As a student at Niagara University, this story reported by The Buffalo News makes me extremely proud that I chose to attend this establishment for my education. Kathleen McGrath, the lead faculty member of the College of Education’s Family Literacy Center has put together with several other faculty members reading enrichment programs for young children in the surrounding area.

Dr. McGrath has included graduate students to help with this program to enhance student’s literacy abilities from kindergarten through eighth grade. There are remedial and enrichment programs taught by the graduate students themselves. The best part is that it’s absolutely free for students to attend. Surrounding area schools either informs the parents or they hear from word of mouth and are welcome to give their children the opportunity to join.

I’m an English major at the university. I was a transfer student given the opportunity to further my education and it did not take me long to know that I made the correct choice. The English program here is absolutely fantastic with professors who truly care and dedicate their time to teaching us to the best of their ability and expose us to as much literature as they can.

When I found out this program was created at Niagara University by a faculty member who had also been a student in my seat years ago, it gave me immense satisfaction. Reading matters. Literacy matters. Having the ability to properly read and comprehend a piece of literature matters. Teacher and faculty members like Dr. McGrath who go the extra mile are the reason why I chose the major that I did. The chance to expose students to the advantages of reading are extremely important and one to be taken seriously. Teachers I’ve had myself that went that extra mile changed my life and greatly impacted my choice to continue studying literature.

It is because of programs like this that the abilities of students can improve. The fact that Niagara University has faculty members that care this much and gives so much effort to change the lives of the youth around the Buffalo area is fantastic, and every faculty and graduate student involved should be proud.