Social Work

Ostapenko Center Hosts BINGO for Seniors at Niagara Falls Housing Authority

November 20, 2025

Approximately 50 residents of the Niagara Falls Housing Authority’s Wrobel and Spallino towers in Niagara Falls participated in BINGO games hosted by Niagara University’s Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center in November 2025. These community programming events were intended to promote engagement and social connection among the senior residents. “BINGO offers a fun and accessible way...

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Head and shoulders photo of Rolanda Ward

Dr. Rolanda L. Ward Publishes Chapter on Cross-Cultural Issues of Grief and Bereavement

November 13, 2025

Dr. Rolanda L. Ward, endowed faculty director of Niagara University’s Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center and chair of the social work department, co-authored a chapter in the text, “Contemporary Issues in Human Services: Special Topics for Clinical Practice, Public Health, and Social Justice.” The chapter, “Death Customs: Cross-Cultural Issues of Grief and Bereavement,” examines how...

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Dr. Rolanda L. Ward Delivers Opening Keynote at State Conference

November 6, 2025

Dr. Rolanda L. Ward, endowed faculty director of Niagara University’s Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center and chair of the social work department, presented the opening keynote, “Diamond-Strong: 60 Years of School Social Work Service Through a Diversity Lens,” at the New York State School Social Workers’ Association 60th Annual Conference in Canandaigua, N.Y., on Nov....

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Katherine Courtney, ’03, honored with Humanitarian Award

NY Daily Record October 17, 2025

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Niagara University social work students helped Niagara Falls residents register to vote during the Ostapenko Center's annual voter registration drive in October.

Niagara University Holds Annual Voter Registration Drive

October 17, 2025

On Thursday, Oct. 9, the Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center held its annual voter registration drive in the city of Niagara Falls. Ostapenko interns Niesha Belleus and Jessica Fernandez, senior social work majors, organized the voting campaign.

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LeeAnn Gajewski, center, with the team she organized to beautify the south end of Niagara Falls.

Levesque Institute Student Organizes Niagara Falls Beautification Project

April 30, 2025

Levesque Institute work-study student LeeAnn Gajewski, a junior majoring in social work from Wilson, N.Y., coordinated a beautification project during National Volunteer Week, April 20-26, on the south end of the City of Niagara Falls in partnership with the Niagara Beautification Commission.

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Niagara University Students Learn About Lobbying During Trip to Washington, D.C.

April 9, 2025

More than 30 Niagara University students learned about effective lobbying during the Ostapenko Center’s annual political advocacy trip to Washington, D.C., March 30-April 1, 2025. The students were members of the university’s Black Student Union, Latinos Unidos, and the Social Work Student Association.

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NU social work students receive award at national conference

Niagara Gazette April 9, 2025

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Students From Across New York State Attend Youth Conference Hosted by Niagara University Ostapenko Center

March 31, 2025

Middle and high school students and their teachers from schools across New York state gathered at the Niagara Falls Convention Center on March 20 to attend the 8th Annual Youth Action Conference, hosted by Niagara University’s Ostapenko Center for Race, Equity and Mission.

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Mackenzie Forbes, Paige Hergott, and Olivia Harrington

Three Niagara University Social Work Students Receive Award at National Conference

March 18, 2025

Social work seniors Paige Hergott and Olivia Harrington and junior Mackenzie Forbes received second place honors for their poster, “The Importance of connections and relationships within the social work field displayed through SWSA” at the 42 annual conference of the Association of Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors, March 12-15, 2025, in Las Vegas.

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