March 30, 2026

We look forward to celebrating our graduates during commencement ceremonies Friday, May 8, 2026 and Saturday, May 9, 2026 at the Convocation Center.

Please consider volunteering your time at these events to help make them successful for our graduates, families and guests. Volunteers are critical to creating fun, organized and celebratory events.

If you are able to help, and are not already participating through your academic college or the Graduate School, please visit the commencement volunteer website and fill out the volunteer form by no later than Monday, April 20, 2026.

Join us on Wednesday, April 1 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Huskie Den at the Holmes Student Center for an evening exploring how punk rock has served as a powerful form of expression and social commentary. The program opens with a brief presentation on punk’s role in responding to societal issues, followed by an intimate acoustic set and Q&A with Tim Rogner of Allister and Hot Alice. Experience an engaging blend of music, insight and conversation, unplugged and unfiltered.

Please consider joining us for our next Leadership Training Session for all faculty and staff. Coordinated by Human Resource Services and Employee Well-being and led by Holly Nicholson, University Marketing, the next panel discussion will explore “Self-Awareness and Self-Reflection” and will feature Fred Barnhart,  Dean of the University Libraries and Michael Newman, Coordinator of Huskie Den Activities in the Holmes Student Center. Our panelists will share their perspectives, approaches, and experiences with developing and maintaining methods for self-growth through increased self-awareness and reflection. Please join us on Thursday, April 2nd from 10:00 am – 11:00 am over Teams.  To register Go to campus training or call 753-9191

NIU faculty are invited to apply for the 2026 AI Curricular Innovation Grants, a competitive grant program supporting course redesign projects that thoughtfully integrate artificial intelligence into teaching and learning. This year’s program focuses specifically on AI-enabled course redesign. The grants will support faculty who wish to incorporate AI into course design, assignments, assessments or instructional practices in ways that strengthen student learning, engagement and career readiness.

Check out this news site post to learn more.

The Office of Research Development (ORD) invites faculty to apply for the spring 2027 University Grants Academy(UGA) by 4:30 p.m., April 15, 2026.

UGA is a semester-long experience designed to increase faculty capacity to obtain externally funded grants. Participants develop a complete, submission-ready proposal for submission at the next available deadline and within six months of completing the program.

Complete details are available in the UGA 2027 Guidelines document in InfoReady (Details section of the competition landing page).

Apply for the UGA.

If you have questions about the program or the submission process, please contact ord@niu.edu.

 The Presidential Commission on Well-being proudly presents NIU’s annual Well-being Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, April 16 in the Holmes Student Center’s Duke Ellington Ballroom.

Faculty, staff and students are all invited to attend and engage in a variety of free prizes, DIY self-care kits and opportunities to learn about your well-being. Campus and community partners will provide attendees with interactive activities, services and information focused on “Healthy Body, Healthy Mind and Healthy Spirit.”  A release for staff will be granted and more information will be announced in the following weeks.

Interested in hosting a table at the fair? Contact Sarah Moskal at smoskal1@niu.edu for more information.

Do you lead or oversee a volunteer leadership group like an alumni council or affinity group? Looking for ways to support their professional development? Your volunteer leaders may be interested in the 2026 Volunteer Leadership Summit. Learn about key university initiatives, leadership skills and build connections across the NIU community. Learn more and register by April 9.

Note: This is hosted by the NIU Foundation and is only for people, generally alumni, who volunteer their service on boards, councils or other such volunteer groups.

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 that go the extra mile:

The month of March is closing for all financial reporting activity at noon on Thursday, April 9th, 2026.  Journals not posted at that time will go into April business.  Submit March journals before end of business on Wednesday, April 8th.  Final March reports are scheduled to be available Friday April 10th, 2026.  In addition, April reports are scheduled to be available Monday, April 13th, 2026.  These dates, and other important dates related to the Controller’s Office can be found here: Calendars and Important Dates - NIU - Controller's Office.