Online Enrollment and Student Success Services

The Office of Online Learning supports the experience of NIU’s fully online learner student body of more than 1,100 students from their initial contact with NIU, through the application and admittance process, all the way to graduation.

Promotion of Online Programs

The Division of Enrollment Management, Marketing and Communication is developing capacity and capabilities for promoting online programs to potential students. This includes developing advertising campaigns, creating informational web pages, and other lead generation efforts.

Recruitment and Admissions

The Office of Online Learning’s team of dedicated Online Student Success Specialists respond promptly to prospective student requests for information. We proactively reach out to students via phone, email, and text to offer support, answer questions, confirm program eligibility, and equip prospective students with the information needed to make an informed decision about the next steps in their educational journey. The Office of Online Learning collaborates closely with program departments and service units across campus to refer students at the appropriate time and ensure students are being supported at each level of the enrollment funnel.

Student Success and Retention

The Online Learning team continues to support students post-admission through to the end of their program. This support includes assisting students with registration each semester, monitoring engagement in Blackboard, sending multiple reminders about key university deadlines, and referring students to appropriate resources and opportunities as needed. Our Online Student Success Specialists provide high-touch, concierge-level services and function as a one-stop shop in supporting NIU’s online student population. Our goal is to make sure students know they don’t have to navigate their experience as an online student alone and that they have a go-to point person to help them through to graduation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do online student success specialists serve as academic advisors?

No, online student success specialists and academic advisors have different roles. Our online student success specialists serve as a primary point of contact for students in selecting programs, offering ongoing support from enrollment through graduation. They regularly check in with students, send reminders about deadlines, connect them with university resources and professional development opportunities, and provide success coaching. While they handle course planning and registration, academic advisors focus on helping students understand degree requirements, prerequisites, and navigate academic challenges. Our specialists and academic advisors collaborate closely, each contributing to different aspects of the student experience.

Does the Office of Online Learning provide the same level of support for all the university’s online programs?

No, we provide two distinct levels of support for NIU’s online programs:

Tier 1

Our online student success specialists provide prompt follow-up to students that request information about an online program. The team utilizes a structured outreach framework that includes phone calls, emails, and text messages at various intervals to engage with prospective students and provide them with relevant information about specific programs and the application process. Admitted students are invited to attend an admitted student next steps webinar and are enrolled in the new online student orientation in Blackboard that is facilitated by our team. All online NIU programs receive this level of support.

Tier 2

In addition to the tier 1 services, tier 2 programs receive enhanced support throughout the student journey. This includes managing course plans, registering students for classes each semester, monitoring engagement, and providing ongoing and strategic check-ins. We also connect students with student services and professional development resources, intervene as appropriate to ensure a seamless experience for students, hold program-specific information sessions, partners on course preview opportunities, and facilitate additional opportunities like virtual open houses. Additionally, the team takes lead on developing and managing program specific automated CRM communications. The online programs identified as tier 2 include:

  • Bachelor of Science in Nursing for RNs
  • Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner and Nursing Education
  • Doctor of Nursing Practice
  • Master of Public Health
  • Master of Accountancy
  • Master of Business Administration
  • Master of Science in Data Analytics
  • Master of Science in Digital Marketing
What qualifications do online student success specialists have?
In addition to their current roles at NIU, each online student success specialist brings extensive experience in areas like admissions, advising, and enrollment management. They have all completed the 40-hour coaching essential practitioner training through the UCF Higher Education Coaching Academy, which aligns their practices with NIU’s commitment to student success. Additionally, many team members have personal experience as online students, both at NIU and elsewhere, further enhancing their ability to support NIU’s online student community effectively.

Contact Us

Center for Innovative
Teaching and Learning

Phone: 815-753-0595
Email: citl@niu.edu