Northern Illinois University
Operating Staff Council

The Dependent Scholarship provides financial assistance to NIU students who are the children of NIU operating staff (civil service) employees. The scholarship is made possible by the fundraising activities of civil service employees.

Thank you to everyone who has given to the scholarship! We invite you to read about the past recipients you have helped support.

Selection Committee

The Dependent Scholarship Selection Committee consists of members of the operating staff appointed by the Operating Staff Council. No parent, guardian or relative of an applicant is allowed to serve on this committee. The committee screens all applications and selects the scholarship recipients. The committee also notifies each applicant of the results of their decision.

2022-2023 Scholarship Recipients

• Morgan Haga
• Darby McGowan
• Izaiah Webb

Morgan Haga (Sandy Jakubiak, mother)

Morgan is a senior in the Kinesiology and Physical Education program and is almost ready to graduate. She is passionate about her field; even before she came to NIU she shadowed a physical therapist/athletic trainer. She has also worked for a local chiropractic and physical therapy office, as a fitness assistant at the NIU rec center, and is training to be a personal trainer and a building supervisor with the DeKalb Park District.

She is determined in work and at school and seeks to inspire others around her to achieve great things.

"I enjoy helping individuals who may not be able to do something but want to make a goal to achieve it."

Morgan will be continuing her education at NIU to earn a master’s degree in Athletic Training.

Darby McGowan (Mark McGowan, father)

Darby is a freshman majoring in Elementary Education and is an accomplished student always on the lookout for her next passion. She wants to be challenged and also seeks to be involved in opportunities that help her grow as a person.

She is driven and dedicated having participated on a competition dance team, a tennis player, a flautist in the band, and a key club member in high school. At NIU she is part of the Women and Gender Advocacy Alliance and the University Honors Program, while volunteering at the Midway Village museum and working in the HSC hotel.

"I hope to find my passion ignited in the College of Education as I hunt for intellectual stimulation and challenge in the future courses that will equip me with the tools to be an effective teacher and leader of social justice and advancement in the classroom."

"I hope to exude this intensity of devotion in my teaching as I vow to provide a safe haven for my students that embraces differences and encourages the development of personality and identity."

Izaiah Webb (Jessica Webb, mother)

Izaiah is earning a master's in Sport and Exercise Psychology and studying to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) and Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in order to enhance the performance, mental health and quality of life for college students and student-athletes. He has already begun that journey by being an athletic mentor, Alive Teen Center volunteer and Project FLEX instructor.

"Being a lifelong athlete, an individual that people seek advice from, and an activist have all been infused into my career goal of becoming a Sports Psychologist and Professional Counselor."

"I have made a lifelong commitment to be fruitful and open to all people, in aims to spark their light and create a brighter future for humanity."

He is passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion and has been involved in groups such as the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Task Force and Black Student Association at North Central College. He is an advocate, willing to listen, and keeps an open and accepting mind.