At NIU, we recognize that our employees are a valuable asset to the university. Our compensation philosophy reflects our commitment to attracting, retaining and motivating a diverse and talented workforce. Our compensation practices align with our mission, vision and values as we strive for excellence in education, research and service.
Our compensation philosophy reflects our dedication to our employees’ success. Investing in our workforce ultimately benefits our students and the broader community. As we move forward, we remain committed to continuous improvement and ensuring that our compensation practices align with our university’s purpose and values.
Vision and Values
Our vision is to be a premier public research university that transforms lives through education, discovery and engagement. To realize this vision, we commit to:
- Equity and fairness: We believe in pay equity, regardless of gender identity, race or other characteristics. Our compensation practices must be transparent and regularly reviewed to ensure fairness in our salary administration.
- Competitiveness: We strive to offer competitive compensation packages that attract top talent. We remain competitive in the academic marketplace by benchmarking against peer institutions and industry standards.
- Total rewards: Our compensation philosophy extends beyond base salaries. We recognize the value of benefits, professional development, work-life balance and a supportive work environment. Total rewards contribute to employee satisfaction and retention.
Our core values guide our compensation decisions:
- Ethics and integrity: We value our employees' commitment to ethics, their focus on using a trustee mindset and their dedication to conducting business with integrity.
- Excellence: We reward excellence in teaching, research and service. High-performing employees receive recognition through merit-based pay increases and awards.
- Collaboration: We foster collaboration across departments and disciplines. Our compensation philosophy encourages teamwork and recognizes collective achievements.
- Innovation: We value creativity and innovation. Our compensation practices adapt to changing needs, technological advancements and evolving roles.
- Diversity and inclusion: Our commitment to diversity extends to compensation. We address pay gaps and promote an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued.
Employee Contributions
We acknowledge that our employees’ knowledge, skills and abilities enhance the student experience:
- Expertise and qualifications: Our employees’ expertise and qualifications directly influence student success. We value subject matter expertise, teaching effectiveness and research contributions.
- Student-centered approach: Our compensation philosophy aligns with our commitment to student success. Employees play a crucial role in student learning, engagement and well-being.
- Educational strengths: We recognize the impact of employees’ educational backgrounds. Whether through advanced degrees, certifications or continuous learning, educational strengths enrich our university community.