Niagara University has received a $1 million federal grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration that will fund the renovation of a campus building to create an innovative hub for students in the university’s College of Nursing. The funding was secured by U.S. Senator Charles Schumer.
“Niagara University’s College of Nursing has a legacy of caring that spans decades,” said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., Niagara University president. “This grant will strengthen our continuous commitment to provide our nursing students with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in an ever-evolving healthcare landscape. As well, this transformative grant elevates the academic reputation of our College of Nursing and reinforces our Vincentian mission to produce compassionate and highly skilled healthcare professionals who improve patient care in our communities. We are grateful to Senator Schumer for his continued support of Niagara University.”
The $1 million grant, which will be supplemented by a $325,000 grant from the Higher Education Capital Match Program, will allow Niagara University to reimagine its Marian House as an innovative center of learning for its College of Nursing. The project will transform an approximately 8,000-square-foot area into new spaces to accommodate the college’s science-based curriculum, including classrooms, conference rooms, laboratories, offices, and student workspaces.
In addition to providing much-needed space for the College of Nursing, the renovated facility will have a direct, positive impact on the experience of students by providing the necessary resources, support, and guidance to help them achieve their full academic potential, including tutoring services, academic workshops, and a nurturing environment that fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and knowledge application.
The transformed facility will also provide an enriching learning setting that actively promotes diversity and inclusion by offering the resources, programs, and support that ensure all students, regardless of their background, feel welcome, respected, and valued within the nursing and campus community.
“It is well-documented that students who feel a sense of belonging at their university are more successful and more likely to persist in their field of study,” said Dr. Christine Verni, dean of NU’s College of Nursing. “These new spaces will foster a caring and inclusive community where students can find emotional support, guidance, and resources for maintaining a healthy work-life balance to help them manage stress, cultivate resilience, and lead balanced lives, while preparing them for positions of responsibility in all areas of the healthcare industry.”
The renovated space will also offer flexible layouts and state-of-the-art A/V and technology capabilities where events and community outreach activities can be held, such as training, intercollaborative experiences for students, small seminars, and external speakers. These initiatives support the college’s efforts to improve health outcomes within the community and deepen Niagara University’s commitment to public health in Western New York, Niagara County, and Niagara Falls.
