Dr. Debra Colley, executive vice president at Niagara University, was among the honorees included on Buffalo Business First’s list of Power 200 Women, a group of local leaders whose talent and influence are fueling economic, social, and cultural growth throughout Western New York. She was listed at number 86.

Dr. Colley began her tenure at Niagara University as dean of its College of Education, a position she held from August 1999 until August 2015. In her current role, Dr. Colley directly oversees the university's sectors of student affairs, international relations, public relations, university planning and assessment, and information technology. She also oversees community outreach, including administration of the Rev. Joseph L. Levesque C.M. Institute for Civic Engagement, and spearheaded the project that will create an academic innovation hub at the First Congregational Church in the city of Niagara Falls.

In addition, several other members of the NU community were named to the list, including Connie Brown, a lecturer in the College of Education and president and CEO of the United Way of Greater Niagara (#198) and Catherine Collins, an adjunct professor at NU and a member of the New York State Board of Regents (#184); alumni Kimberley Minkel, ’88, executive director of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (#6), Laurie Merletti, president of physician enterprise for Catholic Health (#95), and Kathleen Neville, a member of NU’s Board of Trustees and chair of the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission (#90); and Donna DeCarolis, a member of NU’s Board of Trustees and president of National Fuel (#35).