I am remembered for the way that I treated people,” he said. “I hope that there are many people out in the world who can look back and say the time I spent with Joe made my life better.”
Images courtesy of Cami Clune / Denny Kremblas Creative.