June 2026

Greetings,

I’m so excited to be back from maternity leave and reconnect with you as we help students prepare for their transition to NIU. As graduation celebrations begin and students look ahead to orientation and advising, this is the perfect time to make sure all the final details are in place for a smooth start this fall.

A few important reminders to share with students and families:

Submit final high school transcripts with a graduation date, signature and date included.
Updated GPA? Students whose GPA improved may be reconsidered for scholarship opportunities. Submit updated transcripts for automatic consideration.
Send dual credit, AP and IB scores early so credits can be evaluated before advising appointments.
Complete placement testing prior to orientation to support efficient advising and accurate course placement. These steps can also help maximize transferable credit and reduce future costs.
Update email addresses if students currently use a high school email account, since access may end after graduation.
Stay alert for scams related to scholarships, financial aid or password resets. When in doubt, students should contact the institution directly before sharing personal information.

Summer is also a great time for rising juniors and seniors to begin their college search journey. NIU remains open throughout the summer, and our smaller tour sizes create a more personalized campus visit experience. With so many activities happening on campus, there’s no better time to come explore NIU.

Mayra Lagunas, Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Services and Director of Admissions

Thank you, as always, for your partnership and for the care you continue to provide students during this important transition. We’re proud to be part of their support team.

Warmly,

Mayra S. Lagunas (she/her/ella)
Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Services and

Director of Admissions

Showcasing student research and engagement

NIU’s recent 2026 CURE (Conference on Undergraduate Research and Engagement) program highlighted the depth and diversity of student research across campus. More than 300 students presented research, artistry and engagement projects. This event underscored how Huskies are actively engaging in discovery, applying classroom knowledge to real-world questions and building skills that prepare them for graduate study and professional careers.

HUSKIE SPOTLIGHT

"Conducting research has opened many opportunities for me. Thanks to Research Rookies, I was able to learn valuable skills, such as finding credible and helpful sources from around the world.”

— Taoheed Adeoye, a biological sciences major from Aurora, Illinois.

Innovation at the forefront

NIU is gaining national recognition for innovation. Our university recently earned Insight Into Academia magazine’s inaugural 2026 Top Colleges for Innovation Award, highlighting our forward-thinking approach to higher education and student success. Innovation and research were also on display through Huskie Trek Talks: Ideas in Motion, an annual showcase of groundbreaking research and creative problem-solving led by NIU faculty, staff and students.

Students explore responsible AI use

Through hands-on research, students are examining how AI is reshaping education and creative fields. Aspiring school superintendents in the College of Education are learning about AI and its responsible implementation in K–12 schools, focusing on ethical use, policy considerations and instructional impact. At the same time, art and design students are researching how high school art teachers are integrating AI into their classrooms, exploring how emerging tools influence creativity, teaching practices and student learning. Together, these projects highlight NIU’s commitment to preparing future educators and artists to thoughtfully engage with rapidly evolving technologies.

Partnership program graduates new teachers

Speaking of future educators, NIU’s Rockford RISE program has graduated 18 new teachers, marking a major milestone in a collaborative effort to strengthen the educator pipeline in Rockford. Launched in 2024, Rockford Inspiring School and Community Excellence (RISE) supports Rockford Public Schools paraprofessionals in becoming licensed teachers through a Grow Your Own Illinois grant. This initiative is a partnership between NIU, Rockford Public Schools, Rock Valley College, YMCA of Rock River Valley and the Wabongo Leadership Council.

Huskies Capture Historic MAC Baseball Championship

Building on a year of standout Huskie achievements across campus, the baseball team delivered a historic breakthrough by winning the 2026 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Baseball Championship. NIU defeated Toledo 5–1 to secure the program’s first-ever conference tournament title. This victory marks a milestone moment for NIU baseball and sends the Huskies into NCAA postseason competition as conference champions.

Upcoming Events

June 15, summer classes begin.
June 19, Juneteenth. (University closed.)

HUSKIE HEADLINES

The Muon g-2 ring at Fermilab. Photo courtesy of Fermilab

NIU professors, alumni from physics and engineering share in $3 million Breakthrough Prize

Keith Wakeman, CEO of SuperBetter, presenting at NIU’s 71 North Partnership Studio.

SuperBetter Classroom, a collaboration between NIU and SuperBetter, works to improve teacher and student well-being

U.S. landslide risks are growing — and could expand to new regions

Additional Resources

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Resources for High School Counselors

Office of Undergraduate Admissions

Northern Illinois University
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Williston Hall
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-753-0446