Academic Affairs Newsletter
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Hello, colleagues.
I hope Spring Break provided time for you to rest, recharge and relax a little before the hectic pace of the remainder of the spring semester.
The high level of activity in the federal government has continued with actions to dismantle the Department of Education which resulted in a lawsuit filed by 20 Attorneys General, including Illinois. In addition, the Office of Civil Rights has announced investigations of more than 50 universities associated with the diversity-focused PhD Project.
During these challenging times, I want to assure you that I and other leaders at NIU remain focused on our university’s vision, mission and values. To stay informed and connected regarding these matters, we remain in close communication with our colleagues at other universities, federal relations teams in higher education professional associations, our elected officials in Washington DC and Springfield, and our Federal and State Relations Directors.
Especially in these challenging times, I ask that you continue to support our students and each other as you engage in your critical work here at NIU. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions.
As we cross the midway point of this spring semester, I wanted to share a few of the many positive developments that are happening at NIU.
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- Kaplan All Access: All current NIU students now have free access to Kaplan test prep resources, to help them prepare for the next step of their educational and career journeys. Students may sign up by using their NIU email address. From there, students will be able to select their desired courses at no cost. In the first 24 hours of this program alone, NIU students signed up for nearly 200 courses, for a savings of more than $133,000.
- Peer mentorship grant: NIU has received a grant from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities to help create a sustainable peer-to-peer mentoring program that will increase retention and enhance student success. This program will provide incoming students with a supportive and intentional community to increase access to academic resources, while strengthening a sense of belonging at NIU.
- Career Readiness Week: NIU students will have a new opportunity to gain knowledge, skills and professional connections to position themselves for early career success through weeklong events scheduled April 7-11. Two events will give an overview of NIU’s new Huskie Career Launchpad program, in which students earn digital badges for their accomplishments on the road to being career ready. Check out this NIU Today article to learn more about these events.
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As always, I thank you for your hard work and dedication. Let’s finish this semester strong, Huskies!
Laurie Elish-Piper, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President and Provost
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Faculty colleagues,
I am writing to address feedback received about education-related Executive Orders that have been signed by President Trump since his inauguration. Concerns have been shared with me regarding tenure and promotion considerations, impact on research agenda, academic freedom and more.
Let me reassure you that NIU continues to place a high priority on faculty success, in addition to the success of our students, regardless of implications elsewhere. We are here to support you in your important, ongoing efforts to make NIU the leader it is in providing an excellent education as well as a collaborative workplace.
You are welcome to reach out to me with concerns or questions you may have, moving forward. I will continue to advocate for you, alongside our leadership at NIU, and ask that you continue to support each other in the critical work you do. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Bárbara González, Ph.D.
Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs
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Tenth annual Preparing Future Faculty Conference a success
Graduate students convened on NIU’s campus Feb. 21-22 to learn more about the professoriate as a career path. The focus of the Preparing Future Faculty Conference is to increase faculty representation within our state institutions, while allowing participants to gain a greater awareness of academic life as a professor and enhancing their ability to envision themselves as members of an academic community.
Workshop sessions included how to develop oneself into a scholar, the process and impact of networking, preparing for the interview and job talk, managing, teaching, research and service as a professor, and more.
Emerging Faculty Leaders Program
The deadline is approaching to submit an application for the next cohort of the Emerging Faculty Leaders Program. Please submit your letter of interest and CV to provost@niu.edu by Friday, March 28. The program is an intensive professional development experience for faculty seeking to expand their capacity for leadership in higher education.
All full-time faculty (tenured, tenure-track, clinical, research and instructors) are eligible for the program, with priority given to tenured faculty. Eight to 10 faculty members will participate in the program, which will include regular cohort meetings, assigned readings and panel discussions, and feedback and mentorship provided throughout.
Please contact pchomentowski@niu.edu with questions.
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Help us help you by boosting evaluation responses
Your help is needed to increase course evaluation response rates and improve the student experience. Blue online course and faculty evaluations open April 2 and close April 29 for 16-week courses. Your effort in collecting this feedback is as important as the feedback itself.
Here are a few tips to encourage participation:
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- Schedule class time: Dedicate time for students to complete their evaluations.
- Communicate the value: Explain how their feedback helps improve your course.
- Acknowledge their effort: Many students may have multiple evaluations to complete. Express your gratitude for their time and thoughtful feedback.
- Use Blackboard: Show students where to find the evaluation or post a reminder.
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CURE registration open for presenters and judges
Undergraduate researchers from across colleges will be presenting their faculty-mentored research, creative inquiry and artistry projects at the Conference on Undergraduate Research and Engagement from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 29 in the Duke Ellington Ballroom. Faculty are invited to support students in their growth as researchers by registering to serve as a judge for poster session presentations. Student registration is open until Tuesday, March 25.
Raymond Award nominations
Faculty in all content areas using technology in their classes may apply for the David W. Raymond Award for the Use of Technology in Teaching. Sponsored by the Committee for the Improvement of the Undergraduate Academic Experience, this grant awards $1,000 annually. All tenured/tenure-track faculty are eligible.
Submit your nomination by Friday, March 21. Contact fishaq@niu.edu with questions.
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Support student well-being
Encourage students to take a break, connect and recharge with NIU’s wellness events. In addition to weekly workshops, here are two excellent opportunities:
2-3 p.m. Wednesday, March 19 at OASIS – Chilling with Chase & Friends
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- Students can unwind with Chase, our favorite furry friend, and enjoy a relaxing break with fellow Huskies.
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5-7 p.m. Monday, March 24 at Wirtz Hall, Room 306 – Huskie Fresh Cooking Class: "Chopped" Challenge
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- A hands-on cooking competition where students can test their culinary creativity and learn new skills.
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Visit the Student Wellness website for a full calendar of wellness programs
Help inspire student leaders at LeaderShape 2025
Faculty and staff play a crucial role in shaping student success. Now, you can help connect NIU students with an incredible leadership opportunity. LeaderShape 2025 is a transformative four-day retreat happening May 13-16 (arrival May 12) at the Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center in Plymouth, Indiana.
In partnership with the University of Illinois-Chicago, this immersive experience will help students:
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- Strengthen leadership skills rooted in passion and integrity.
- Reflect on their values and leadership style.
- Develop a vision for a more inclusive and compassionate society.
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This fully funded opportunity covers transportation, meals, lodging and materials, making it accessible to all students. With only 30 spots available, we encourage you to share the application with students who would benefit from this impactful experience.
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Upcoming FACCE sessions
Register to attend the Faculty Academy on Cultural Competence and Equity’s (FACCE) session, “Teaching and Being in Times of Uncertainty” Friday, March 21. In this virtual session led by Amanda Littauer, Joseph Flynn and Eric Junco, participants will come together to discuss the uncertainty that comes with a plethora of new policies, legislation and potential changes in our society and how to honor ourselves while teaching. This session will be interactive and provide space to discuss how to manage uncertainty, create conversation space in classrooms and find ways to create a community of support.
Also, save the date for Friday, April 11 and the “Implementing Multicultural Education” session led by James Cohen. Implementing multicultural education can be challenging and overwhelming due to the many “isms” that exist. In this workshop, participants will learn a framework that simplifies and structures multicultural education to help make implementation more manageable and attainable.
Prepare to submit for Examples of Excelencia
Register to attend upcoming informative sessions offered by the Division of Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and learn how you can submit your course, practice, program, outreach or other initiative to be recognized as an “Example of Excelencia” by Excelencia in Education.
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Yes, You Can Get Your Community Engaged Work Published
Whether you are community engagement curious or an experienced scholar, you can gain valuable insight at four upcoming workshops from Diane Doberneck, the Spring 2025 Engagement Executive in Residence and a national leader in community engagement scholarship.
Join us Wednesday, April 9 and Thursday, April 10 for four exciting workshops that will help you start from an idea and leave with actionable steps to get your work noticed. The event is co-sponsored by the Division of Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development and the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL).
Encouraging student curiosity
When students show curiosity towards a course topic, they become more engaged and interested in learning. This curiosity also boosts their motivation, reduces discouragement from mistakes and helps them understand the value of the content. In an environment where students feel safe to make errors, their curiosity grows, which creates an inclusive and supportive learning experience.
Find out more about encouraging student curiosity, as such students are better positioned for success and more inclined to take charge of their learning journey.
Presidential Teaching Professor Seminar: Nurturing Student Agency
In his teaching, Thomas Smith recognizes the various challenges and preconceived notions that students often have about his courses in statistics, data analysis and research methods. To ease their anxiety and create a supportive learning environment, he uses humor, maintains a calm demeanor and promotes an open-door policy for mentoring.
Join us at noon Tuesday, March 18 in the Holmes Student Center Sky Room for Thomas’ seminar. No registration is required.
CITL intern and recent ETRA graduate equips future Huskies
Jen Sacenti, who earned her M.S.Ed. in instructional technology last December, designed an online training module for students to learn how to use Blackboard, NIU’s learning management system. Her work took place during an internship supervised by Diane Alberts, CITL’s associate director for Operations and Administrative Support, and Stephanie Richter, director of Teaching Excellence and Support.
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Disability Resource Center
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Neurodiversity in the classroom
Neurodiversity is based on the concept that neurological variances should be recognized and respected as any other human variance. Neurodivergent individuals may deviate from a socially constructed norm while neurotypical individuals may fit with the socially and culturally defined cognitive norm. Within variance, neurodiversity focuses on the benefits of having the neurodiverse as part of the community and looks at individual strengths to build on solutions.
Online office hours, psychologically safe environments, multisensory approaches and presenting information in small, manageable chunks can assist a student who is neurodivergent. Contact drc@niu.edu to learn more.
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How to create a community-engaged course
Register to join us at this event at noon Tuesday, April 15 to learn from NIU faculty and staff doing impactful, community-engaged research, teaching and collaboration.
This month, you will hear from Alicia Schatteman, vice provost for Academic Affairs, and Laura Ruth Johnson, acting director of NIU’s Center for Nonprofit and NGO Studies. Learn about the new NIU community-engaged course designation, find out what best practices make for a successful community-engaged course and hear about the speakers' experiences teaching community-engaged courses.
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- You can join the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center and partners across campus throughout March to celebrate Women's History Month and learn what it means to our Huskie community. You are invited to participate in events that are scheduled throughout the month.
- Your story could inspire someone! Huskie Spotlights highlight the faculty, staff, students and alumni who make up our diverse campus community. Complete a Huskie Spotlight form to share your unique NIU story or nominate a fellow Huskie.
- The Division of Information Technology is offering IT workshops in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, OneNote, Planner and more this semester. Sign up for a workshop to sharpen your skills.
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A huge shout-out to Katie Faber, Admin staff for leading the nursing scholarship distribution work which is a huge endeavor!
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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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