Academic Affairs Newsletter
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Hello colleagues. Since July, I have enjoyed the opportunity to learn about the amazing things you are doing in teaching, research, artistry, community engagement and service in support of the mission and vision of NIU while serving as interim executive vice president and provost.
It is my great honor to accept the permanent position of provost, announced recently by NIU President Lisa Freeman. In these past months, I have learned about the challenges members of our campus community face and ways that I can work to help address those barriers and look forward to doing so in this role. Thank you for your confidence in my leadership.
We have reached the midway point of spring semester and an important time for the university. NIU will host a team of peer reviewers from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) during a site visit March 25-26 as part of our 10-year comprehensive evaluation. This process ensures NIU meets the criteria for accreditation.
Receiving this designation is critical, as HLC's accreditation includes all degree levels as well as onsite and online course delivery. This lets current and prospective students know NIU provides a quality education, meets standards, and is engaged in continuous improvement.
As part of this overall process, a Quality Initiative Report was assembled and presented to HLC last year. Feedback was positive, noting NIU’s response was comprehensive and targeted and involved stakeholders from all areas of the institution, including the creation of an interdisciplinary team of several dozen faculty and staff.
The upcoming site visit is not the end of the journey. This is part of a culture of continual improvement at NIU.
As part of the site visit, you are encouraged to attend open forums with members of the HLC peer review team.
Open Forum for Faculty: Monday, March 25 from 1:30-2:15 p.m. in Holmes Student Center Heritage Room.
Open Forum for Staff: Tuesday, March 26 from 8:30-9:15 a.m. in Holmes Student Center Heritage Room.
Thank you for your dedication and valuable contributions to NIU. Your hard work is appreciated!
With gratitude,
Laurie Elish-Piper, Ph.D. Interim Executive Vice President and Provost
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Preparing Future Faculty of Color Conference
Graduate students of color representing 15 Illinois universities and three out-of-state universities, along with 30 faculty, staff and administrators from NIU and other universities attended the Preparing Future Faculty of Color Conference in February.
“I am so full after this weekend! I gained valuable insights from the presentations, workshops and activities. Connecting with peers, staff and faculty was a highlight of the conference. I value these networking opportunities, as my doctoral program is online and I transitioned from working on a college campus,” said Chastinee McNeil, doctoral candidate at Governors State University.
“Thank you so much for such an awesome event! I really enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about faculty positions as well as networking with professors and peers across the various universities,” said Chavon Martin, graduate student of color at Adler University.
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Lunar New Year celebration
Thank you to all who participated in a Lunar New Year celebration luncheon at Neptune Dining in February. Those in attendance celebrated the Year of the Dragon, while connecting and networking and enjoying a themed lunch created by Neptune's talented chefs.
“Words fail to express how grateful I am for the opportunity to bring people together during the Lunar New Year celebration! Colleagues were reconnected face-to-face after years of being at NIU together. Young assistant professors socialized and took group photos together. I am so happy we could give these faculty members a sense of community and belonging,” said Linh Nguyen, inclusive teaching coordinator at NIU.
Faculty encouraged to add their voice through committees of the university.
University-level committee service provides an important opportunity for NIU faculty to take an active role in shared governance. It is through shared governance that faculty can impact campuswide academic decisions, help set the directions of NIU for the future and contribute to the promotion of academic freedom and productivity.
Soon, the administration of NIU’s colleges and University Libraries will reach out to offer these opportunities to serve on a wide variety of committees, councils and boards for terms to begin fall 2024. Faculty are encouraged to engage in the process and consider representing their college or University Libraries in this way.
Shared governance rests on the idea that the healthy functioning of our university is the shared responsibility of faculty, administration, staff, students and the board of trustees. Serving on these committees is one way for faculty to directly contribute to the health of our university.
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Book Adoptions
Please adopt all books and course materials by Monday, April 1 when fall semester course registration opens. Doing so helps students make the best academic and financial decisions.
Submitting adoptions on time is critical for NIU students who receive financial aid, as they may only charge up to $700 in books and course materials using the Book Charge Program, which is available between the end of the current semester and 10 days after classes begin.
The quickest and easiest way to adopt books and course materials is by using Follett Discover through Blackboard. Review the Textbook Adoption Information page for more information. Also, please indicate if you are not adopting any course materials for your class.
Research Month Kickoff Reception
We look forward to seeing you at the Undergraduate Research Month kickoff reception! This event will take place from 3-4 p.m. Thursday, April 4 at the staff lounge in the basement of Founders Memorial Library. This will be an informal event with refreshments, celebrating mentoring success stories. Bring your mentees!
Prepare for Illinois’ Future Program
The Prepare for Illinois’ Future Program provides comprehensive test and professional licensure preparation at no cost to NIU students. This program makes it easier to practice and prepare for professional licensure exams and other exams by removing financial barriers.
The first phase of this program includes Illinois Licensure Teaching System (ILTS) practice test vouchers for eligible students, who will have 120 days from the activation date to access the practice tests.
Students may visit the website, call 815-753-0846 or email TeacherCertification@niu.edu to request a voucher or more information.
Request textbook purchases from NIU Libraries
NIU University Libraries' Textbook Task Force purchases some required course materials based on faculty recommendations. Print textbooks purchased through this program will be put on two-hour reserve at the Circulation Desk for student use in the library. The task force also purchases e-books, but only those available with library licenses which allow for unlimited users. Due to limited funds, it may not be possible to acquire every textbook requested. Please submit requests here and contact Dee Anna Phares with any questions.
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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
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A Dialogue with Bereaved Palestinian and Israeli Family Members
Join us as we host the American Friends of the Parents Circle — Families Forum to learn from bereaved Palestinian and Israeli members, as they share their stories of loss and their unique choice of reconciliation.
Participate in a discussion on why relationship building, mutual understanding and a reconciliation framework for sustainable peace agreement brought these families together.
This event will take place from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 21 at the Altgeld Hall Auditorium. RSVP and contact Jade Silva Tovar equity@niu.edu for more information.
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Faculty learn from one another during Open Classroom Weeks
The inaugural Open Classroom Weeks event was a success! Six faculty members and the NIU STEAM program opened their classrooms to more than 20 of their colleagues. Key takeaways from participants:
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- It is important to build trust between faculty and students; this gives students the opportunity to make and learn from their mistakes.
- In active learning, it is important to have structure and short activities that can serve as formative assessments.
- Students take pride in the opportunity to share their expertise and teach others.
- Taking time for mindfulness at the beginning of the class session helps students focus on learning.
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Look for future opportunities to participate in Open Classroom Weeks in future semesters, either by observing a colleague or by opening your classroom to your peers.
Presidential Teaching Professor Seminar
Faculty strive to be the best professors they can be, giving students the most rewarding academic experience during their time at NIU. But what are the factors that make outstanding professors successful?
Jeanette Rossetti, Distinguished Teaching Professor in the School of Nursing, will reflect on what she has learned over her teaching career, starting with the results of her dissertation on this topic and the lessons that have driven her academic journey from assistant professor to Presidential Teaching Professor. Rossetti will highlight what she has learned from time spent with students studying abroad and exploring Ireland's healthcare services.
This seminar is scheduled for noon Tuesday, April 2 in the Holmes Student Center University Suite.
What’s new in Blackboard?
Blackboard continues to release monthly updates and improvements to the Ultra Course View. Many updates originate on the Anthology Idea Exchange, where you can introduce and vote for new features, updates or improvements. As new updates are released, you can find a quick video summary and helpful links on the Blackboard Updates web page. Contact the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning to further explore the newly released features, or for assistance.
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Join us for AI Researcher and AI Educator meet-ups
As AI becomes more prevalent, you are invited to join idea-sharing sessions to identify expertise we have at NIU, discuss ways to best utilize AI and learn about the impact AI is having and will continue to have on higher ed.
AI Researcher meet-up: (RSVP by Monday, March 25)
In-person: 10-11:15 a.m. Friday, March 29; Virtual: 3:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 2
This meet-up is designed to bring together faculty who are conducting research regarding AI or who are interested in becoming involved in AI research to form an AI scholar network at NIU and foster collaboration.
AI Educator meet-up: (RSVP by Thursday, April 4)
In-person: 9-10:15 a.m. Wednesday, April 10; Virtual: 3:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 16
This meet-up is designed to bring together faculty who are integrating AI into the classroom or who are interested in identifying shared opportunities and challenges of AI in education and developing a network of support and collaboration.
RSVP for these events by contacting Andrea Guzman, associate professor of communication, at alguzman@niu.edu. If you are interested but cannot attend, please contact Andrea for more information. In-person meetings will take place at the 71 North Partnership Studio; coffee and tea will be served.
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Assessment and Accreditation
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Assessment for Learning Improvement Showcase
This forum will provide colleagues across campus the opportunity to connect, learn and share applications of best practices in assessment for student learning. It will be useful for faculty and administrators who are new to program level assessment or those who are working to make assessment more useful.
This half day program Friday, April 19 will consist of an opening presentation on the assessment cycle, best practices, and challenges in assessment followed by three round-table discussions on specific practices employed by NIU faculty.
Advance registration is required.
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Disability Resource Center
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Accommodations are a Legal Requirement
Did you know accommodations are a legal requirement? The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) stipulates that post-secondary institutions are responsible for providing reasonable accommodations when a student discloses a disability, ensuring students with disabilities are provided equal access and participation.
A reasonable accommodation is a modification or adjustment to the course or activity that enables a student with a disability to have equal opportunity to enjoy the benefits and privileges without reducing or eliminating curriculum standards.
If you have a question about accommodations, please contact the Disability Resource Center at drc@niu.edu or 815-753-1303.
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- You can find more content on our news site! Bookmark it today and check out this site regularly for updates from the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, the Division of Academic Affairs and beyond.
- The Division of International Affairs, the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center and the Center for the Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality is hosting a panel discussion at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 20 at Holmes Student Center on “What Does International Women’s Day Mean to You?” Panelists will speak about the nuances of gender and internationality, and the impact on their lived experiences and in their chosen career paths.
- The NIU Libraries Special Collections and Archives welcomes applications for three fellowship programs to fund student and professional research based on the library's rare book and special collection holdings: Horatio Alger Society Fellowship for the Study of American Popular Culture, Pick-Laudati Rare Books and Special Collections Fellowship and NIU Student Scholar Rare Books and Special Collections Fellows. Applications are due Monday, April 15.
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Thank you to the graphics team for their excellent work on numerous projects. You are a pleasure to work with!
Shout-out to Brandon Lagana for helping faculty members learn how to utilize Navigate to share information and keep students engaged.
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Do you have comments, ideas for future newsletter topics or shout-outs about your colleagues to share? We would love to hear from you. Please complete this form to submit your feedback. Thank you!
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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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