NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
|
|
|
FAFSA Priority Deadline Alert: April 25
|
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.
|
|
|
|
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH MONTH
|
|
|
Faculty: Become a Research Rookies Mentor for the 2026-27 Academic Year
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Human Resource Services Offices Closed Monday, April 6.
|
Human Resource Services (HRS) offices will be closed on Monday, April 6 for an all-day staff meeting. HRS staff will respond to all emails/voicemails as soon as they are able, and offices will re-open to in-person traffic at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7.
|
|
|
|
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH MONTH
|
|
|
Huskie Trek Talks: Ideas in Motion returns April 18
|
|
|
|
You are invited to attend Huskie Trek Talks: Ideas in Motion Friday, April 18, in the Black Box Theatre in the Stevens Building on NIU’s DeKalb campus. A virtual option is also available for those who prefer to attend online. Register today to attend this free event online or in person.
Huskie Trek Talks brings campus innovators together with community members to witness the research and discovery happening at NIU and spark discussions that lead to impactful partnerships and idea advancements. This event will feature exclusive, TED Talk-style presentations from faculty, staff and students showcasing research, engagement and artistic excellence across campus.
|
|
|
|
Whether attending in person or online, you will have the opportunity to vote for the Audience Favorite Award, sponsored by Molex LLC. The winning project will receive a $10,000 prize, announced during the event.
Save your seat and sign up to attend. Huskie Trek Talks is produced by the NIU Foundation in partnership with the Office of the Provost, the Division of Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development, and the Division of Research and Innovation Partnerships.
|
|
|
Applications Now Being Accepted for the 2026-27 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. Deadline for applications is May 1, 2026.
|
|
|
|
GRADUATE STUDENT APPRECIATION WEEK
|
|
|
It's Graduate Student Appreciation Week!
|
|
|
|
The Graduate School and our campus partners will be offering giveaways and hosting events as a show of appreciation for the achievements and hard work of all our NIU graduate students. All graduate students, faculty and staff are invited to participate in the week's in-person and online activities. Learn more about Graduate Student Appreciate week.
|
|
|
|
|
Eyes on the Prize: Course Evaluations are Now Open
|
It’s that time of the semester: Course evaluations for 16-week classes are open. Keep an eye on your inbox for an email from BlueEvaluations@niu.edu with all the details.
Pro Tip: Want to boost your response rates? Set aside class time for students to complete their evaluations — it's a win-win.
Starting in April, you’ll be able to track response rates, so stay tuned and help us make every evaluation count.
For additional information about Blue Evaluations, please visit our website.
|
|
|
|
Huskie Harvest Survey — chance to win an Amazon gift card!
|
|
|
Join Us For Our Faculty and Staff Award Ceremonies.
|
Save the date the celebrate the recipients of this year's faculty and staff awards. The Faculty Awards ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, April 16 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Altgeld Auditorium. The Staff Awards Ceremony is scheduled for is Thursday, April 23 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the Altgeld Auditorium.
|
|
|
|
Volunteers needed for commencement.
|
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.
|
|
|
Family and Children's Space Grand Opening
|
Celebrate the opening of the new Contemporary Children’s and Family Collection at Founders Memorial Library on April 8 from 4 to 5 p.m.. Explore this dynamic, family-friendly space filled with children’s and young adult literature, enjoy light refreshments and engage with the collection. Perfect for students, parents, caregivers, and avid readers, the space hosts classes, workshops and story-time sessions throughout the year.
Light refreshments will be served. Families are welcome.
Founders Memorial Library, 1st Floor, next to Founders Gallery 217 Normal Rd, DeKalb, IL 60115.
|
|
|
Save the Date for NIU Community Engagement Week: April 13-17, 2026
|
Join us to learn with and from communities!
Events include:
|
- Community Engagement Exemplar Symposium: Discover NIU’s community-engaged scholarly projects, hear from community partners and learn from experts in engaged teaching, learning and research.
- Brunch and Build: Learn from community experts and network with potential community partners over a casual brunch (for faculty and staff).
- Engagement in Action: Growing Community at the Edible Campus: Dig into NIU’s Edible Campus gardens to experience food system innovation in action.
|
|
|
Summer Day Camps for Grades 2-12 Bring your child to campus for a summer adventure!
|
|
|
NIU STEAM Day Camps offer the young Huskies in your life a chance to build friendships, engage in career exploration and gain confidence that sets the stage for future success. They’re also fun! Hands-on projects, scientific inquiry and creativity abound.
Topics include:
|
|
|
|
The 2026 World Music Festival Scheduled for April 7 through 11
|
|
|
The NIU School of Music is proud to present the 2026 World Music Festival, a five-day immersive journey through the sounds, traditions, and contemporary innovations of global music. Running from April 7 through April 11, the festival will transform the NIU campus into a vibrant cultural crossroads, featuring traditional masterworks alongside world-premiere compositions. Learn more about the performance.
|
|
|
|
|
University Grants Academy Is Now Accepting Applications for Spring 2027
|
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.
|
|
|
Host a Table or Join us at the Well-being Fair on April 16
|
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.
|
|
|
Volunteer Leadership Summit April 18
|
|
|
|
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:
|
|
|
|
|
- Connie Storey
- Karla Vilchez-Neal
|
|
- Ninette Weaver and Rachel Hunt
- James Cohen
|
|
|
- Monday, April 6 through Friday, April 10: Graduate Student Appreciation Week
- Monday, April 6: Rebuilding Democracy Lecture Series: State Sen. Cristina Castro (D-22)
- Tuesday, April 7: Student Fulbright Workshop
- Tuesday, April 7: Throwback Tuesdays at the Huskie Den
- Tuesday, April 7: Graduate School Panel: Is Grad School for You?
- Wednesday, April 8: Food Truck Wednesdays
- Wednesday, April 8: Family and Children's Space Grand Opening
- Wednesday, April 8: Matt Kovatchis Presents "Stop Beating Yourself Up. It’s Stressing You Out."
- Thursday, April 9: Native Plant Bed Cleanup
- Thursday, April 9: Half Price Thursdays at the Huskie Den
- Thursday, April 9: Michael Staudenmaier
- Friday, April 10: FACCE Moments Talk: AI in Teaching and Learning
- Friday, April 10: Friday Glow Bowl at the Huskie Den
- Saturday, April 11: Earth Fest 2026
- Monday, April 13: In Community: Dolores Huerta, Social Movements and Gender Violence
- Tuesday, April 14: Study Abroad Q&A Panel
- Thursday, April 16: NIU's Annual Well-being Fair
- Thursday, April 16: Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs Open Forum
- Tuesday, April 21: Introductory Commercial Card Training
- Wednesday, April 22: Latino Dinner
- Friday, April 24: Gichigamiin Museum Garden Volunteer Day
- Tuesday, May 12: Become a GIVE Circle Facilitator
- Thursday, May 14: (Peri)Menopause at Work: Creating a Comfortable Workplace Environment that Benefits Everyone
|
|
|
Tip: Submit your event, lecture, training session or deadline to the NIU calendar to inform Huskies about everything that is happening on campus.
|
|
|
|
|
Financial Month End Close
|
The month of March is closing for all financial reporting activity at noon on Thursday, April 9, 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.
|
|
|
|
|
NIU named Military Friendly School
|
Northern Illinois University has achieved the honor of Military Friendly® School (Silver designation) for large public schools for 2026-27.
|
|
|
|
Have information to share?
|
|
|
Complete the NIU Clearinghouse form to have your notice, deadline or event included in the Monday Morning Employee Announcements or The Weekly Scroll. Submissions are due the Thursday before the week you would like your announcement to appear.
|
|
|
|
|
This message is approved for distribution by the appropriate NIU party and is distributed by the Division of Enrollment Management, Marketing and Communications. NIU Mass Email Policy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Northern Illinois University's vision is to be an engine for innovation to advance social mobility; promote personal, professional and intellectual growth; and transform the world through research, artistry, teaching and outreach. Learn more about NIU’s vision, mission and values.
|
|
|
|
|
