The Office of Online Learning at NIU is dedicated to providing comprehensive, personalized support to current and prospective fully online students.
We serve as a bridge between online learners and the broader NIU community - removing barriers, anticipating needs, and ensuring that every student has equitable access to the resources, guidance, and community they need to thrive academically, professionally, and personally:
To be transformative leaders in online education by creating seamless, inclusive, and empowering student experiences that redefine what it means to belong, succeed, and thrive in a digital learning environment.
We aspire to be a trusted partner on every online student’s journey, providing consistent, creative, and anticipatory support that enables learners to become the best version of themselves, regardless of where they are in the world.
We honor the diverse identities, goals, and experiences of our learners - including adult students, first-generation scholars, and military-affiliated individuals - by providing personalized, empathetic support in an inclusive environment where every student feels valued and belongs.
We are committed to removing barriers and expanding equitable access to high-quality online education. We champion our students’ needs and voices, ensuring they are heard and prioritized across the institution.
We embrace bold, creative solutions and proactively deliver timely information and resources, anticipating student needs to keep learners confident and prepared for success.
We partner across departments, faculty, staff, and students to foster a cohesive, supportive community that drives meaningful change and prepares learners for the future.
We provide clear, reliable communication and transparent processes, acting with urgency and care to support students while upholding accountability and respect.
We adapt our services to meet the complex realities of online learners, offering compassionate, flexible support that respects individual circumstances.
The Office of Online Learning has been named the 2025 recipient of the UPCEA Excellence in Advancing Student Success Award. This award recognizes an institution that has implemented a successful strategic initiative, project, or service that has resulted in significantly advancing the success of adult and/or non-traditional student audiences.