Kevin Shepke

What year did you start working at NIU?
2017

Where is your hometown? and where do you live now?
Hoffman Estates, Illinois, is my hometown, and it’s where I live now.

Where did you attend school? What degree(s) did you earn?
Northern Illinois University, journalism, 2001

Describe your typical day—what do you do while at work?
Most of my day is spent working alongside our student-workers in the social media office and helping them with projects to promote our community and desk assistants, as well as the many programs and events Housing and Residential Services has to offer. When I'm not working with the students, I'm usually researching our next big project or continuing to keep our website up to date with the latest info for our student-residents, among many other duties.

What do you like about working at NIU?
Everything. To me, NIU is the best university around. While I didn't meet my wife here, I started my career and my family to a very large degree as both a student and staff member, first in athletics, then the Graduate School and now Housing and Residential Services.

What advice would you give to students currently attending NIU?
Enjoy your time as an NIU student and take advantage of everything the university has to offer. I've been involved with NIU for almost 25 years as a student and staff member, and I'm still learning new and exciting things about the Huskie community.

What is important for students to know about the office/department that you work in? What student services does your office provide?
Just how much Housing and Residential Services can offer you as a student-resident. As our mission statement says, “We are committed to providing a safe, supportive and educationally empowering community where students can learn, grow and be successful within a complex and diverse world. Through our facilities, programs and the collaborative efforts of our staff, student leaders and campus partners, we promote respect, individuality and personal responsibility.”

In what ways do you see your colleagues help student success?
They help provide an environment that promotes learning and growth in the broadest sense, through programs, services, training and technology, as well as an emphasis on academic success, student engagement and personal responsibility.

What is your favorite memory of NIU?
When the NIU football team beat all odds and made it to the Orange Bowl game in 2013.

What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of?
The way NIU has shaped me in becoming the utmost professional throughout my career. Without the help of faculty and staff members, both as a student and a staff member myself, I wouldn't have learned and continue to learn crucial life lessons.

What fulfills you personally and professionally?
Family and work/life balance.

Which of NIU’s core values align with your own?
All of them.

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?
Yes, I served as an ambassador for the NIU Day of Giving previously. I've supported NIU because I want to give back to what it has provided me.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you currently doing it? If not, what changed your path?
I wanted to be a professional athlete. I didn’t become one, but I was involved in athletics and sport for a quite a bit of my career. After a while though, I knew I wanted to work with college students, and I'm blessed I get to do that every day.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
I enjoy good times with family and friends at live events or hanging out at get-togethers.

Do you have any hobbies or interesting personal pursuits you're involved with in your spare time?
I am actively involved with helping out at Huskie athletic contests. Whether it's working live stats for volleyball, football, or men's and women's basketball, or helping with public address announcing for softball, I enjoy watching our NIU student-athletes in action!