Academic Affairs Newsletter
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Hello, colleagues!
It’s hard to believe, but the fall semester is almost complete.
Thanks to your perseverance and hard work, students are preparing to wrap up this semester by either wearing a graduation cap and gown or getting ready for the Spring 2024 semester.
As I reflect on the fall semester, here are a few highlights I want to share from around campus:
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- We launched a new program to help reenroll adult learners, who previously attended but left prior to achieving a degree. In just the first several weeks, more than 3,400 former students were contacted, with more than 400 expressing interest in returning to NIU.
- This past semester, the University Honors Program enrolled 282 new freshmen, bringing the overall enrollment to 1,073 students.
- Huskies are making a positive impact on campus in many ways. Two students enrolled in BADM 303: Foodservice Systems Management in Practice recently prepared and hosted a Thanksgiving dinner for more than 100 people, including their family members, at Ellington’s Restaurant.
- Our Office of Online Learning is helping students succeed, in a learning environment that best suits them. NIU offers nine online undergraduate programs, 13 online certificate programs and 20 online graduate programs in a variety of disciplines.
- Nearly 600 Huskies have enrolled in UNIV 301: Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator, a course approaching the completion of its third semester at NIU. This course is part of the Braven partnership that prepares students for their career, helps them build a professional network, provides access to internship opportunities, and matches them with experts in their field and offering individual leadership coaching.
These are just some of the many great things happening at NIU, and I want to thank you for all you do to make our university a place of learning and belonging for the students who call NIU home.
As the fall semester comes to a close, I wish each of you a restful and enjoyable holiday break, and a very happy new year. I’m looking forward to all the great things we’ll do together in 2024!
With gratitude,
Laurie Elish-Piper, Ph.D. Interim Executive Vice President and Provost
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Supporting and Celebrating our Asian Faculty and Staff Members
Empowering success for all faculty and staff is at the heart of NIU's values. Recently, the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL), the Asian American Resource Center, and the Asian American Study Certificate Program collaborated to explore challenges faced by Asian faculty and staff.
Jacqueline Mac, assistant professor in the Department of Counseling and Higher Education, provided an insightful presentation on the experiences of these members of our community. We appreciate the engagement and enthusiasm of everyone who attended.
This is just the start of our commitment to supporting Asian faculty and staff. Contact Linh Nguyen of CITL to learn more.
Preparing Future Faculty of Color Conference
The Division of Academic Affairs will host its ninth annual Preparing Future Faculty of Color Conference Feb. 23-24, 2024. Graduate students of color representing institutions across the state will come to NIU to learn about the professoriate as a career path and receive tools to prepare for a career as a college professor.
NIU is proud to present this program, to help inspire graduate students of color to enter the professoriate and contribute to the diversity of faculty not only at NIU, but at institutions across the state. Faculty interested in participating may contact Janice Hamlet at jhamlet@niu.edu.
Promotion Guidelines for Clinical and Research Faculty
A working group has proposed changes to Articles 3, 8 and 9 of the Faculty Senate bylaws, to address the promotion of clinical and research faculty. The Faculty Senate Personnel Committee has approved these changes and forwarded this for Faculty Senate approval.
Thank you, Mariah Cheyney (CHHS), Kimberly Hart (CEDU), William Pitney (CEDU), Kristen Selig (CHHS), George Slotsve (CLAS), and Wendy Vaugh (CLAW) for your efforts!
We are proud of the accomplishments of our clinical and research faculty and look forward to having clear promotion guidelines to help ensure their continued success.
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Navigate Alerts Connects Students with Resources
NIU advisors, faculty and other staff can initiate follow up with students by issuing alerts using Navigate to help students remain in good academic standing. Follow up is coordinated among students’ academic advisors as well as coaches or counselors in CHANCE, SAAS or the University Honors Program.
In addition, the Center for Student Assistance, the Huskie Academic Success Center and Student Financial Advising Services provide outreach to students who have been identified as needing tutoring, writing assistance, food support or have other needs. If you know of a student in need of assistance, you can issue an alert/referral in Navigate. Check out this user guide for step-by-step instructions.
Faculty Book Adoptions for Spring 2024
If you have not yet submitted your book adoptions, please do so as soon as possible. We still have about 30 percent of all course sections without an adoption. Any book adoptions received after Wednesday, Dec. 6 cannot be guaranteed for the first day of class and faculty should make class materials available to students in an alternative format for at least the first two weeks of class, or until materials are available.
The quickest and easiest way to adopt your books and course materials is by using Follett Discover through Blackboard.
Importance of Final Grade Submission
Timely final grade submission is always a critical need and supports our students in many ways. Now, more than ever, we need your help to wrap up the fall semester before the break begins.
This year’s calendar only allows a couple of days for the many processes that must be completed after all grades are submitted. Our students are counting on us to ensure their continued eligibility for enrollment and scholarships and to certify their education to employers. Check out these step-by-step instructions and know that the Registration and Records team is ready to assist you in any way possible.
Donation Drop-off Stop by the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost (AL 215) between now and Tuesday, Dec. 19 to drop off items for the Huskie Closet and Huskie Food Pantry!
Items such as winter coats, hats, scarves, gloves, boots, socks and NIU Huskie clothing can be dropped off to benefit the Huskie Closet.
Items such as pasta sauce, condiments, spices, cleaning products and hygiene products can be dropped off to benefit the Huskie Food Pantry.
The need has increased. Compared to last fall, 211 additional students, an 18 percent increase, visited the Huskie Food Pantry in the first three months of the fall semester this year. Every donation is a big help in supporting the wellbeing of our students while they are here. Thank you!
Nominations Closing Soon for EUTA and EUIA Awards Nominations are due Friday, Dec. 15 for the 2023 Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching (EUTA) and Excellence in Undergraduate Instruction (EUIA) awards. The EUTA is available to tenured and tenure-track faculty. The EUIA is available to non-tenure track instructors.
These longstanding annual awards recognize outstanding individuals who positively impact NIU’s student learning experience.
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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
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FACCE presents "Deficit to Growth Mindset and Equity Based Assessment"
Educators may tend to talk about what students lack rather than what they bring to the table. In this Faculty Academy for Cultural Competence and Equity (FACCE) session led by Stephanie Richter, participants will examine how to move from a deficit to a growth mindset and further consider why this is important for student achievement and producing an equitable classroom. Participants will also consider equity-based approaches toward assessing students. Lunch will be provided.
Sign up today to attend this event Friday, Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
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Volunteer Opportunity: Finals Late Night Breakfast
Staff and faculty members are invited to volunteer at the Finals Late Night Breakfast Monday, Dec. 11 from 9 to 11 p.m. at the Holmes Student Center Ballroom. Please send your availability to mholtz@niu.edu by Thursday, Dec. 7.
Please invite students to attend this event to take a break, destress and recharge during the intense finals week. Students will enjoy a delicious breakfast, engage in exciting games, unwind in massage chairs, groove to uplifting music and much more. The breakfast is co-sponsored by Campus Dining Services, Campus Activities Board and Counseling and Consultation Services.
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Winter Wonderland The Campus Activities Board is hosting the inaugural Winter Wonderland event at MLK Commons from 5 to 7:30 p.m. this evening, Monday, Dec. 4! Channel your inner lumberjack with axe-throwing fun, get creative at a cookie decorating station, experience a winter-themed petting zoo, and roast a few marshmallows while enjoying some hot chocolate. Participants also will receive a winter-themed Huskie collector’s mug.
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Meet the Director of Online Learning NIU’s Office of Online Learning is led by Anna Richardson. Richardson leads a team of seven online student success specialists, offering support for online students.
“The need for online education continues to grow, and the online student has different needs. They may be working full-time or have family obligations. Because they have those different things on their plate, they need to be supported in a different way,” said Richardson. “We build that relationship to let online students know they are not in this alone. Because of these relationships, students know we are here to support their success in achieving their ultimate goal.”
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NIU-IMEC Manufacturing Symposium
The College of Engineering and Engineering Technology (CEET) and Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) sponsored the Research & Development Manufacturers Day in November. Companies learned about advancements in manufacturing technology, best practices for productivity and available resources to help them for their future.
CEET faculty and students provided a glimpse on what discoveries have been made for advanced technology and steps to take in order to start partnering with NIU to adopt these benefits. Dr. Mansour Tahernezhadi, CEET Senior Associate Dean, took the lead on organizing this successful symposium.
CEET Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Cultural Nights
CEET celebrated their first Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Cultural Night! The CEET DEI Committee includes students from the Society of Women Engineers, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and National Society of Black Engineers.
Members of these student organizations celebrated and shared their cultures through foods, music and presentations in the Engineering Building for International Week. Students spoke about Venezuela, Guatemala, Poland, Cote d'Ivoire, Mexico, Congo and the United States. We hope to continue celebrating the various cultures of students with additional events.
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Activating the Founders Memorial Library
Mid-semester stats reveal a surge in library and Learning Commons engagement at NIU. The Research Help Desk has logged more than 1,200 interactions with students so far this semester.
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Partners, like the Math Assistance Center and Technology Support Desk, with 1,000 plus visits and 1,300 technology assists respectively, underscore the value of the LC partnership. Add to that the incredibly popular Writing Center, Digital Media Studio and Science on a Sphere and it’s no wonder our gate counts have doubled. Visit us!
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HLC Assurance Argument: Criteria 1 and 2 now available for review and feedback
In March 2024 Northern Illinois University will undergo its regular ten-year comprehensive accreditation evaluation by the Higher Learning Commission. This is a rigorous and comprehensive examination of every aspect of the university’s structure and operations through an Assurance Argument and site visit.
The Assurance Argument is a narrative supported by links to evidence files and is being shared with the campus community for review in stages, beginning with:
Criteria 1: Mission and
Criteria 2: Integrity: Ethical and Responsible Conduct
Comments on the Assurance Argument and compelling examples that illustrate the ways NIU meets various criteria are invited. If you have such an example to share, please include a URL or attach a document that provides supporting evidence.
View Criteria 1 and 2 and provide feedback.
If you have questions, please contact Chris McCord (mccord@niu.edu) or Amy Buhrow (abuhrow@niu.edu).
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- NIU is implementing a program to streamline the curricular process, while increasing data consistency. Curriculog, a product of Modern Campus, is an online system that automates the curriculum proposal and approval process, with the potential to reduce staff hours spent on this task by as much as 50 percent.
- Student employees are a great asset! You can advertise on-campus positions to help students find jobs at NIU, while helping your department in the process. Post your open positions on the Huskies Get Hired page of the NIU website. This free online tool connects NIU students and alumni with faculty and staff members, as well as employers.
- The Study Buddies web page has a new look, with an updated step-by-step guide. This is a great resource to share with your students, as Study Buddies helps them connect with others in their classes, through the convenience of Navigate Student. Comparing last fall to this fall, student use of Study Buddies grew by 173 percent.
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Congratulations to Janice Hamlet on being appointed to the Committee on Faculty Affairs for the Association of Public & Land-grant Universities!
Shout-out to Neil Colwell for the dedicated assistance with an ongoing website project. Thanks for all your help and your patience along the way, Neil!
Thank you, Jessica Webb for helping complete numerous website update requests. We appreciate your assistance!
Thanks to Amy Buhrow, Janice Hamlet and Susan Smith for providing a delicious meal at our monthly potluck lunch gathering, and thanks to all who have participated so far!
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Please email bwilliamsen@niu.edu to submit an item for possible inclusion in the monthly Provost Post newsletter, and please send along shout-outs celebrating colleagues who have earned accomplishments, gone above and beyond or simply made you smile!
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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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