NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

WEEKLY EMPLOYEE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Nov. 2, 2026

NIU Homepage | NIU Today | Student Announcements
 
 

📌 NOTICES

Celebrating Native American Culture, Community and Contributions

Native American Heritage Month

Join us throughout November for Native American Heritage Month events and explore the histories, cultures and contemporary experiences of Native American peoples and communities.

View the Native American Heritage Month events calendar →

Libraries Adopts Approved Template Requirement for Poster Printing

Beginning November 1, 2026, University Libraries will only print posters created using the Clearinghouse-approved poster templates available on the Libraries' website.

If your academic conference requires a specific template that is not among the approved options, you must provide a cost center number from your department to cover the printing cost. Posters that do not use a Clearinghouse-approved template and do not have department funding will not be accepted for printing.

Please direct any questions to lib-admin@niu.edu.

Recommend a Student for LeaderShape!

Student Leadership

Do you know an NIU student who has the potential to be a great leader? Recommend them for the LeaderShape Institute, a four-day leadership experience taking place Jan. 4–7, 2027, at Loyola University Retreat and Ecology Campus! Students will explore their values, develop leadership skills, build meaningful connections, and learn what it means to lead with integrity.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to share this opportunity with students who would benefit from this experience!

Recommend a student today →

NO HUSKIE GOES HUNGRY

No Huskie Goes Hungry Food Drive Starts This Week! 

❤️ Huskies helping Huskies! 🖤

No Huskie Goes Hungry

We're challenging the NIU community to come together for the No Huskie Goes Hungry Food Drive! 

National statistics estimate that one in three college students faces inconsistent access to food, but together we can help ensure every Huskie has the food and essentials they need to succeed. 

How you can help:

🛒 Pick up an extra item on your next shopping trip. 
🥫 Donate non-perishable food and essential items. 
🧴 Give hygiene and personal care products. 
🤝 Encourage your friends, classmates and organizations to participate. 

When and Where to Drop Off Donations:

📅 Collection Dates: Thursday, Nov. 5; Tuesday, Nov. 17; and Thursday, Nov. 19
⏰ Drop-Off Time: noon to 3 p.m. 
📍 Donation Location: Holmes Student Center 

Most needed items include: 

  • Fresh fruit: bananas, apples, oranges, mango, etc. 
  • Fresh vegetables: packaged spinach, lettuce, peppers, etc. 
  • Frozen items: microwavable meals, juice, small bags of frozen fruit and vegetables. 
  • Pasta sauce. 
  • Condiments: salad dressing, ketchup and mustard 
  • Spices: salt and pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, etc. 
  • Cleaning products: detergent, dish soap, paper towels. 
  • Hygiene products: soap, shampoo, deodorant, feminine products. 

Every Donation Matters! Whether it's one can of soup or a full bag of groceries, your contribution helps support fellow students right here at NIU. 

Let's show what it means to be Huskie Strong and prove that when one Huskie needs support, the whole pack steps up. Together, we can make sure No Huskie Goes Hungry. 

Huskie Trek Talks Poposal Deadine Extended Through Nov. 8 

Faculty and staff interested in submitting a proposal are encouraged to watch the recorded How to Build a Trek Talk Proposal presentation for guidance on developing a compelling proposal and understanding the submission process. Don't miss this opportunity to share your ideas and compete for funding. The deadline to submit proposals for Huskie Trek Talks is 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026.

Submit your proposal →

Turn Bold Ideas Into Breakthrough Partnerships

Connect with researchers, innovators and business leaders at the Voucher University Mixer at NIU Naperville on Tuesday, Nov. 10 from 4 to 6 p.m.. This after-work event brings together Illinois universities and small and medium-sized businesses to explore research and development partnerships. Attendees will hear from past Illinois Innovation Voucher recipients, network with potential collaborators and learn how the Illinois Innovation Voucher Program can provide up to $75,000 in R&D funding. Learn more about the event and register to attend. 

NIU 403(b) Supplemental Retirement Plan Approved Vendor on Campus Appointments

Northern Illinois University sponsors the Northern Illinois University Supplemental Retirement Plan – Internal Revenue Code Section 403(b) (“Plan”). As an employee of Northern Illinois University receiving compensation reportable on a W-2, you are eligible to voluntarily elect to invest a portion of your compensation to the Plan to supplement your retirement savings. The Plan allows employees to make tax-deferred (pre-tax) and/or Roth option (after-tax) 403(b) investment contributions.

The approved Vendor in the Plan will be holding on campus appointments to provide individual financial counseling. Whether you are currently enrolled in the Plan or seeking additional information for future enrollment, the vendor listed below has provided a link to their company information and the dates of their future appointments for those who would like individual financial counseling.   

Chad Stein, TIAA representative, will be on campus Nov. 5, 2026.  You can make an appointment by calling 800-842-2252  or by making an appointment online. For more information, visit www.tiaa.org

To obtain more information on the NIU Supplemental Retirement Plan 403(b), please visit the Human Resource Services website.

Join Us for Fix Your Content Day on Nov. 10

Join colleagues across NIU for a campus-wide event focused on improving digital accessibility and preparing for the Title II accessibility standards. Fix Your Content Day includes panel discussions, workshops, and hands-on opportunities to make your digital course materials more inclusive. As part of the global Blackboard Ally Accessibility Challenge, every fix you make counts toward NIU’s progress on the worldwide leaderboard. Register once to attend the morning panel, workshops, or drop-in sessions—or simply join the challenge by making fixes through Blackboard Ally on Nov. 10. Each edit moves us closer to an inclusive digital learning environment for all Huskies. Learn more and register.

Help Students Find Your Low or No-Cost Materials Courses in MyNIU

Do you teach a course with zero-cost or low-cost course materials? NIU students can search for and filter to find class sections that use affordable course materials (required books, textbooks, ebooks, streaming video, CDs or DVDs) at the time of registration.

To ensure that the courses you teach with free or low-cost course materials are identified for students in MyNIU, please notify your department course scheduler and department chair of your upcoming term courses that should be designated as either low-cost (total course materials cost of $40 or less) or zero-cost textbook courses.

Visit our Affordable Materials Course Designator webpage for more information and FAQs

250 Years. 250 Words. We Want to Hear Your Perspective!

The founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. WNIJ, your local public radio station, wants to know – what’s it like living in America 250 years later?

We want to hear your unique viewpoint as a parent, an educator, an immigrant, a student, an artist, an athlete, a neighbor, a resident of this nation. Whoever you are, we want to know what you’re thinking about at this milestone in American history.

Visit the WNIJ website to learn more and submit your Perspective.

Upcoming Career Services Events and Opportunities

Career Services has several upcoming events to help students strengthen their professional skills, explore career opportunities, and connect with employers. Please share these opportunities with your students.

  • Nov. 5: Resume Ready Series Part 4: Beating Resume Bots 
  • Nov. 12: Huskies Get Hired 101 This workshop is for faculty and staff and is not open to students.
  • Nov. 13: AI in the Workplace: Employer Insights and Expectations 
  • Dec. 2: Woodward Tech Talk 

Faculty and staff who are interested in hiring student employees are encouraged to attend Huskies Get Hired 101 to learn more about using the system. Please encourage your students to participate in the student-focused events and take advantage of these opportunities to build career readiness skills and connect with employers!

Give Your Spring 2027 Syllabus a Career Boost!

Spring semester will be here before we know it! Help students plan ahead by adding NIU’s Spring 2027 Career Fairs to your course syllabus. Career fairs are a great way for students to explore internships and full-time opportunities, practice networking, and meet employers looking for Huskie talent.

Even a quick reminder in class or a calendar link in Blackboard can help a student take that first step toward their future career!

 

👏 APPLAUD A COLLEAGUE

Applaud a Colleague is a show of appreciation for those coworkers who go above and beyond. These are just a few of the employees throughout the university who go the extra mile:

  • Vanessa Poling
  • Corie Wild
Read recent applause →
Applaud a colleague →
 

🗓 UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Monday, Nov. 2: PI-Centric Model Launch Session
  • Monday, Nov. 2: Celebrate Mission's 4th Birthday
  • Wednesday, Nov. 4: Native American Heritage Month Zine Drop -In
  • Wednesday, Nov. 4: Women in STEM featuring So Yoon Ahn, Ph.D.
  • Wednesday, Nov. 4: NIU STEAM Café: Responding to Food Systems Challenges
  • Wednesday, Nov. 4: P FKN R: How Bad Bunny Became the Global Voice of Puerto Rican Resistance
  • Thursday, Nov. 5: No Huskie Goes Hungry Food Drive Drop Off Day
  • Thursday, Nov. 5: Ink and Identity: Comics and Storytelling with Jim Terry
  • Friday, Nov. 6: FAFSA Fridays!
  • Friday, Nov. 6: Nachos Day at Qdoba
  • Friday, Nov. 6 through Sunday, Nov. 8: School of Theatre and Dance presents - Gross Indecency: The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde
  • Sunday, Nov. 8: EXTENDED: Huskie Trek Talk proposal deadline
  • Sunday, Nov. 8: NIU Percussion Ensemble Fall Concert
  • Friday, Nov. 13: NIU Department of History's Meeting of Minds -- Revolution!
  • Tuesday, Nov. 17: No Huskie Goes Hungry Food Drive Drop Off Day
  • Thursday, Nov. 19: No Huskie Goes Hungry Food Drive Drop Off Day

NIU STEAM Café: Responding to Food Systems Challenges

Nov. 4, 2026 at 6:30 p.m.
Prairie State Winery 

Join us at the next STEAM Café to learn how NIU is responding to current food system challenges through the Edible Campus program. Edible Campus Assistant Director Laura Fehling and Garden Manager Steve Schultz will discuss the vulnerabilities of the current food system, advances in sustainable and regenerative farming, and innovative ways to grow food at home and adapt to current changes.

Learn more about the event →
NIU STEAM Cafe

Treinta y Tres: Rhythms of Resistance: Music, Performance, and Cultural Expression

Nov. 12-13,  2026 

The Center for Latino and Latin American Studies enthusiastically invites you to attend it's 8th annual conference Treinta y tres "Rhythms of Resistance: Latin American and Latinx Music, Performance and Cultural Expression" on Nov. 12-13, 2026. We are incredibly excited for this year's programming. We hope to see you for either the online panel or the in-person panel at the Latino Center.

Learn more about the event  and register→
Treinta y tres
 
View the NIU Events Calendar →
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Submit an event →

Tip: Submit your event, lecture, training session or deadline to the NIU calendar to inform Huskies about everything that is happening on campus. 

Don't Miss It.
 

⏱ DEADLINES

  • Sunday, Nov. 8: Huskie Trek Talks proposal deadline
  • Sunday, Jan. 31, 2027: Excellence in Online Teaching Award nomination deadline
 

🗞 FROM NIU TODAY

ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge

HUSKIES VOTE

NIU honored for nonpartisan civic engagement efforts

NIU has earned the Highly Established Action Plan Seal from the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge for the 2026 election cycle, recognizing the university’s commitment to student participation in democracy.

Read more →

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Northern Illinois University's vision is to be an engine for innovation to advance social mobility; promote personal, professional and intellectual growth; and transform the world through research, artistry, teaching and outreach. Learn more about NIU’s vision, mission and values.