Board of Trustees | Niagara University

The Board of Trustees at Niagara University is a distinguished group of dedicated leaders committed to guiding the university towards continued excellence in education, service, and community engagement. Comprised of alumni, business professionals, and community leaders, the Board provides invaluable insight and strategic direction to ensure the university remains a transformative force in higher education. With a deep passion for Niagara’s mission and a shared vision for its future, the Board of Trustees plays a pivotal role in shaping the university’s growth, fostering innovation, and advancing its values of integrity, academic excellence, and social responsibility.

Nicholas Cecere (Chair)

Thrivent
Committees: Athletics, Executive (Chair), Institutional Advancement Committee, Investment

Dr. Thomas Summers, ’84 (Vice Chair)

Windsong Radiology Group
Committees: Athletics (vice chair), Executive (Vice Chair), Institutional Advancement (Chair)

Debra Baker, '82 (Secretary)

Committees: Audit (chair), Executive, Finance, Student Affairs

Rev. Elmer Bauer, C.M., '87

Congregation of the Mission
Committees: Athletics, Audit (Vice Chair), Investment (Vice Chair)

Robert Bradley, ‘97

Committees: Enrollment and Marketing, Student Affairs

Kevin Clarke, ’73

Niko Resources Ltd.
Committees: Athletics (chair), Executive, Finance

Peter Cortellucci

Cortel Group
Committees: Enrollment and Marketing, Institutional Advancement

Fr. Kevin Creagh, C.M.

Catholic Health Long Island
Committees: Finance, Institutional Advancement

Donna DeCarolis

Retired
Committees: Athletics, Executive, Finance (Chair)

Maryalice Demler, ’86

WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, N.Y.
Committees: Enrollment and Marketing (chair), Executive, Mission

Jessica Enstice

Educator/ Community Volunteer
Committees: Mission

Fr. Patrick Flanagan, C.M., '87

St. John’s University
Committees: Institutional Advancement, Technology and Facilities

Sister Louise Gallahue, D.C

Heart, Love and Soul
Committees: Mission (vice chair), Student Affairs

Denise Góñez-Santos

RBE-RN West–Erie 1 BOCES
Committees: Academic Affairs (Vice Chair), Executive, Faculty Personnel, Mission

Rev. Patrick Griffin, C.M., '75

Congregation of the Mission
Committees: Academic Affairs, Mission

Very Rev. Stephen Grozio, C.M., '75

Congregation of the Mission, Eastern Province
Committees: Executive, Mission (chair), Trusteeship

Karen Howard, ’84

Kei Advisors, LLC
Committees: Audit, Executive, Finance, Investment (chair)

Robert Ingrasci, Jr., '08

Lumsden & McCormick, LLP
Committees: Finance (Vice Chair), Investment, Mission

John Katko, ’84

Committees: Athletics, Institutional Advancement

Jessica Kemp, ’03, ’04

Kemp Financial Group
Committees: Athletics (Vice Chair), Institutional Advancement, Investment

Rev. James Maher, C.M., D. Min.

Niagara University
Committees: Executive, Trusteeship (chair)

Faisal Merani

Merani Hotel Group
Committees: Student Affairs, Technology and Facilities

Dr. Dianne Morrison-Beedy, ’80

The Ohio State University
Committee: Academic Affairs

Dr. Elizabeth Ortiz

DePaul University
Committees: Enrollment and Marketing, Executive, Faculty Personnel (chair), Student Affairs

John Overbeck, ’75

IBM Corp., Niagara University Holzschuh College of Business Administration
Committees: Academic Affairs (chair), Audit, Enrollment and Marketing, Executive

Shannon Patch, '07

Delaware North
Committees: Audit, Enrollment, Institutional Advancement

Dr. Daniel Patterson, Ph.D.

Committees: Academic Affairs, Binational Working Group

Rev. Craig Pridgen

True Bethel Baptist Church Niagara Falls
Committees: Executive, Faculty Personnel, Mission, Student Affairs (Chair)

Robert Rich, III

ROAR Logistics, Inc.
Committees: Institutional Advancement, Technology and Facilities

Kevin Ruggiero

Parsons Corp.
Committees: Academic Affairs, Technology and Facilities (Chair)