Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center for Race

Social Work Department Observes National Social Work Month

February 18, 2025

In observance of National Social Work Month, the Niagara University Department of Social Work is hosting a series of events throughout March. This year's theme is "Compassion + Action."

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Niagara University Students Travel to Nation’s Capital to Advocate for Mental Health Services

May 9, 2024

A student delegation from Niagara University traveled to Washington, D.C., April 14-16 to speak with elected officials and advocate for the passage of the Mental Health Services for Students Act of 2023.

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Niagara University students Lore Porter and Angel Parker were among the presenters at the Ostapenko Center’s seventh annual Youth Action Conference. Photo courtesy of Eric Yarwood, Education Collaborative of WNY.

Niagara University Ostapenko Center Sponsors Youth Action Conference

April 24, 2024

Three hundred students in grades 6-12 from 17 private and public schools across New York state learned more about leadership and becoming change agents at a Youth Action Conference on April 23 at the Niagara Falls Convention Center. The event, now in its seventh year, is sponsored by the Niagara University Ostapenko Center for Race, Equity and Mission.

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Dr. Rolanda Ward Receives Champion of Justice Award from National Association of Social Workers

March 25, 2024

Dr. Rolanda Ward, associate professor of social work at Niagara University and endowed faculty director of the university’s Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center for Race, Equity, and Mission, received the Champion of Justice Award from the New York state chapter of the National Association of Social Workers at a virtual ceremony on March 28.

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Religious Scholar to Lead Film Screening and Discussion on Race, Religion, and Justice at Niagara University

February 2, 2024

Niagara University’s Ostapenko Center for Race, Equity, & Mission is hosting a film screening and discussion on race, religion, and justice featuring Dr. Jamal-Dominque Hopkins, associate professor of Christian scriptures at Baylor University’s George W. Truett Theological Seminary. Dr. Hopkins will show two short films and lead an iconographic analysis of the movies during the event, which takes place Feb. 29 at 5:30 p.m. in Dunleavy Hall, Room 127. It is free and open to the public.

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