Student Spotlights

I decided to enroll at Niagara University because it gave me a sense of community when I stepped foot onto campus. I knew I would thrive with the small class sizes and endless opportunities that would be provided to me. What I didn’t know is how much of an impact these opportunities would have on me, as well as my future. 

The first area I got involved in on campus was in the Admissions Office as a tour guide. As a freshman, I remembered back to my campus tour and how it sold me on the university, and I wanted the opportunity to do the same for prospective students. Becoming a tour guide gave me the confidence to get more involved on campus. 

My second semester freshman year, I decided to join a brand new club on campus called Camp Courage Crew. I instantly felt at home participating in this club, and the mission, which is solely to raise awareness and money for Camp Good Days, had me motivated. I was able to donate 16 inches of my hair at our annual dance marathon, as well as help to raise over $10,000 in its second year. Fast forward to current time, and I serve as the vice president of Camp Courage Crew, one of the most rewarding things I have been able to do within my time at Niagara. 

Another position I applied for freshman year was as a community advisor (CA). I applied for the position because I wanted to be the support system for residents that my CAs had been for me. I received the position as a CA, and this was my most transformative point at Niagara.

My sophomore year started with great amounts of confidence and I was so happy to make connections with my residents. Now I have accepted a position as the lead community advisor of O’Shea Hall for the 2020-2021 academic year. Being a CA has undoubtedly shaped my career as a Niagara University student. 

During my sophomore year, I had an overwhelming amount of love for Niagara and only wanted to get involved even more. I applied to be an orientation leader for the Summer Orientation program. I received an offer for this position and was able to spend my summer working with 25 other amazing students and all the incoming freshmen. Being an orientation leader was such an exciting experience that I can’t wait to do it again this summer. 

I also decided that I wanted to get more involved and really advocate for the students. I ran as a senator for the Class of 2021 and was elected for the 2019-2020 academic year. Being a senator in the Niagara University Student Government Association (NUSGA) has been a great experience. Being able to work with eight other students in my class to put on events, and work on improving campus life has been very beneficial for me. 

Being a business major, this involvement was important, but not necessary to find a job in my field. I couldn’t figure out exactly what I wanted to do in the business field, but then I started thinking about my involvement in the world of higher education. After the thought of pursuing a future in higher education crossed my mind, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I spent the fall semester of my junior year meeting with the dean of students and the vice president of student affairs trying to learn more about what their jobs entail. 

Now, as a second semester junior, I have an internship in the Student Affairs Office where I am working on forming a student handbook. This opportunity has allowed me to work with other offices on campus and truly learn so much more about the ins and outs of student affairs. Thanks to the amazing opportunities at Niagara University, I was able to find a clarity of direction for my future. Throughout finding this clarity of direction, it has also given me a heightened sense of purpose because now I know exactly what I want to do to help others in the future. 

As a freshman, if I had been told all that I would accomplish by my junior year, I would not have believed it. Without the amazing faculty and staff at Niagara, I would not have adopted my future as comfortably and confidently as I have.

While I have accomplished a lot already, the opportunities I’ve had at Niagara only make me want to push further. Being able to feel so positively about my future gives me the confidence to go into my senior year with certainty and excitement. I am fortunate to have discovered my commitment to and true passion at Niagara University.