Niagara University awarded $500,000 HECap Grant

By Niagara University 

Niagara University’s Holzschuh College of Business Administration has been awarded a $500,000 Higher Education Capital Matching Grant for the construction of a facility to house the Centers for Food Industry Innovation and Supply Chain Excellence. The facility, which will be located in Bisgrove Hall, will include an innovation hub, a classroom of the future, and a business technology lab.

“This funding builds on the university’s academic excellence within the Holzschuh College of Business Administration, providing the space and resources necessary to further elevate our work in preparing students to become the engaged, global thought leaders necessary for the future of these dynamic industries,” said the Rev. James J. Maher, Niagara University president. “The Center for Excellence also strengthens the university’s partnerships in the fields of food and supply chain in Western New York, creating more opportunities for career pathway experiences for our students within these growing industries.”

Niagara’s interdisciplinary food industry leadership program enables students to gain valuable experience and knowledge about the vast and diverse food industry while they pursue their chosen academic field. Recognized experts and professionals in the fields of food logistics, global food systems, and food supply chain management teach the classes, assuring that the courses are current and relevant.

Niagara is also expanding its current supply chain management course offerings. This expansion of offerings has been developed with the guidance of an advisory board consisting of distinguished supply chain executives from the U.S. and Canada to better prepare students for work in logistics, transportation and global trade.

Together, these programs form the foundation of an innovative, multidisciplinary initiative that meets current and emerging needs in the food industry. These include meeting the increased demand for organic and locally sourced food, an increased emphasis on farm-to-table systems, and developing the supply chain expertise necessary for moving the food materials from sourcing to the final consumers.

More than $63.5 million in grants were awarded for 30 capital projects at New York’s independent colleges and universities. The HECap grant applications are reviewed and scored by the New York State Higher Education Capital Investment Review Board, a three-member board whose members are appointed by the governor, the Senate majority leader, and the Assembly speaker. For every $1 in state matching funds, private, not-for-profit colleges and universities in New York must provide $3 in support of their projects.