Honors Faculty Fellowship

Honors Faculty Fellows are selected to teach honors seminars. These small, exclusive courses provide opportunities to try out new material, refine an approach or repeat a popular class.

We invite you to submit a seminar proposal. If selected, you'll be welcomed into the honors community, with opportunities to mentor some of NIU's most motivated students and engage with colleagues who share your love of teaching. The experience can also enhance your teaching portfolio (e.g., teaching observation and letters of support for promotion files, teaching awards, etc.).

Scheduling and compensation for teaching an honors seminar (e.g., on-load, off-load, etc.) is determined by the department chair and the honors director. We encourage and are grateful for on-load offers; pedagogically, we appreciate when faculty are able to include the seminar as part of their teaching load. You can also apply for a course enrichment stipend of up to $1,000.

Rachowicz Honors Faculty Fellowship

Earl and Cynthia Rachowicz, both class of '73, are committed to supporting the Honors Faculty Fellowship. One of the Honors Faculty Fellows selected for the upcoming academic year will be named the Rachowicz Honors Faculty Fellow. This fellowship aims to encourage interdisciplinary courses that emphasize interconnectivity, communication and the importance of a commitment to service.

If offered as part of your regular teaching load, you'll receive $2,000 in course enrichment funds. A separate application isn't needed, though you may indicate your interest when submitting your proposal.

Faculty Fellows

Fall 2026

  • Melissa Adams-Campbell, Ph.D., Department of English
  • Federico Bassetti, Division of Research and Innovation Partnerships
  • Bradley Bond, Ph.D., Department of History
  • Kerry Burch, Ph.D., Department of Learning Innovation, Leadership and Technology
  • Melani Duffrin, Ph.D., School of Interdisciplinary Health Professions
  • Jamie Mayer, Ph.D., Department of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders
  • Anitha Saravanan, Ph.D., School of Nursing
  • Cindy York, Ph.D., Department of Educational Technology, Research and Assessment

Spring 2027

  • Federico Bassetti, Division of Research and Innovation Partnerships
  • Joseph Flynn, Ph.D., Department of Curriculum and Instruction
  • Lynn Hermann, Ph.D., Department of Health Studies
  • Melanie Koss, Ph.D., Department of Curriculum and Instruction
  • Clare Kron, Ph.D., Department of Biological Sciences
  • Michael Manderino, Ph.D., Department of Curriculum and Instruction
  • Bradley Wiles, Ph.D., University Libraries
  • Paul Wright, Ph.D., Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education

Contact Us

University Honors Program 
Peters Campus Life Building 110
DeKalb, IL 60115

815-753-0694
honors@niu.edu

Connect With Us