NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
|
|
|
Academic Affairs Newsletter
|
|
|
|
Dear Colleagues,
As we begin another academic year, I want to thank each of you for the important roles you play in supporting our students. Student success is a shared responsibility at NIU, and our collective commitment is especially important as higher education navigates a complex and rapidly changing environment.
Even amid these challenges, there is much to celebrate. This fall, NIU welcomed one of its largest freshman classes of the past decade and the most academically talented freshman class in our history. More than half of our new freshmen are first-generation college students, the University Honors Program reached record enrollment, our online programs continue to expand access for learners across Illinois and beyond, and we had an impressive increase in the number of new doctoral students. These accomplishments reflect the collective efforts of everyone across the university who works every day to help students enroll, persist and graduate.
Our commitment to student success also requires us to explore new and innovative approaches to teaching and learning. This summer, eight faculty members received AI Curricular Innovation Grants to redesign courses and incorporate artificial intelligence in ways that strengthen student learning, engagement and workforce readiness.
Please join me in congratulating the grant recipients: Melissa Clucas Walter, Clinical and Developmental Sciences; Catherine Ivack, Special and Early Education; Eric John, Accountancy and Finance; Nicole LaDue, Earth, Atmosphere and Environment; Iman Salehinia, Mechanical Engineering; Jiao “Aimee” Wu, Operations Management and Information Systems; Lei Zhang, Computer Science; and Yao Zheng, Accountancy and Finance. Their projects demonstrate how faculty innovation can create meaningful opportunities for students to learn, grow and prepare for their futures. Please visit the AI Curricular Innovation Grants website to learn more about the 2026 recipients and their projects.
In challenging times like these, our greatest strength is our ability to work together. By combining our expertise, creativity and commitment to student success and innovation, we continue to make NIU a place where learners from all backgrounds can thrive. Thank you for all you do each day to support our students and one another. Together, we are creating opportunities that transform lives.
My best,
Laurie Elish-Piper, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President and Provost
|
|
|
|
Welcome back, faculty
NIU’s annual faculty welcome and reception event held Aug. 17 helped new faculty build connections with colleagues, learn about resources and get involved as part of the campus community at NIU.
The program included remarks from President Lisa Freeman and Executive Vice President and Provost Laurie Elish-Piper. Faculty participated in collaborative activities and an evening reception, where they had the opportunity to meet representatives from divisions and units that support teaching, research, artistry and scholarship, community engagement, and student success initiatives.
New faculty are encouraged to explore the Office of Faculty Affairs website for resources and tools to support their success.
|
|
|
Enriching the Design of General Education (EDGE) community events
All faculty and instructors who teach a general education course are invited to attend monthly online EDGE sessions, held from noon to 1 p.m. Fridays via Teams. Join us Sept. 25 for “Academic Concerns and the Advising Journey,” Oct. 23 for “Accommodations that Foster Access and Student Success in General Education,” and Dec. 4 for “Food Insecurity Resources.”
Application open to designate courses and sections as community-engaged
Faculty applying to designate a graduate or undergraduate course or section as community-engaged must first complete this application. The deadline for designating a section is Sept. 28 for spring 2027 and Feb. 22 for fall 2027. Follow your college curriculum deadlines for the 27-28 academic catalog for course designation. Contact Alicia Schatteman at aschatteman@niu.edu with questions.
Reporting summer internships
Did your students complete internships, co-ops, research experiences or other career-related opportunities this summer? Please encourage them to report their experiences in Huskie Career Launchpad.
Student-reported internship data helps NIU Career Services recognize student achievements, assess experiential learning outcomes and strengthen relationships with employers to create future opportunities.
|
|
|
Call for nominations for Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Awards
Nominations are open until Friday, Oct. 16 for the 2026-27 Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Awards. Visit the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL) website to find details and submission guidelines.
Pilot of Blackboard Observer role
NIU Student Athlete Academic Support Services (SAASS) is piloting the Observer role within Blackboard. This role provides read-only access to a limited set of information about student athletes and the courses they are enrolled in. The goal is to increase real-time visibility to enable targeted, early intervention support including tutoring and academic coaching. Faculty who are teaching a course with a student athlete have received a notification via email about the Observer role; future notifications will be provided each semester.
Extended hours for Digital Media Studio
CITL’s Digital Media Studio (DMS) now features extended hours. Faculty and staff may now access the DMS from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week, except during holidays and winter break closure; the last available studio appointment is at 6:30 p.m. Please note that staff assistance is not available during non-business hours.
Reservations are required, and your OneCard is necessary to access the building and open the studio. Visit the CITL Digital Media Studio webpage to learn more or reserve a time.
|
|
|
|
Inaugural Summer Writing Retreat
21 faculty representing all NIU’s academic colleges, plus 18 schools and departments gathered this August at the Holmes Student Center to participate in the Summer Writing Retreat.
This joint program of the Office of Research Development and the Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs provided faculty with dedicated time and a supportive space to write and build community through focused writing blocks and structured group activities. Faculty worked on various projects to advance their research, scholarship and creative activities including writing journal articles, book chapters and grant proposals.
PI-centric model
The Division of Research and Innovation Partnerships (RIPS) is launching a new PI-centric model to provide researchers with more personalized, responsive support. As research requirements become more complex, this will allow RIPS to deliver enhanced expertise, stronger compliance support and a more streamlined experience.
PIs can continue to expect dedicated support from start to finish, including seamless transitions between team members, proactive guidance and robust compliance review. The goal is to make it easier for researchers to navigate opportunities while strengthening support for NIU’s vibrant community in research, scholarship and creative activities.
HERD survey
NIU recently reported $76 million in research and development spending in FY25 to the Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) survey, reflecting a more complete picture of the university’s commitment to research, scholarship and creative activities. This increase is primarily due to faculty assistance in completing the survey that allowed us to better capture faculty research efforts.
All tenure/tenure-track faculty and clinical faculty with appointments during FY26 should have received the survey to capture FY26 information earlier this week. This is a reminder to complete the confidential survey by Friday, Sept. 25. Your scholarship is vital, and it deserves to be counted.
|
|
|
|
Meghann Abell Cefaratti named Outstanding Educator of the Year
Great professors don’t just teach the material — they make you want to learn it.
For accountancy professor Meghann Abell Cefaratti, that ability to spark curiosity, connect with students and make an impact beyond the classroom has earned her another well-deserved title.
Cefaratti — who serves as Deloitte Foundation Professor of Accountancy, director of certifications and licensure, and director of internal audit education partnership for NIU — received a 2026 Outstanding Educator Award from the Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS). The ICPAs recognizes educators who have made continuous and outstanding contributions to accounting education, have demonstrated excellence in teaching and have provided service to the profession.
“To receive recognition for what I love to do is incredibly meaningful,” Cefaratti said. “The Illinois CPA Society is passionate about helping our students as they join the accounting profession, so to be recognized by them is validation of our efforts at NIU to provide the very best education to our students.”
|
|
|
|
Disability Resource Center
|
|
|
|
Planning for the accommodation
Extension of deadlines is an accommodation that can raise questions about how to maintain course expectations while providing equitable access. Extension implementation may differ depending on the assignment and course design. Faculty and students should discuss the accommodation early in the semester, including appropriate extension windows, notification procedures and assignments where timing is essential to the learning experience.
The Disability Resource Center’s (DRC) Extension of Deadlines for Assignments Accommodation Guidelines provide questions and considerations to help structure this conversation. If implementation concerns arise, contact the DRC to determine if the accommodation is reasonable within the course design. Visit the Talking About Accommodations website for additional resources.
|
|
|
|
Community Engagement Toolkits
Built by experts in CITL, the Division of Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development, and NIU Libraries, NIU’s Community Engagement Toolkits provide resources to help incorporate community engagement into your teaching, research and scholarship.
Learn how to:
|
- Get started and find community partners.
- Build a successful, long-term community partnership.
- Create an effective community-engaged course.
- Assess student learning and evaluate the effectiveness of community-engaged courses.
- Access community-engaged publications in the NIU Libraries collection.
- Find free resources through national community engagement organizations.
- Get your community-engaged work published.
|
|
|
|
34th Annual Study Abroad Fair
Join us at the Study Abroad Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30 at MLK Commons. With summer programs, semester-long experiences, internships and research opportunities, international opportunities are available for every major.
Students can connect with program providers, faculty directors, study abroad advisors and financial aid experts—all in one place. The fair also gives faculty an ideal opportunity to showcase their programs, support global learning and inspire students to enrich their academic and personal growth through international experiences. Please encourage students to attend and drop by to explore ways to internationalize your courses and expand your global impact.
|
|
|
|
Learn about a new tool for supporting program assessment
Beginning in AY 26-27, Accreditation, Assessment and Evaluation will implement the Stages of Development in Program Assessment Rubric to provide targeted support to academic programs and departments. Register now for a virtual orientation session at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22 to learn how the rubric will be used.
Department chairs, school directors, program directors and others involved in program assessment are encouraged to attend. The session will be recorded for those unable to participate.
|
|
|
|
- National Transfer Student Week Oct. 19-23 celebrates transfer students and the faculty and staff who support their success. The Office of Community College Initiatives and Office of Orientation and First-year Programs invite you to share your connection to the transfer experience – whether as a former transfer student, former community college employee or someone whose current role serves transfer students. Please take a few minutes to share your transfer story and offer your favorite piece of advice for our transfer students. Your experiences and encouragement will help us recognize the many transfer champions across NIU and celebrate the perspectives transfer students bring to our university community.
- With the beginning of a new year, academic and social pressure can feel overwhelming, especially for first-year Huskies – but they don’t have to face it alone. Togetherall is a free, peer-to-peer 24/7 support service offered by NIU Counseling and Consultation Services that allows students to speak with fellow, trained college students via an online chat about things they may be struggling with. In its first full year at NIU, nearly 250 Huskies used Togetherall and 94 percent found it helpful. Please encourage students to utilize this anonymous, supportive and safe service, should they need it.
- Join vice provost for Academic Affairs, Alicia Schatteman during NIU’s 119th Homecoming weekend for a guided tour exploring the history, architecture and enduring impact of Altgeld Hall. Whether you’re fascinated by history, architecture, philanthropy or the individuals behind NIU’s founding, this experience offers a unique opportunity to connect with the NIU’s rich heritage and see this beloved campus landmark from a new perspective. Early registration is encouraged.
|
|
|
|
Thanks to Jenna Pracht and Mitch Huftalin in Orientation and First Year Programs for their tireless work to coordinate Week of Welcome.
Kudos to the team in the Academic Advising Center for their hard work and flexibility in supporting first-year students to make sure they were advised, enrolled and had all their questions answered.
Thanks to the team in the Center for innovative Teaching and Learning for providing excellent programming through the Fall 2026 Teaching Effectiveness Institute and Fall 2026 Teaching Assistant Institute.
Shout-out to the Academic Affairs Technology Services team for their outstanding work in preparing our learning spaces and supporting faculty as we kicked off the semester. Your dedication, responsiveness and behind-the-scenes efforts help ensure a smooth experience for both instructors and students. Thank you for all that you do!
Thank you to faculty and staff for your energy at the beginning of the semester, as we welcomed new and returning Huskies to campus.
|
|
|
|
Do you have shout-outs about your colleagues or comments about this newsletter to share? We would love to hear from you. Please complete this form to submit your feedback.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
