Institute for Civic Engagement

Levesque Institute Civic Engagement Sign

Niagara University Hosts Summit Focusing on Collective Impact for Early Learners

September 29, 2025

Niagara University’s Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement is hosting the 2025 Early Childhood Summit on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 8:30 a.m. until 4 p.m. in the Russell J. Salvatore Dining Commons on campus.

Niagara University Levesque Institute Summer Campers

Niagara University Levesque Institute Hosts Summer Enrichment Camps for Niagara Falls High School Students

August 25, 2025

This July, Niagara University’s Levesque Institute hosted several groups of students from Niagara Falls High School as they learned more about the opportunities and resources available to help them achieve their goals for the future.

Women's basketball team for rock the block

Niagara University Women’s Basketball Rocks the Block

July 31, 2025

embers of Niagara University’s women’s basketball team and their coaches helped to make the neighborhood around 25th Street in Niagara Falls, N.Y., a little more beautiful during Rock the Block, an annual event co-sponsored by NU’s Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement and Habitat for Humanity.

Danielle Battle, a speaker with The Aspen Institute’s Weave: The Social Fabric Project, was the keynote speaker at the Western New York Service-Learning Summit on Nov. 1, hosted by Niagara University’s Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement.

Western New York Service-Learning Summit Reaches Capacity with Engaged Community Partners

November 6, 2024

More than 70 representatives from colleges, universities, and numerous community and faith-based organizations throughout Western New York attended the Western New York Service-Learning Summit on Nov. 1, hosted by Niagara University’s Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement and funded by the John R. Oishei Foundation.

Cary Newman, operations manager, Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement; Dr. Karen Kwandrans, associate vice president for strategic and external relations; Kevin Forma, director of planning and environmental for the City of Niagara Falls; Mary Minix, Niagara University sophomore; Tyra Johnson Hux, WNY operations director, LISC; Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino; Gina Beam, executive director, Niagara Area Habitat for Humanity; the Rev. James Maher, C.M., Niagara University president; Dr. Yonghong Tong, associate professor, computer and information sciences; Joshua Greene, planner, LaBella Associates; Rebecca Smith, civil regional manager/data intelligence group Buffalo lead, LaBella Associates; Greg Coniglio, data intelligence group lead, LaBella Associates; Matthew Chaves, project manager, NORLIC.

Niagara University Launches Online Interactive Community Assessment and Mapping Tool

September 13, 2024

Niagara University, in collaboration with local stakeholders, announced the release of the “Within Mid-City Niagara Falls Housing and Community Assessment and Public Web Mapping Tool,” on Sept. 13, 2024, in the Russell Salvatore Dining Commons on the university’s campus. This innovative tool, developed through a partnership with the City of Niagara Falls, LaBella Associates, and other key community organizations, marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to revitalize the mid-city area of Niagara Falls.

Dr. Karen Kwandrans and Rhonda Bivins-Talley Discuss the Positive Impact of Niagara University’s Levesque Institute on WBFO

September 12, 2024

Dr. Karen Kwandrans, associate vice president at Niagara University, and Rhonda Bivins-Talley, executive director of the university’s Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement, discussed how the institute leverages its resources and influence to foster positive, sustainable change in the City of Niagara Falls, shared the innovative programs and initiatives they've developed, and offered their vision for the future of that city during an interview with WBFO’s Jay Moran on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2024. Listen here.

Early College/Smart Scholars students earned three tuition-free college credits by completing one of two classes: American Sign Language, pictured here, and Multicultural Education.

Niagara Falls High School Students Learn College and Career Skills at Camp Hosted by Levesque Institute

July 31, 2024

Niagara University’s Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement hosted a college and career readiness camp for Niagara Falls High School students in the Early College/Smart Scholars program July 15-Aug. 1, 2024. The three-week program offered 14 rising juniors and sophomores the opportunity to take college-level courses while learning the skills necessary for their transition to higher education.

Niagara Falls High School students in special education programs and their peers in the Early College Smart Scholars program learned American Sign Language during a pair of camps hosted by the Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement in July.

Niagara University Levesque Institute Hosts Inclusive College and Career Readiness Camp

July 31, 2024

Niagara University’s Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement hosted Inclusive NU, a one-week college and career readiness summer camp for Niagara Falls High School students in special education programs July 22-26, 2024.

Rhonda Bivins-Talley, executive director of the Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement, Niagara Falls Mayor Robert Restaino, Charles Perry, and Rev. Gregory Semeniuk, vice president for mission integration at Niagara University.

Niagara University’s Levesque Institute Leads Community Collaboration for Revitalization

July 23, 2024

On July 18, 2024, the Underground Railroad Heritage Museum in Niagara Falls hosted a remarkable gathering of community and faith-based organizations, spearheaded by Niagara University's Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement. This event, catered by Classic Soul, showcased the power of community collaboration and highlighted the institute's dedication to fostering positive change in the area.

Institute for Civic Engagement

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