Leadership Team

As dean of the College of Education from 2016 to 2023, she launched the college's Partnering to Lead and Empower District-Grown Educators program to address the teacher shortage while meeting future teachers and school leaders where they are. Her team also signed two dozen 2+2 agreements giving students at community colleges seamless transfer pathways to NIU College of Education bachelor's degrees. She also became a powerful voice in Springfield, advocating for or against legislation or proposed policy changes that impact educator preparation.

The Distinguished Engagement Professor and Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction previously served as director of NIU's Jerry L. Johns Literacy Clinic and co-director of the Center for the Interdisciplinary Study of Language and Literacy.

Professional roles off campus include serving as president of the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers, chair of the Illinois Association of Deans of Public Colleges of Education and as a member of the board of directors of the International Literacy Association and the Alignment Collaborative for Education governing board.

Elish-Piper holds a Ph.D. from the University of Akron, a M.S.Ed. from Purdue University and a B.S.Ed. from Saint Joseph's College.

Her research examines literacy leadership, literacy coaching, teacher professional development, literacy assessment, family engagement and struggling readers. In 2021, she received the A.B. Herr Award for outstanding contributions to the field of reading.

She oversaw TTU's First Generation Transition and Mentoring Program, Dream Resource Center, Office of LGBTQIA Education and Engagement, TRIO Student Support Services, the Office of Academic Enrichment and more. She also was instrumental in TTU maintaining its designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution.

Sumner earned bachelor's and master's degrees at Illinois State University and her Ed.D. from Arizona State University.

Among numerous initiatives throughout the NIU campus and beyond to establish an equity-minded community, the Division of Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion offers a wealth of training, resources and programs through Prevention, Education and Outreach and Social Justice Education, as well as through each of NIU's diversity and cultural resource centers.

Holding a Ph.D. in public administration from Rutgers University-Newark, she has served as a Provost Fellow since July 2021, facilitating faculty leadership development initiatives. She was primarily responsible for the Emerging Faculty Leadership Program that launched in fall 2021.

Responsibilities of the vice provost for Academic Affairs include undergraduate curriculum, academic standards and admissions policies; oversight of the undergraduate academic support units and the preparation and editing of the undergraduate catalog; and coordination of certain state and institutional programs related to undergraduate education, such as the Illinois Articulation Initiative.

Gordon became the associate vice president for global affairs and faculty development in the Division of Academic Affairs and the Division of Research and Innovation Partnerships in July, 2025. Bridging divisions in this role, Gordon supports alignments among faculty success initiatives, international education and research development.

Holding a Ph.D. and M.P.P in public policy from the University of Chicago and a B.S. in psychology from Penn State University, Gordon previously spent over two decades jointly appointed as a professor in the sociology department at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and in the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois System.

Responsibilities of the vice provost for Faculty Affairs include fostering faculty engagement and development, facilitating the faculty tenure and promotion and sabbatical processes, assisting with faculty-related concerns and needs, providing guidance on faculty personnel matters, and recognizing faculty excellence and contributions.

Holding a Ph.D. in adult, professional, and community education from Texas State University, and executive certifications from Stanford University's Graduate School of Business and Harvard University's Graduate School of Education, Reneau is actively involved in university-wide efforts to advance equity, reduce achievement gaps and strengthen campus climate. His work includes developing strategic inclusive excellence frameworks and addressing complex challenges such as crisis response and student retention.

Through collaborative partnerships and innovative practices, Reneau drives transformative initiatives that reflect NIU's mission to empower students and create inclusive communities.