Staff Professional Development Academy

NIU aspires to develop a workplace culture that provides opportunities for growth and collaboration, supports individual/team success and prioritizes professional development. NIU is also committed to building shared leadership at organizational, team and individual levels.

The Staff Professional Development Academy is a yearlong, cohort style program that both promotes professional development and creates a network of leaders across campus. We aim to have diverse cohorts with representation across campus and encourage staff at all levels to apply.

Goals and Structure

If selected to participate, you’ll:

• Learn about NIU’s goals, operations and governance, as well as the current higher education landscape
• Have opportunities to build leadership skills, such as consensus building, conflict resolution, self-awareness and creating shared goals
• Be matched with a mentor

You’ll attend in-person meetings once per month during the fall and spring semesters. You’ll also attend monthly meetings with your mentor. 

Eligibility

If you’re a permanent, 12-month, SPS or civil service employee, you’re eligible to apply (except SPS with rank or tenure). Supervisors can also nominate employees to be invited to apply.

You should have:

• A minimum of one cumulative year of service at NIU by the application deadline
• The support of your supervisor and/or department head

How to Apply

A call for applications is sent out by the Office of the President each spring. The application includes:

• Current résumé
• Letter of interest (up to 500 words) indicating your interest in and expectations for the program, as well as your career goals
• Evaluation form completed by your immediate supervisor

To apply for the 2025-2026 cohort, please complete the application form. Supervisors may also nominate employees they think would benefit from the program. Please note the deadline to apply is May 1, 2025.

2025-2026 Cohort

• Andrea Allen – director, Student Financial Advising Services
• Nanette Andersson – architect, Architectural/Engineering Services
• Carrie Blackwood-Williams – director, Sponsored Programs Administration
• Alex Blake – academic advisor, College of Health and Human Sciences
• Tara Dickson – assistant director, career counseling and education, Career Services
• Ellen Hamrick – director, budget and finance, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Katherine Hutto – assistant director, programming, Holmes Student Center
• Lakeisha Jackson – report specialist, academic advising, Graduate School
• Michael Kunigonis – associate athletic director, Intercollegiate Athletics
• Kevin Lam – contract coordinator, Procurement Services and Contract Management
• Daniel Mojica – police officer, Police and Public Safety
• Melissa Ouimette – assistant director, affinity groups, Alumni Services
• Malhar Saheed – director, financial planning, Budget Office
• Jennifer Salmon – director, Disability Resource Center
• Connie Storey – associate director, scholarships, University Honors Program
• Rachael Yndestad – research development coordinator, Research and Innovation Partnerships