Niagara University-Social Work

email fura@niagara.edu
Regular mail:  Marge Fura, Department Secretary
                    Niagara University, Social Work Department
                     P.O. Box 1942, Niagara University, NY 14109-1942

Bourassa, Korinna - I began my education in Welland, ON with two years at Niagara College and then transferred to Niagara Univesity to continue with two years there. I really enjoyed the experience of college and university as well as Canada and the United States. I got a great picture of differences and similarities between the two neighboring countries which were significant to social work. My education has led me to a very exciting career opportunity overseas. It has been a huge process, a lot of work and dedication to get finalized but in the end I think it will be worth it. I will be working, most likely in child welfare in the United Kingdom. I have been involved with an agency called Elite Social Workers whick helps individuals from all over the world to be placed in a social work job in the United Kingdom and has helped me over the past year keep my plans on track. I am excited and nervous to begin my career but it is an amazing feeling to know that this degree can be used everywhere and we can help people all over the world. I plan to come back to Canada and use my new experience and knowledge to help people back home. I can be reached at korinnab_3@hotmail.com

Bradish, Rebecca - After graduating from Niagara, I was admitted to The College of Health and Human Services at Syracuse University and received my MSW in May 2007 I am now living in Cortland, NY and currently working at The William George Agency for Children's Services. I am the Director of a critical care cottage of emotionally disturbed adolescent boys 15-18. I love my job and it has been keeping me quite busy. I can be reached at beckybradish@hotmail.com

Chesebro, Elizabeth (Liz) - After graduating from N.U. in May, i returned to my hometown of Norwich, NY. I began my professional career working for the Migrant Education Outreach Program right after graduation. I currently am working for Chenango County Department of Social Services as a Caseworker in the Child Protective and Preventive Services Unit. NYS requires an extensive amount of training for new caseworkers; fortunately the majority of the trainings were a refresher of my Social Work education at N.U.! I will be starting my MSW within the next year. I plan to attend either Syracuse University or Binghamton University and concentrate on children and families. I can be reached at eachesebro@hotmail.com

Connell, Audrey - After graduating from Niagara University I continued to work as a Team Leader (supervisor) at Community Missions (Aurora House). Here I had the blessing of working with adolescents who are severly emotionally disturbed in residential placement. I am currently enrolled at Medaille College, advanced standing program, and will receive my Master's in Mental Health counseling, with a focus in trauma, in December 2008. Recently, I have been employed by Gateway-Longview working as a preventive caseworker/social worker, in collaboration with the Erie County Court System and I am beginning my Master's internship with Gateway-Longview working in residential communities doing clinical therapy. I look forward to hearing from my colleagues. I can be reached at Audrey62883@yahoo.com

Ligas, Elizabeth (Beth) -After graduating from NU in May 05, I decided to attend graduate school right away, which I'm glad I did. I began at the Mandel School at Case Western in August 05 in the Advanced Standing Program and graduated in August 06. My concentration was Community Development. After completing grad school, I passed my LISW test and am currently an LSW. The test was difficult but I could relate the questions to much of what I learned at NU. I have been working at the YWCA Greater Cleveland since September 06. I facilitate groups with teens and teen's parents. The Social Work program at NU definitely prepared me for my career, especially group work. I can be reached at eal99@ol.com

Oliver, Winowa - After completing my BSW in January 2005, I immediately started working as a social worker at Niagara Children Education andTreatment Center, a preschool for children with and without developmental delays. As the social worker, I provided counseling in the form of play therapy, and social work with parents in the form of parent education and training. I also did intake with families. I worked at Niagara Children ETC. until September of 2007. I ended my career at Niagara Children ETC. in order to devote all of my time to the advanced standing MSW program at the University at Buffalo in the concentration of health, mental health and disabilities. I began the MSW program in May 2007 and will complete my degree in May 2008. After graduation I plan to obtain my license and work in a school setting. I can be reached at woliver83@aol.com

Richards, Bianca - After graduating from NU I went back to work for the City of Rochester, New York, Parks and Recreation. I am now employed at the Heritage Christian Services. I started working for the agency in March 2006 as a Residence Counselor.. I just recently received a promotion to Shift Coordinator. I work at a Heritage group home with six residents who have mental disabilities. I have learned so much from them and they have taught me to have a greal deal of patience. The home consists of four males and two female residents. I wish you all could meet them. They are six of the most beautiful people I have ever met. Working with them can sometimes be very challenging, but it is a very rewarding job. I am accepted for Fall 2007 in the MSW Program at SUNY Brockport and will be doing it on a part-time basis while working. I hope everyone is doing well these days. You can reach me at WONKA182000@yahoo.com

Van Buren, Susan - I am grateful for my NU experience. Starting college after 30 years was quite an experience. Attending Niagara Country Community College and then graduating from NU in 2005 with my BSW meant a lot to me. Continuing on, I graduated from UB with my MSW in '06 and then completed my LMSW in '07. After acquiring my MSW, I was and presently am, employed by Catholic Charities, working with children with serious emotional disorders. I enjoy working as a Child and Family Therapist at Monsignor Carr Children's Institute. I have also been continuing my education while working toward certifications with UB's Trauma Certification Program and as a registered play therapist. I have recently completed training in Erie County as an Emergency Mental Health Responder to assist people during disasters. I can be reached at TLCret@aol.com

Walters, Misty - My experience at Niagara University was great. I was a work-study student in the Social Work Department throughout my attendance at NU. I graduated from NU in December 2005 and obtained a job at Community Missions, Inc. through contacts from my internship at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. I worked for a year and went back to school in January 2006 to UB in the MSW Part-time Advanced Standing Program. I continued to work full-time at Community Missions, Inc. and was promoted to Intake Manager. I graduated in August 2007 and will be taking the NYS LMSW exam soon. I can be reached at mwalters@communitymissions.org

Wehrle, Jenna - I started my education at Niagara College in Welland, Ontario, transferring to Niagara University to complete my BSW. Upon completion, I started my MSW within 1 month of graduation at University at Buffalo which I completed on a part time basis. It took about 2 years to complete this MSW Program. After graduation in May 07, I applied to many different types of agencies and am currently now working in Child Protection at Huron-Perth Children's Aid Society in the picturesque town of Goderich, Ontario, Canada. I can be reaced at jennawehrle@yahoo.ca Good Luck and Best Wishes to all.

Zinati, Roncia - After I graduated from Niagara University, I started working at Family & Children's Services, a Child Protection Agency, in Ontario, Canada. I can be reached at roncia_z@hotmail.com