Monday Morning Announcements for faculty and staff.
 

April 14, 2025

NIU Homepage | NIU Today | Student Announcements
 

Notices

Join us at the upcoming faculty and staff award ceremonies.

Each year members of the NIU community are presented with presidential awards in recognition of professional success and contributions to the university. Come and celebrate the recipients of this year's university faculty and staff awards. Both ceremonies will be held in Altgeld Hall Auditorium from 3 to 5 p.m. 

Thursday, April 17: Faculty Awards Ceremony 
Thursday, April 24: University Staff Awards Ceremony

 

Applications now being accepted for the 2025-26 Staff Professional Development Academy cohort.

The Staff Professional Development Academy is a yearlong, cohort style program that both promotes professional development and creates a network of leaders across campus. We aim to have diverse cohorts with representation across campus and encourage staff at all levels to apply. Learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply by visiting the Office of the President's website.

Thursday, April 10: Staff Professional Development Academy Informational Session
Thursday, April 17: Staff Professional Development Academy Informational Session

Deadline for applications is May 1, 2025.

Learn more.
 

Volunteers needed for commencement.

We look forward to celebrating our graduates during commencement ceremonies Friday, May 9, 2025 and Saturday, May 10, 2025 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 Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

 

Huskie Food Pantry Community, Alumni, Faculty and Staff Volunteer Week May 6-8, 2025.

NIU alumni, faculty, staff and community members are invited to volunteer at our Huskie Food Pantry during finals week. Your volunteer participation carries on the legacy of genuine care among our NIU community. Our student shoppers always enjoy the supportive spirit you bring to the pantry, and our student leaders and volunteers appreciate the chance to focus on their final projects and tests.

Pantry shifts run from Tuesday, May 6 through Thursday, May 8. Learn more and register at our HFP volunteer registration page for community, alumni, and faculty and staff (current and retired).  

Shift openings, May 6-8, 2025:

  • Tuesday, May 6: Prep the pantry, 9 to 11 a.m.
  • Wednesday, May 7: Food delivery, 8:30 to 11 a.m.
  • Wednesday, May 7: Open pantry, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, May 8: Prep the pantry, 9 to 11 a.m.
  • Thursday, May 8: Open pantry, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.
 

Sponsored Programs Administration, Monday Money Matters: Nonfinancial Award Actions

Join Sponsored Programs Administration Monday, April 28, 2025, for our sixth session of virtual open houses to focus on various aspects of grants management. This session will cover nonfinancial award actions (prior approvals, no-cost extensions, change in personnel). Each session will include a Q&A segment. Our final session will be Monday, May 12, 2025, and will cover time and effort. If interested, please register and join. For more information and to register for our last two sessions, please visit our Sponsored Programs Newsblog.

 

Join us at the Wellness Fair.

Counseling and Consultation Services and Employee Well-being proudly presents NIU’s annual Wellness Fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 16 in the Holmes Student Center’s Duke Ellington Ballroom. Faculty, staff and students are all invited to attend and engage in the variety of free opportunities offered at the fair. Campus and community partners will provide attendees with interactive activities, services and information focused on “Healthy Body, Healthy Mind and Healthy Spirit.” Additional interactive wellness opportunities include free workshops featuring healthy eating, fitness tips, mental health support training and more.

A release for staff will be granted and more information will be announced in the following weeks. The NIU Wellness Fair is offered in partnership with and sponsorship by the Presidential Commission on Well-being. Interested in hosting a table at the fair? Contact us at Employeewellbeing@niu.edu for more information.

 

Join NIU Recreation for Spring Into Wellness Week.

Spring into Wellness Week is here! Join us from April 14-18 for a week of fun and wellness activities at the Recreation Center. Whether you're into badminton, pickleball, basketball, bags, or more, there's something for everyone!

Spring into Wellness Week Features:

  • Free one-week membership for all faculty and staff – no membership required to join the fun!
  • Already have a membership? Bring a friend, and you’ll earn a free month on your membership.
  • Come try out the Rec and get a free fitness orientation to kickstart your wellness journey!
  • In addition, there will be campus-wide events focused on wellness, mental health, and self-care throughout the week.

For more details and to sign up for activities, visit niu.edu/recreation.

Let's make this Spring into Wellness Week a celebration of health, fitness, and community!

 

Week of Welcome (WOW) 2025.

WOW 2025 is set for Wednesday, Aug. 20 through Sunday, Aug. 24 and we’re excited to introduce theme-based schedule tracks to help new Huskies navigate their first week at NIU! These tracks will allow students to prioritize academic readiness, well-being, social connections or Huskie Pride while experiencing a well-rounded extended orientation.

WOW is a campus-wide effort, and we invite faculty, staff and other campus partners to get involved by submitting event proposals, volunteering or accepting the invitation to participate in a planning group. The WOW Event Proposal form is now open! To learn more or get involved, visit the WOW webpage or contact Orientation and First Year Programs. Let’s make WOW 2025 an unforgettable welcome for our newest Huskies!

 

Sponsored Programs Administration announces: Award closeout notifications.

Starting May 1, Sponsored Programs Administration (SPA) will send automated email notifications to principal investigators (PIs) at 120, 90, 60 and 30 days before an award's end date. These reminders will guide PIs through key closeout tasks. SPA's goal is to support PIs in meeting all closeout requirements efficiently and on time. For more information, please visit our Sponsored Programs Administration Newsblog.

 

Registration for NIU Volleyball Camp now open.

Looking to enhance your volleyball skills? NIU Volleyball offers camps just for you!

  • Huskie Skills.
  • Huskie Pups.
  • Serving Clinic.

NIU staff and employees are eligible for a discount. Please email Mackenzie Rombach (mrombach@niu.edu) with your NIU email and the camp you would like to sign up for to receive your discount code.

Register for NIU Volleyball camp today.

 

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 that go the extra mile:

  • Natasha McPartlin
  • Haider Thahab
Read recent applause and applaud a colleague for a job well done.
 

Upcoming Events

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

  • Through April 30: Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Month
  • Through April 30: Earth Month 2025
  • Monday, April 14 through Friday, April 18: Spring Into Wellness 2025
  • Monday, April 14: SPA Monday Money Matters: Research Security/Biosketches/Science CV
  • Monday, April 14: Period Project Empowerment Party
  • Monday, April 14: Crafting Connections
  • Tuesday, April 15: NICCS on Tuesdays at 71 North
  • Tuesday, April 15: Introductory Commercial Card Training
  • Tuesday, April 15: Ellington's: Penne alla Vodka with Italian Sausage, Stuffed Spinach Ravioli with Mushrooms, Italian Roasted Potatoes, Garlic Lemon Parmesan Zucchini, Caprese Salad Chicken, Gnocchi Soup and Cannoli Cheesecake
  • Tuesday, April 15: Students: From Awareness to Action: Combating the Barriers to Disclosure of Sexual Violence
  • Tuesday, April 15: Procrastination Café
  • Tuesday, April 15: Reality Bytes Film Festival
  • Wednesday, April 15: Food Truck Wednesdays
  • Wednesday, April 16: Wellness Fair
  • Wednesday, April 16: NIU Wellness Fair: Therapy Dogs
  • Wednesday, April 16: NIU Wellness Fair Workshop: Sensory Playground
  • Wednesday, April 16: NIU Wellness Fair Workshop: Arts and Crafts Zone
  • Wednesday, April 16: NIU Wellness Fair Workshop: Fitness That Fits You
  • Wednesday, April 16: NIU Wellness Fair Workshop: A.S.K. Like a Huskie — Mental Health Support Training
  • Wednesday, April 16: NIU Wellness Fair Workshop: Waste Less, Nourish More
  • Wednesday, April 16: NIU Wellness Fair Workshop: Worry Bash!
  • Wednesday, April 16: Northern Star 2000 Time Capsule Opening
  • Wednesday, April 16: 2025 Diversity and Inclusion Summit
  • Wednesday, April 16: Jade Mathis presents "The Mind: A War Won with Resilience"
  • Wednesday, April 16: From Awareness to Action: Combating the Barriers to Disclosure of Sexual Violence - campus and community event
  • Wednesday, April 16: Artist talk by Deb Sokolow
  • Wednesday, April 16: Advancing Sustainability in Northern Illinois
  • Wednesday, April 16: Reality Bytes Film Festival
  • Wednesday, April 16: Pop-up Procrastination Café
  • Thursday, April 17: Staff Professional Development Academy Informational Session
  • Thursday, April 17: Faculty Awards Ceremony
  • Thursday, April 17: A.S.K. Like a Huskie: Free Mental Health Support Training
  • Thursday, April 17: Neptune Dining's Future-Themed Dinner
  • Thursday, April 17: NIU Student Showcase
  • Thursday, April 17: "Dream On!" Participatory Short Story and Poetry Night
  • Thursday, April 17: Michael Rodríguez-Muñiz, Ph.D.
  • Friday, April 18: NIU History-Con 2025
  • Friday, April 18: Chem Demo Night
  • Monday, April 28: SPA Monday Money Matters: Non-Financial Award Actions (Prior Approvals, No Cost Extensions, Change in Personnel)
 
All upcoming events
Huskie Athletics' events
Concerts, exhibits and performances
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion events
 

Deadlines

  • Wednesday, April 30: Commmencement volunteer sign-up deadline
  • Thursday, May 1: Staff Professional Development Academy Application Deadline
  • Friday, May 16: Deadline for nominations to serve on Presidential Commissions
 

From NIU Today

Pritzker and Freeman

NIU President Lisa Freeman takes part in Gov. Pritzker’s trade mission to Mexico

NIU President Lisa C. Freeman traveled to Mexico City on a trade mission last week with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton and a large delegation of government, business and civic leaders from across the state.

Read more.

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