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high school

Robert Garris - Liberty

Future Leaders Liberty Partnerships Hosts Free Virtual Summer Camps for Middle and High School Students

By News Archive

June 17, 2021

Robert Garris shows collection of “kindness stones” created for the SUNY Niagara Liberty Kindness Rock Garden.

Robert Garris shows collection of “kindness stones” created for the SUNY Niagara Liberty Kindness Rock Garden.

Sanborn, N.Y. – SUNY Niagara is home to one of forty-seven highly successful Liberty Partnerships Programs throughout New York State. Sponsored by a Department of Education Grant, this program currently serves over 280 students in Niagara County. The Future Leaders Liberty Partnerships Program at SUNY Niagara provides year-round college and career planning, mentoring, leadership, service learning, community engagement, wellness, and social/emotional development to students.

During the month of May, students in the program worked on “kindness stones” with the goal of promoting random acts of kindness to recipients by painting and sharing inspirational rocks.  These painted rocks were decorated with inspirational messages, with some being added to the Liberty Kindness Rock Garden on campus at SUNY Niagara.  Liberty student Robert Garris was especially moved by the project, showing extra effort and dedication by making over 80 kindness stones.  “I think once I told him how much those rocks can change someone’s day around, especially when they are having a really bad day, he got more into it and understood the reason behind it,” said Robert’s mother Gina.

Community engagement is just one small part of how the Liberty Partnership Program enriches the lives of the youth participants.  The staff of the program helps to provide students and families a foundation for a successful and engaging school experience, through programs that assist them throughout middle and high school.  The ultimate goal is to transition participants into a successful college or career pathway.

This summer, Liberty Partnerships will be hosting free virtual summer camp, including a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) camp, and reading camps for grades 5-12, as well as a self-paced career exploration camp for high school students.  While the camps themselves are being offered virtually, each one will include a field trip for participants.

The Future Leaders Liberty Partnerships Program at SUNY Niagara is now enrolling new students in grades 6 through 8 who reside within partner school districts of Niagara Falls, Lockport, and Niagara Wheatfield. Please contact Program Director, Jamie Reid, via email at jreid@niagaracc.suny.edu or by phone at (716) 614-6891 to reserve a spot for your student. This program is free and the educational rewards are many.


Media Contact Information

Sara Harvey
Assistant Director of Public Relations and Event Management
Phone: 716-614-6220
Email: saharvey@niagaracc.suny.edu

Delaney Adams

High School Students Get a Jumpstart on College at SUNY Niagara

By News Archive

December 22, 2020

At a time when the pandemic has brought challenges for many in the academic realm, SUNY Niagara is improving access to higher education for high school students through the College Acceleration Program (CAP).  CAP allows students to take college courses at their own high school, following SUNY Niagara curriculum.  In essence, the dual-enrolled high school students are getting a head start on their college careers.

By participating in CAP, high school students can concurrently enroll to take college courses while receiving both high school and college credit.  As college costs and student debt is rising nationwide, the ability to save time and money through CAP classes while in high school is a huge advantage. According to former CAP student and current SUNY Niagara student Gabriela Bonura, “I would recommend high school students taking CAP classes because they are very affordable, and it does prepare you for the rigorous coursework when in college.”

The benefits of CAP are more than just financial savings, as high school students have an opportunity to lighten their course load when they do start college. This opens the door for students to explore more electives, earn a double major, complete an internship, or participate in a study abroad program.  The experience of earning college credit while still in high school helps to further prepare students for the expectations they will face and the culture of a college environment. “Taking college courses in the comfort of my high school has made for a great transitional period prior to college,” states Lockport High School Senior Delaney Adams.

Currently, there are participating high schools within Western New York offering college credits through SUNY Niagara CAP at a discounted rate of $79 per credit.  For the spring 2021 semester, a limited number of scholarships will be available to high school CAP students whose families faced financial hardships due to COVID-19.  To learn more about CAP, visit https://www.niagaracc.suny.edu/academics/highschool/


Media Contact Information

Sara Harvey
Assistant Director of Public Relations and Event Management
Phone: 716-614-6220
Email: saharvey@niagaracc.suny.edu

SUNY Niagara unveils new EOP office and collaboration with Niagara Falls High School

By News Archive

December 8, 2020

While the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) has been around since former New York State Assemblyman Arthur O. Eve started the program in 1967, it is relatively new to SUNY Niagara.  The program started at SUNY Niagara in August of 2016 with the goal of providing academic workshops, tutoring, counseling, advisement, and financial assistance to historically under-served students who require additional academic support.

Currently, the SUNY Niagara EOP has funding through the State University of New York (SUNY) Office of Opportunity Programs to support 70 students.  As of Tuesday, November 17, EOP students have a brand new space to call home as SUNY Niagara cut the ribbon on a larger, more student-friendly office.  More important than the office is the people who run the program on campus.  As an SUNY Niagara Alumna and former EOP student herself, Angela Jackson, EOP Coordinator at SUNY Niagara has a valuable perspective when it comes to the population she serves.  “Being able to work at my alma mater is awesome in and of itself, however being a former EOP student and being able to oversee and help shape the new EOP at SUNY Niagara was a dream opportunity for me,” says Angela.

Not all high school students receive the guidance and support needed to pursue their goals in higher education, or may not feel they are “college material” according to Angela.  Because of her own experience, she recognizes the importance of having a presence in high school to illustrate possibilities firsthand.  As part of her duties, Angela will now spend one day a week on-site at Niagara Falls High School allowing her to have 1-on-1 time with students to share information about EOP and inform students on exactly what services may be available to them.

While COVID has transitioned many of the services typically offered on-campus to a virtual experience, EOP is still very active in making a positive impact in the lives of the students it serves.  Angela notes that colleague Ted Mallwitz, Academic Support Specialist is amazing at disarming students and creating a safe space for them while directing them to the appropriate resources needed to assist them in their academic journey.  When asked about the vision of the future of EOP at SUNY Niagara, Angela envisions the program doubling the population it serves and hopes to provide even more financial support for students.  “The program has survived 52 years; I hope we have another 52.”

The SUNY Niagara Educational Opportunity Program helps through mentorship, academic programs, financial assistance, counseling/advising, and other campus support services to those who are first-generation college students, and/or from low-income and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. The comprehensive program of support services includes advising, learning skills development, tutoring, and academic advisement.  For more information about the SUNY Niagara EOP Program, please call (716) 614-5977 or email: eop@niagaracc.suny.edu


Media Contact Information

Barbara M. DeSimone
Director of Public Relations and Event Management
Phone: 716-481-3775
Email: desimone@niagaracc.suny.edu