John Acardo

What year did you start working at NIU?
2023

Where is your hometown? and where do you live now?
My hometown is Rockford and I now live in DeKalb.

Where did you attend school? What degree(s) did you earn?
I have a B.S. from NIU and an MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management.

Describe your typical day—what do you do while at work?
My main responsibility is to oversee and manage all of the operations of Human Resource Services. My day varies depending on the type of activities the HRS team is working on. HRS deals with payroll, coordinating recruitment, employee and labor relations, benefits and leaves, employee experience, responding to public requests and providing detailed reports on employment to branch leaders on campus, to name a few.

What do you like about working at NIU?
The people. People make NIU possible, and I have been overjoyed interacting with my colleagues on campus. Everyone is so dedicated to our mission and values and ready to support in any way they can. It is such a joy to hear how we (faculty and staff) are so focused on seeing our students cross that stage when they complete their degree.

What advice would you give to students currently attending NIU?
College is a defining moment in your life. It is an experience that defines who you will become, whether you are 18 or 48. One thing that my college experience at NIU taught me is to never forget to ask for help or support. In addition to a world-class education, college taught me the value of the relationships you make and maintain — they truly can make the difference.

What is important for students to know about the office/department that you work in? What student services does your office provide?
For students, HRS is where you go for any support regarding your student employment on campus. We are here to help with payroll support and to make sure your employment experience helps prepare you for your future career.

In what ways do you see your colleagues help student success?
Employment recruitment is a key part of building affinity with thousands of people, many of whom will not be selected for employment. It is vital that HRS focus on maintaining strong relationships with this population, as many of them are from our region and will themselves (or have family that may) consider attending NIU. Building a positive experience even before they are students is critical. We also are here to support our student retention efforts. Working to enhance the student employment experience can help ensure students earn money while they learn, and responding to their needs also helps with our overall retention efforts.

What is your favorite memory of NIU?
I have many (as I attended NIU for my undergrad). I would say, however, Homecoming(s) are my fondest memory as my undergrad friends and I continued to make the trek to Huskie Stadium post-graduation to enjoy the Huskies and reconnect.

What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of?
Organizational change has its challenges, and it can be tough. My proudest moment(s) have been deploying HR solutions that give data transparency back to stakeholders, including employees. Seeing the anxiety and fear of the unknown be reduced by instant access to data makes the sometimes-challenging road of change worth it in the end.

What fulfills you personally and professionally?
Supporting my team and seeing them achieve professional growth. My passion is supporting people and my proudest moments are seeing my team grow and develop.

Which of NIU’s core values align with your own?
It's hard for me not to say all of them. I am genuinely curious and will always challenge with "why" to find ways I can support our employees. I am committed to high ethics and integrity, which I believe helps ensure equity within our systems. It is important to me to champion our values of inclusion and to meet people where they are at to support them on their professional journey. And lastly, I view myself as a servant leader, who focuses on mentorship and service to the entire campus community.

Have you contributed to any NIU Foundation fundraising campaigns such as the Day of Giving or Huskies United? If yes, why did you decided to support NIU?
I have in the past and plan to (still a new employee yet) in the future. NIU played a critical role in defining who I am today. Giving helps make that dream possible for those who need it most.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you currently doing it? If not, what changed your path?
I stumbled into HR, as many in the profession do. When I was young and growing up, I wanted to work for Lego. If you visit me at HRS, you will see I still maintain a collection of the sets!

Are you participating in or have you participated in any NIU shared governance or professional development groups? If so, how has your participation enhanced your experience as an employee?
I have participated in several meetings so far but have not had any opportunity yet to fully engage as I am so new to the organization. In my role, hearing from these groups is vital to HRS so that we might learn and respond to the needs of our employees.

Are you a member of or hold a position within a professional or community organization? If so, what organization? What is the purpose of that organization and how does being part of this organization benefit you in your role at NIU?
I am a member of the Society for Human Resource Management as an executive member. I am a member of the College and University Professional Association (CUPA) for Human Resources. Both of these professional organizations help keep me abreast of the latest trends in HR, both in and outside of industry.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
Spend lots of time with my family and running. Running is my escape. I hope any runners reading will join me in the DeKalb Corn Classic and the Sycamore Pumpkin Run, both of which I am training for now.

Do you have any hobbies or interesting personal pursuits you're involved with in your spare time?
As noted above, I love building Lego sets, reading (for some boring) management books on organizational design and success, seeing my kids play in their sports and running.