Friday, November 13, 2026 (8:30am-2:00pm)
TOPIC:
Faculty, staff, students, and community partners are all welcome to join the WNY Service-Learning Coalition at our Fall Summit at Niagara University. Our panelists and break-out speakers will be sharing their perspectives and experiences on the topic of “Service-Learning in Dynamic Communities.”
REGISTRATION:
Registration is free and includes a continental breakfast and lunch.
PARKING AT NIAGARA UNIVERSITY:
Parking is free. Park in the Gallagher Center Lot (if the lot is full, attendees can park in any yellow or white parking spots). A campus map and directions can be found on the Niagara University website.
QUESTIONS:
Questions can be addressed to our WNYSLC gmail account: directorwnyservicelearningcoa@gmail.com
AGENDA:
8:30-9:00 Registration and Breakfast
9:00-9:15 Welcome Remarks from Niagara University President & WNYSLC Co-Chairs
- Father James Maher, C.M., President, Niagara University
- Rhonda Bivins-Talley, Executive Director, Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement, Niagara University
- Dr. Alice Villaseñor, Faculty Development Programs Lead and Research Assistant Professor of Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, SUNY University at Buffalo
9:15-9:45 Service-Learning Through the Lifespan
- Rachel DiDomizio, Associate Director, Community & Civic Engagement, SUNY University Buffalo
- Lisa Kragbé, NorthGate Harris Hill Ministry Director, NorthGate Christian Community Church
- Dreanna Parasram, Program Coordinator, Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement, Niagara University
Moderator: Dr. Tomasina Cook, Professor and Department Chair, Criminal Justice, SUNY Erie
9:45-10:15 Challenges and Opportunities of Doing the Good Work Even When It’s Hard
- Lilly McDonald, Management Major & Spanish Minor, Canisius University
- Angel Suarez-Cruz, Student, Canisius University
Moderator: Dr. Richard D. Reitsma, Professor, Department of Modern Languages, Literatures & Cultures, Canisius University
10:15-10:30 Break
10:30-11:15 Table Talks Round 1 (See List of Choices Below)
11:15-12:00 Table Talks Round 2 (See List of Choices Below)
Moderator: Rhonda Bivins-Talley, Executive Director, Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement, Niagara University
Moderator: Vicki Landes, Vice President Community Health Improvement, Kaleida Health
12:00-1:15 Lunch and Networking
1:15-1:45 Using AI to Create a Resource Navigator App for Friends of the Night People
- Brendan Fox, MD Candidate, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, SUNY University at Buffalo
- Camryn Imperiale, MD Candidate, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, SUNY University at Buffalo
- Dr. Jeremy Michalski, Clinical Instructor, Department of Emergency Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, SUNY University at Buffalo
Moderator: Dr. Alice Villaseñor, Faculty Development Programs Lead and Research Assistant Professor of Medicine, UB Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, SUNY University at Buffalo
1:45-2:00 Closing Remarks from WNYSLC Co-Chairs
- Dr. Alice Villaseñor, Faculty Development Programs Lead and Research Assistant Professor of Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, SUNY University at Buffalo
- Rhonda Bivins-Talley, Executive Director, Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement, Niagara University
Table Talk Topics:
Table 1: Building AI with Society, for Society: Exploring AI and Campus-Community Partnerships
Laura Hill Rao, Community Outreach Coordinator, AI and Society Department, SUNY University at Buffalo
Table 2: Building Connections, Expanding Opportunity: A Conversation about the American Connection Corps
Kate Sarata, Executive Director, The Service Collaborative of WNY
Table 3: Service Opportunities in Public Health: Connecting Classroom Learning with Community Partnerships
Vicki Landes, Vice President Community Health Improvement, Kaleida Health
Table 4: More than Just Volunteer Hours: The Importance of Data in Strengthening University-Community Partnerships
Dr. Clemon George, Assistant Professor, School of Education and Applied Professions, SUNY Buffalo State University
Rhonda Bivins-Talley, Executive Director, Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement, Niagara University
Table 5: Student Voices, Community Impact: Leading Change Through Service-Learning, Niagara University Students
Niagara University Students
