Hello Huskies,
We’re rapidly approaching the end of fall 2025, and we at the Office of Online Learning want to ensure you’re taking time to reflect on and appreciate all the progress you’ve made this year, and all the great work you continue to do.
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For some, this may mean finishing your final semester strong and earning your diploma. For others, it may mean taking that all-important first step into your online program or successfully balancing your education with the rest of your life. Regardless of where you are on your journey, you should be proud of the work you’ve done along the way. Even reading this newsletter shows that you’re putting in the effort — and that’s more than you may realize!
As we round the corner on 2025, it’s more important than ever to remember that online doesn’t mean alone.Our Office of Online Learning is here to help you however we can, and this newsletter is just one of those ways. Inside, you’ll find helpful tips, tools and a “time to shine” in the Student Spotlight. We hope these make your online learning experience even better. If you have suggestions for what you’d like to see in a future newsletter, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at online@niu.edu.
Here’s to a strong finish to the fall semester and a happy end to 2025.
Go Huskies! 🐾
Sincerely,
Alex Hinton and Mackenzie Gattman
Online Student Success Specialists
Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning
Office of Online Learning
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New and Improved NIU Online Website
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What’s New for You: Celebrating Online Student Success at NIU
Student success is at the heart of everything we do at NIU, and that includes our growing community of online learners. We’re proud to announce that our office has been named the 2025 recipient of the UPCEA Excellence in Advancing Student Success Award, recognizing our innovative and holistic approach to supporting adult and post-traditional students.
“Over the past two and a half years, the team has worked tirelessly to build the Office of Online Learning from the ground up, creating vital support systems to better serve our online learners … I am immensely proud of all they have accomplished and their deep commitment to the success of our online students,” said Anna Richardson, director of online learning.
Through initiatives like virtual information sessions, personalized outreach and the launch of our Online Student Advisory Committee, our team continues to ensure that every
Huskie — no matter where you learn — has the tools and encouragement to reach your goals. This national recognition highlights NIU’s commitment to being student-centered, equity-minded and future-focused in advancing online learning success.
Learn more about this award and our Office of Online Learning.
What’s New for You, Part Two: Wellness Wednesdays — Your Midweek Boost!
Life as an online Huskie can feel like a juggling act with classes, work, family and everything in between. That’s why NIU Online created Wellness Wednesdays, your
twice-a-month dose of encouragement, tips and resources to help you stay balanced and connected. Be sure to check your NIU student email for your online resources and let us know if you have any you would like to share.
Think of it as a quick check-in from our NIU community because your well-being matters as much as your GPA and remember, you’ve got this Huskies — and we got you. 🐾
Three Ways to Feel More Connected Online:
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- Jump into conversations. Post in discussion boards or join virtual study sessions. A simple “hello” can spark great connections.
- Make time for people. Schedule a quick coffee chat (virtual or in person) with classmates or faculty. It’s a game-changer for feeling connected.
- Tap Into NIU support. Through counseling and wellness tools, NIU has your back. Explore resources designed for online students like you.
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Got ideas? We want to hear them!
What online student groups or activities would make your experience even better? Email us at online@niu.edu and share your thoughts. Your input helps shape our online community.
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Online Student Spotlight — Two of our newest Online Student Advisory Committee (OSAC) members
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Traci Carlson, Bachelor of General Studies
Traci Carlson is a full-time Bachelor of General Studies student at NIU, with minors in rehabilitation counseling and psychology. After a successful career in insurance and finance, she was inspired by personal experiences to pursue her true calling: Advocating for individuals with disabilities and working in College Disability Services.
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Carlson returned to school to gain the education needed to turn her passion into a profession. NIU’s online program provided the supportive and inclusive environment she needed to thrive. As a proudly neurodivergent student, she joined our Online Student Advisory Committee (OSAC) to represent the voices of online learners and help others navigate college through diverse perspectives.
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Justin Hale, CMCA®, B.S. in Applied Management: Instructional Technology, Training and Evaluation
Hale is an out-of-state, part-time student pursuing his bachelor’s degree in instructional technology, training and evaluation at NIU. Professionally, he serves as a community association manager, holds the Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) credential, and also operates as a commissioned Texas notary and remote online notary provider.
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He was inspired to return to school to build a stronger foundation in instructional design and evaluation, with the long-term goal of advancing into a leadership role in learning and development. Hale joined our Online Student Advisory Committee to help represent the voices of online students and ensure that programs and resources continue to support their academic and professional success.
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Need help cleaning up your LinkedIn profile? Want to tighten up your résumé or practice interviewing? Quinncia is a new tool NIU students have access to that can help with just that.
Quinncia is an AI-powered career readiness platform designed to help you feel more prepared and really make you stand out from the crowd. It uses the same AI toolset that many employers now use to screen applicants, so you can be sure it’s relevant in today’s job market.
What can Quinncia do for you?
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- Résumé review.
- Quinncia can give you rapid feedback on your résumé, both content and format, as many times as you need. This includes things like professionalism, clarity and ensuring your résumé lines up with employer expectations.
- Mock interviews.
- Using AI-powered tools, you can go through a mock interview based on your interests, major or résumé. Quinncia will provide feedback on things like answer clarity, use of filler words, eye contact and other helpful tips applicable to any field.
- LinkedIn profiler.
- The Quinncia LinkedIn review tool can help ensure your profile is using relevant keywords and make suggestions for how to best jump out to future employers.
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Success Tip From the Office of Online Learning
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The holidays can make it difficult to focus on school when family, friends and celebrations are all around. To help you stay on top of your studies this season, here are a few helpful tips:
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- Plan ahead. Set specific times to study, write that discussion board post you’ve been putting off or finish that chapter reading. Scheduling dedicated blocks of study time around your holiday celebrations will help you stay organized and consistent.
- Don’t procrastinate. Instead of waiting until after your friends and family leave, try working a little bit each day before the festivities begin. You’ll feel more relaxed, stay caught up and still have plenty of time to enjoy the holiday cheer.
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With a little planning and focus, you can stay on track with school and still enjoy the holiday season.
– Tip from Mackenzie Gattman, online student success specialist.
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Are you graduating this December?
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You’ve worked hard for this moment, and you deserve to celebrate it! Whether you completed your program from across campus or across the country, walking at commencement is your opportunity to be recognized, celebrate with your supporters and mark the incredible achievement you’ve earned. Your NIU journey is real, meaningful and worth celebrating on stage. We hope to see you there.
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RSVP by Dec. 2.
That wraps up this year of our NIU Online Learning Newsletter. We hope you’ve enjoyed the updates, resources, tips and stories we’ve shared throughout the year. As we head to the end of 2025, we want to wish you good luck in the final weeks of the semester and thank you for being part of our online Huskie community.
Happy holidays and a wonderful New Year from all of us at the NIU Office of Online Learning!
With Huskie pride,
The Online Student Success Team
Contact Info: Office of Online Learning | online@niu.edu I 815-753-6660
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This message has been approved for distribution by the appropriate NIU party and is distributed by the Division of Enrollment Management, Marketing and Communications. NIU Mass Email Policy.
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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.
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