BUFFALO, NY – Alumni of the Canisius University Urban Leadership Learning Community (ULLC), formerly known as the McGowan Learning Community Program, recently gathered to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the first graduating class. The only one of its kind in the area, the ULLC provides socially and economically disadvantaged students, who are committed to developing their academic talents and leadership abilities, with an opportunity to obtain a high-quality Canisius education.
“The ULLC Program afforded me many opportunities that I otherwise would not have had,” says Charity Hill-Jasinksi ’04 MS Ed ’06. Jasinksi is completing her doctoral studies in curriculum instruction and the science of learning at the State University of New York at Buffalo. “I enjoyed my trips to the Lakota Reservation, study abroad to Australia, Literary London and the ULLC workshops, all of which played a role in my career choices.”
“The ULLC is a wonderful opportunity for students in the Greater Buffalo area - an opportunity to join the next generation of leaders of Western New York,” says E. Roger Stephenson, PhD, professor emeritus of English and ULLC director. “It represents a very tangible manifestation of Canisius University at its very best —serving the young people of the community to which it is committed. I couldn’t be more proud of the program and its students.”
A hallmark program of Canisius, the ULLC is defined by a specialized team-learning curriculum, scholarship support, on-campus residency and leadership development programs to create a new generation of leaders for Buffalo. The ULLC was established in 2000 by Stephenson and Ken Sroka, PhD, professor emeritus of English, with a $5 million grant made possible in large part by Lee and Red Rosica. The program has 127 graduates. Ninety-percent are either working in their chosen field or pursuing graduate studies. Graduates of the program have pursued graduate studies in education, business, law, college administration, social work and medicine.
Canisius is one of 28 Jesuit universities in the nation and the premier private university in Western New York.
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