Niagara University campus opens doors to 300 students in Vaughan

More than 300 students began classes Jan. 21

YorkRegion.com
Jan 22, 2019
Dina Al-Shibeeb

Niagara University officially opened the doors to its new Vaughan campus Jan. 21, welcoming more than 300 students.

"It has been my dream to bring a university to Vaughan," Bevilacqua said. "With focus, discipline and excellent partners, this dream has come true."

The private Catholic university's main campus is in Lewiston, New York.

The 12,000-square-foot new site includes seven classrooms, faculty and administration offices, and student lounge areas, and is located in Cortel Group’s Expo City complex, near the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre subway.

Students studying at the university will have the opportunity to enrol in either the bachelor of professional studies in education or the master of science in education programs.

Both programs are fully accredited by the Ontario College of Teachers.

“Building a complete city means having a post-secondary institution in an urban setting, walking distance from homes, businesses and amenities, and connected by regionally-integrated transit,” Bevilacqua said.

Despite sharp cuts to education by Ontario’s Tory government, Bevilacqua has long said that he is “determined” to bring a university to Vaughan.

“Working closely with Niagara University President Rev. James J. Maher, this is a commitment I have proudly delivered for the people of our city,” he said, dubbing “the arrival of Niagara University to the City of Vaughan” is “an important investment in our community.”

Niagara, run by the Congregation of the Mission, has about 3,300 undergraduate students in 50 academic programmes.

In 2017, the university was ranked as no. 44 by U.S. News & World Report in the "Regional Universities North" category.

Money Magazine also ranked the university as the best college or university in the Buffalo-Niagara region in 2017 when it comes to delivering the most value for a student's educational dollar.

Expanding in Ontario is not entirely a new step for the university as its College of Education has offered programmes in Ontario for more than 30 years.