Dr. David Taylor Honored by United Way of Greater Niagara

Dr. David Taylor, professor of criminal justice at Niagara University and director of its M.A. in Criminal Justice Administration program in Ontario, received the Inclusivity Award at the annual United Way of Greater Niagara Awards Breakfast, April 11, 2025. The event brought together almost 200 community members, partners, and supporters for a morning of recognition and reflection on the power of giving back.

Dr. Taylor was among eight individuals and groups honored for the significant impact they have made on the community through their generosity, leadership, and service. He is the creator of the 14-Week Equity Challenge, a program offered in collaboration with the United Way, that gives participants a deeper understanding about the impact that systemic racism and inequity have in Western New York and opportunities to reflect and discuss ways to take action to improve their community. He also served for seven years as the director of the Rev. Joseph L. Levesque, C.M. Institute for Civic Engagement, which he co-founded at Niagara University in 2011 to expand the university's community partnerships and to strengthen service-learning and community-based research at the university. Dr. Taylor also oversees the Buffalo-Niagara region's citizen emergency preparedness program.

A recipient of the university's Vincentian Mission Award and its Caritas Medal, Dr. Taylor has dedicated much of his time at Niagara University toward identifying resources and implementing initiatives designed to assist the local community in such broad areas as crime prevention, disaster preparedness, neighborhood revitalization, and food access.