Niagara University, Say Yes Niagara Falls, and the Niagara Falls City School District today signed a memorandum of understanding establishing a partnership to help Niagara Falls students and families navigate the path from early learning through high school, postsecondary education, and meaningful careers.
The agreement was signed during a ceremony in Glynn Hall on Niagara University’s campus by the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., president of Niagara University; David Rust, chief executive officer of Say Yes Niagara Falls; and Stanley Wojton, superintendent of the Niagara Falls City School District.
The partnership brings together public education, higher education, and community resources with a shared goal of removing barriers to educational attainment and workforce participation. It also recognizes that every student deserves the opportunity to pursue the path best suited to their talents and aspirations.
“For generations, Niagara University has been proud to educate future leaders from Niagara Falls, including the current and former superintendents of the Niagara Falls City School District,” said Father Maher. “When Niagara Falls students succeed, our entire region benefits. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to opening doors for these students and supporting them as they grow academically, personally, and professionally, preparing them to pursue the lives and careers they envision.”
Under the agreement, the partners will collaborate in five areas:
- College access and postsecondary pathways: Providing students and families with information about admissions, financial aid, scholarships, and career pathways, and exploring campus visits, college fairs, and financial aid workshops.
- Student and family supports: Coordinating opportunities for academic enrichment, tutoring, mentoring, summer learning, and leadership development, and connecting families with community-based resources.
- Career exploration and workforce development: Exploring career panels, employer visits, job shadowing, internships, and other experiential learning aligned with regional workforce needs.
- Say Yes programs and educational opportunity: Sharing clear, accurate information about the programs and supports available through Say Yes Niagara Falls and its partners.
- Community engagement: Considering joint family events, educational workshops, and public information sessions, and engaging additional employers, nonprofits, and funders in support of shared goals.
“Say Yes was built on the belief that every young person deserves the chance to pursue the future they choose, and that no single organization can make that happen alone,” said Rust. “Bringing Niagara University and the Niagara Falls City School District together around a shared plan means students and families will have more people in their corner and a clearer picture of the opportunities in front of them, from their first campus visit to college graduation and beyond.”
“Our students are capable of extraordinary things when they have the right support and a clear view of what is possible,” said Wojton. “This agreement strengthens the connections between our classrooms, a respected university in our own city, and the community resources Say Yes brings together. It gives our students and families more ways to explore college and careers, and more help along the way.”
The partnership builds on growing community support for Say Yes Niagara Falls. In March, the KeyBank Foundation committed $500,000 to the Niagara Falls Scholarship Endowment Fund, which works to remove financial barriers to higher education for Niagara Falls City School District graduates. The scholarships cover tuition remaining after federal, state, and institutional aid. Say Yes Niagara Falls has also received a significant leadership gift from Larry and Mary Montani in support of the Say Yes Niagara Falls endowment fund for Niagara University student scholarships. Larry Montani, a former chair of Niagara University’s Board of Trustees, was recently honored with the title of chair emeritus.
