April 20, 2026

Please help us spread the word to students. A federal system update on Sunday, April 26 will prevent NIU from loading new FAFSA records until a software fix is in place, which means financial aid offers for students who miss the priority deadline may not be available until July. Any student planning to enroll in 2026-27 must complete a FAFSA to receive a financial aid offer, and we are encouraging everyone to submit by Saturday, April 25 at studentaid.gov. If students have questions, they can contact the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office at finaid@niu.edu, call 815-753-1395 or stop by Swen Parson Hall 245, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Facilities Management and Campus Services is seeking applications from current NIU employees for the Director of Campus Services. This leadership role carries broad administrative authority to implement and manage the policies and procedures that keep the program functions of Campus Parking Services, Materials Management, and Transportation Services running.

The director will make independent decisions, collaborate across all levels of administration, supervisors, and staff, and drive outcomes that impact both the division and the wider university community. Strong judgment and a university-wide perspective are essential.

Interested employees can review the full posting and apply here: https://employment.niu.edu/postings/91495

Application deadline: Friday, May 8, 2026

Do you know a Supportive Professional Staff employee who goes above and beyond in their work, who is a positive force within their unit, and who exemplifies the "Huskie Spirit?" Then submit their name and a brief statement to the SPS Awards Committee for consideration by Friday, April 24, 2026. They are accepting nominations for the following awards:

Make your nomination today. More information on the SPS Awards can be found by visiting the Supportive Professional Staff Council's website. For questions contact SPSC President Felicia Bohanon at fbohanon@niu.edu.

The Certificate of Recognition Program was initiated in 2003 to acknowledge the contributions of SPS who have achieved accomplishments in addition to their regular job duties.

Certificates are presented for such accomplishments as:

Nominate yourself or a fellow SPS for a certificate of recognition by Monday, April 27. For questions contact SPSC President Felicia Bohanon at fbohanon@niu.edu.

Come celebrate the recipients of this year's faculty awards on Thursday, April 23 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Altgeld Auditorium. Learn more about this year's recipients by visiting NIU Today.

Help wrap up Undergraduate Research Month by attending the Conference on Undergraduate Research and Engagement (CURE) on Tuesday, April 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Duke Ellington Ballroom at the Holmes Student Center. Students from all colleges will showcase their research, artistry, creative inquiry and engagement projects. These can be part of a capstone project or senior project, faculty-mentored research, including community-engaged research, community engagement project or course, class research projects, independent studies, or funded research and artistry projects. 

Faculty mentors play an extremely important role in the development of the next generation of researchers. Research Rookies faculty mentors guide undergraduate students who are brand new to research through the research or artistry process by providing hands-on opportunities to engage in a research project.

If you are interested in mentoring an undergraduate student through the Research Rookies program this academic year, please complete the interest survey.

The NIU Operating Staff Council (OSC) has five vacancies to fill this year. All five vacancies will be for three-year terms, starting July 1, 2026.

We are an integral part of NIU’s shared governance system through our participation, communication, advisement and assistance on the resolution of issues and the formulation of policies relevant to the general welfare of all operating staff employees. The OSC is committed to performing our duties in a professional and conscientious manner in the furtherance of the NIU mission.  The Council meets at 9 a.m. on the first Thursday of the month, 12 months a year.  Currently all meetings are in a hybrid format — in person and online via Teams. 

If you are:

Then the OSC encourages you to run.

Complete the Candidate Data Form. Deadline for submitting the Candidate Data Form is 11:59 p.m. Thursday, April 30. Electronic voting will begin Thursday, May 7 and will run through 11:59 p.m. Friday, May 22.

Questions regarding elections? Contact Jay Monteiro, election committee chair, Operating Staff Council at jmonteiro@niu.edu.

You asked, and we heard you! The Office of Research Development (ORD) is pleased to announce a Summer Writing Retreat to be held Aug. 10 to 14, 2026.  

The writing retreat is designed to provide faculty time and space away from typical day-to-day work and personal responsibilities to focus on core writing projects that will advance their research, scholarship and creative activities. The program involves a full week of focused writing and gatherings with co-participants and provides lodging, meals, summer salary and dependent care funds if needed. 

Applications are due May 4, 2026. 

Visit the ORD InfoReady portal to learn more and apply. Click the Summer Writing Retreat hyperlink to access the application portal and complete program guidelines.

Please contact ord@niu.edu with questions about the program or application process. 

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. Deadline for applications is May 1, 2026.