The Rev. James J. Maher in Top 100 of Western New York’s Most influential Leaders

For the 12^th consecutive year, the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., president of Niagara University, has been named as one of the region's most influential leaders by Buffalo Business First.

Father Maher, who has served as Niagara University's 26^th president since August 2013, is listed at No. 79 in the weekly newspaper's annual "Power 250," a list of the 250 men and women who aim to make changes and improvements in the eight-county Buffalo region.

Under Father Maher's leadership, Niagara University's outstanding, transformational education has been recognized as the best value in the North by U.S. News & World Report in its annual survey of "America's Best Colleges." This prestigious ranking reflects Father Maher's abiding commitment to providing an accessible and affordable education.

The academic reputation of the university has been elevated during his tenure, as well, with increased enrollment and retention rates, establishing Niagara as the largest private institution in Western New York. Graduation rates have also been among the highest in the nation, and 97% of alumni are employed or in graduate school within one year of graduation.

Some of Father Maher's most significant accomplishments in the past few years include re-establishing the university's College of Nursing, which offers a traditional four-year nursing degree, an accelerated post-baccalaureate degree, an online RN-BSN degree completion program, and master's degree programs in family nurse practitioner and nursing education. In addition, the university received NSA designation as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense for its master's program in information security and digital forensics. A successful capital campaign and a recent $10 million gift from B. Thomas Golisano, one of the largest received among a series of major awards totaling $360 million to organizations in Upstate New York, have offered support of Father Maher's work and vision.

Niagara University has also strengthened its binational reputation with the establishment and expansion of its campus in Vaughan, Ontario, where more than 500 students are currently enrolled.

Father Maher's work in the community as chair of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership and as a member of the Greater Niagara Steering Group, which is dedicated to fostering the revitalization of the City of Niagara Falls, exemplifies his vision of the university as a catalyst to advance impactful collaborations that positively impact the region's economic, social, and educational development.

Joining him on the list are four Niagara University alumni: Kimberley Minkel, '88, president and executive director of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority; Christopher Ross, '82, principal at Lawley Insurance; Joseph Dash, '98, CEO and owner of Dash's Market Inc.; and Joseph Ruffolo, '78, president and CEO of Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center.