About

The Youth Action Conference is a statewide initiative hosted annually by Niagara University’s Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center. Designed to empower young people as leaders in social change, the conference provides a fully youth-led space where high school and college students engage in meaningful dialogue, collaborative workshops, and critical thinking around issues that impact their communities.

Embracing Perspectives: Initiating Dialogue To Challenge Fear

Conference is free to all participants, made possible through the generous support of our Sponsors
All students will receive a complimentary meal!
Schools must arrange transportation to and from the venue
Schools from across New York State are encouraged to bring up to 30 students
We will provide info on hotel accommodations for out-of-town schools
Schools should designate an appropriate number of chaperones
Each school’s primary contact will receive event details for participating students

Our Team

Dr. Rolanda L. Ward

Department Chair and Program Director

Alicia Yamashita

Social Work Dept and Ostapenko Center Office Coordinator

Dr. Taylor

Professor of Criminal Justice

Dr. Yong Tong

Associate Professor of Computer and Information Sciences

Irina Nikikova

Ostapenko Center Intern

Jessica Fernandez

Ostapenko Center Intern

Niesha Belleus

Ostapenko Center Intern

Adrianna Selkie

Ostapenko Center Intern

Carlos Hernandez

Data Handling & Web Developer Intern

Our Clubs

SWSA (Social Work Student Association)

The Social Work Student Association at Niagara University is a club for aspiring social workers to come together, to promote the social work mission and ethics outlined by the NASW, while striving to be a community focused group.

Organized a series of on campus events for the NU student body
Participated in two annual Baccalaureate Social Work Program Directors Student Conferences
Completed over 500 hours of community service in the 2024-2025 academic year.

Phi Alpha Honor Society

Phi Alpha is a national lifetime honor society that recognizes and celebrates academic excellence in Social Work while strengthening bonds among students and promoting humanitarian values through leadership, service, and professional development.

Inducts top-performing Social Work students into a nationally recognized lifetime honor society
Provides leadership opportunities for members through chapter involvement, officer roles, and collaboration with the Social Work Department and student groups (including SWSA).
Offers members access to scholarship, grant, and award opportunities through the national Phi Alpha organization