We prioritize building strong connections with the DeKalb Community. As part of NIU's commitment to the "communiversity" model, we are proud to collaborate with exceptional local businesses and organizations that share our passion for sustainability and energy. These partnerships strengthen our university's efforts and contribute to the continuous development of our community.
Our partnerships and connections made with local businesses benefit our students by providing career development opportunities, program support and sustainability partnerships.
- Geenex, a solar development company, actively supports NIU’s sustainability mission through direct student engagement and educational programming. They have sponsored sustainability career exploration events, offering students insights into careers in renewable energy and solar development. Geenex professionals also work closely with students, providing mentorship and real-world perspectives that enrich the academic experience and inspire future leaders in clean energy.
- Goodwill of Northern Illinois has provided the resources for students to participate in the campus donation program by donating clothing, household goods, and other items to reduce the amount of unnecessary items going into our landfills.
- Illinois Department of Natural Resources has been a valuable grant funding partner for various sustainability and conservation-related projects. Their support has created numerous professional learning opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate students, enabling hands-on experience in environmental research, project implementation, and fieldwork aligned with real-world conservation efforts.
- Lake County Government and the Village of Downers Grove have partnered with Capstone students by serving as clients for real-world sustainability projects, offering invaluable experiential learning opportunities.
- Pizzo & Associates and EnCap Incorporated have both continuously made internship opportunities available to students interested in ecological restoration.
- Living Room Conversations is a key partner for the NIU Cohesion Project: Conversations for Connection, led by the Environmental Studies Department. This initiative uses the LRC model to help students engage in meaningful, respectful dialogue around important issues, fostering empathy, civic engagement, and a deeper sense of community.
- OSI Group and the Northern Illinois Food Bank both contribute expertise to building the sustainable food systems emphasis of study.
- Waste Management is a generous sponsor of a variety of sustainable events in which the ESE Institute takes part.