Academic Affairs Newsletter
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Hello colleagues.
I hope this message finds you well and that your semester is going well. It’s hard to believe that fall commencement ceremonies are just weeks away, and we’ll soon be celebrating the achievements of our December graduates.
As we approach the Thanksgiving season, it’s a natural time to reflect on all that we’re thankful for, so I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to each of you for the many meaningful ways you contribute to our university community.
At NIU, our strength lies in the passion, dedication and innovation of our faculty and staff. Whether you are guiding students as an advisor, inspiring minds in the classroom, mentoring students, conducting groundbreaking research, creating impactful works of art, or serving our community through your leadership – you are making a profound difference.
Like other universities, we continue to face challenges from outside the confines of our campus, but I remain confident in our collective ability to stay focused on NIU’s commitment to access, opportunity and impact.
Thank you for all you do. I wish you a restful and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday.
Sincerely,
Laurie Elish-Piper, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President and Provost
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Promotion and Tenure update
Faculty intending to seek promotion and/or tenure for the 2026-2027 academic year are asked to please complete and submit this form to ensure support as you prepare your application.
This initial intent will be communicated with case managers in your college to assist in their preparations. Completing this form is not a substitute for your unit-level processes, and your response to us neither prohibits nor precludes your 2026-2027 application. Form responses also will help with prioritizing college-level specification of application templates in Interfolio for the upcoming 2026-2027 year.
If you are not seeking promotion and/or tenure in this cycle, no action is required at this time. Contact ldethorne@niu.edu with any questions.
Kuali forms
If you receive an email notification about completing a Kuali form as an approval step in a process, please make sure to go into the form itself and complete your section, prior to hitting the “Submit” button at the top of the screen. This often includes adding your digital signature and entering the date. It is important to complete all items in these forms for recordkeeping purposes. Thank you!
Last call to complete the HERD Effort Survey
If you haven’t yet completed the Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) survey sent to your Outlook email from HERD@niu.edu, please consider doing so to help reflect NIU’s research caliber. It only takes five minutes and your responses are confidential.
Your completion of this survey will help ensure NIU’s reported research expenditures are accurate and show that we meet or exceed the national reporting threshold necessary to acknowledge NIU as a very high R1 research institution committed to student success through the pursuit of new knowledge and excellence in research, scholarship and artistry.
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PERSIST25
NIU participated in EdSights’ annual PERSIST Summit Oct. 20–22 in Dallas, Texas. The event featured speaker and persistence theorist, Vincent Tinto and spotlighted innovations in student success centering student voices to improve persistence, success and completion outcomes.
NIU staff in attendance gained knowledge about planning automated data integrations between EdSights and Navigate to enhance outreach based on Mission AI responses. The event also helped identify opportunities to expand reporting and application of student voice scores within the EdSights dashboard. Discussions around sub-population trends, campaign design and retention strategies offered valuable insights to inform responsive outreach efforts here at NIU.
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Newman Civic Fellow presentation
Cindy Carbajal, member of the 2025-2026 cohort of Newman Civic Fellows and public health major at NIU, presented on "Ethical burdens: Prevalence and impact of moral injury among healthcare professionals" at the American Public Health Association annual meeting this month.
The event is the largest public health conference in the world and was attended by 11,000 participants. Carbajal was selected as one of the excellent student poster presenters in her section.
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SAASS honors top student athletes and boosts local education programs
During the Huskies football game Sept. 27, NIU recognized student athlete and softball player, Jenna Tuner with the Dr. Pepper Go Teach Scholarship for her hard work in the classroom and goals of working in education after graduation. Football alum Logan Zschernitz was honored for being named Second Team Academic All-American by the College Sports Communicators – one of the top student athletes in the country for his outstanding performance in academics and athletics.
Additionally, Student Athlete Academic Support Services (SAASS), in partnership with the College Football Playoff Foundation, awarded $1,100 in grants to four local teachers through the Donors Choose program. The grants support educational needs, including a diverse nonfiction library, materials for special education students, noise-reducing panels for a sensory room, and supplies for an early intervention classroom to help with academic, socioemotional and behavioral support.
CURE student presenter registration
Presenter registration for the Conference on Undergraduate Research and Engagement (CURE) is now open. This event, to be held April 28, 2026, gives students an opportunity to present faculty mentored research, creative inquiry, artistry and community engagement projects through a poster session format, round table discussion or exhibit. Check out the faculty involvement page for suggestions on integrating CURE into your syllabus and other ways to get involved. Email ugresearch@niu.edu with questions.
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Fix Your Content Day
Join colleagues across NIU for a campuswide event focused on improving digital accessibility and preparing for the new Title II WCAG 2.1 AA standards taking effect in 2026. Fix Your Content Day includes panel discussions, workshops and hands-on opportunities to make your digital course materials more inclusive. As part of the global Anthology Ally Accessibility Challenge, every fix you make counts toward NIU’s progress on the worldwide leaderboard.
Register once to attend the morning panel, workshops or drop-in sessions, or simply join the challenge by making fixes through Blackboard Ally Nov. 18. Each edit moves us closer to an inclusive digital learning environment for all Huskies.
Call for Nominations for Excellence in Online Teaching Award
Nominations are due by Jan. 31, 2026 for the Excellence in Online Teaching Award. This award recognizes NIU faculty and instructors who exemplify a commitment to excellence in online teaching, course development and student engagement. Visit the award website to learn more.
Dashboard Spotlight
The Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL) is excited to introduce the Online Course Design and Development Dashboard. This offers you a transparent, term-by-term view into online course development activity across campus with filters by college, department or development type.
Whether you’re curious how many new online courses are under design, which departments are leveraging instructional design support, or how development workflows are progressing, this tool is designed to inform your planning and highlight where support resources are being leveraged. Check it out and let us know how CITL can help your online course development efforts.
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Faculty Grant Writing Group
Open to all NIU faculty, the Office of Research Development (ORD) Faculty Writing Group provides participants with quiet, dedicated time and space to work on writing for external funding pursuits. ORD research development specialists are available during sessions to provide support.
“What I like about Faculty Grant Writing Group is the dedicated time slot and the location where I can focus without any distractions. The research development specialists are always on hand to help with questions and it's a great atmosphere,” Jim Wilson, faculty participant said.
Sessions are held at the 71 North Partnership Studio Garage in the basement of Founder’s Memorial Library every Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to noon. Sessions are drop-in friendly, and coffee and tea are provided. Add the meetings to your calendar by visiting the event page and contact ord@niu.edu with questions.
Research and Artistry 2026 internal grant program
ORD is accepting proposals for the 2026 Research and Artistry internal grant program, which provides internal grants to support faculty research, scholarship and artistry with clear goals toward meaningful contribution, impact and/or visibility in the proposer’s field. The maximum award is $15,000.
ORD research development specialists are available to advise Research and Artistry applicants on developing their proposals, which are due Jan. 7, 2026. Guidelines and supporting documents are uploaded to the InfoReady application portal (Research and Artistry 2026), and you may contact resart@niu.edu with questions.
Don’t miss the final fall session of Northern Exposure
It’s been a successful first semester for Northern Exposure, highlighting some of the exciting research happening at NIU. Students have enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and opportunity to learn about new ideas in a conversational setting. Contact 71North@niu.edu if you are interested in presenting your research in a future session and please feel free to encourage students to attend.
Join us at 1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14 at 71 North Partnership Studio for “Bridging Minds and Machines: A Balanced Approach to AI for Teaching.” Biagio Palese from the College of Business will discuss how educators can harness the power of AI while maintaining the human connection at the heart of learning.
Burmese lantern workshop lights the way for cultural exchange
This October, 71 North Partnership Studio glowed with creativity and community as the Burma Interest Student Association and the Community Health Innovation Learning Lab hosted an enchanting evening of cultural connection and mindful creativity. This collaborative workshop invited NIU students and visiting participants from the 16th International Burma Studies Conference to take part in the traditional art of Burmese lantern making. Read this article to learn more about the experience.
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Nov. 20 NIU Jazz Orchestra concert is a tribute to Ron Modell
NIU’s world-renowned jazz program was founded in 1969 when Ron Modell joined the School of Music faculty. He quickly established the NIU Jazz Ensemble as one of the finest collegiate jazz bands with performances around the country and the world, including a special invitation by Quincy Jones to serve as his band for a 1996 tribute performance for his 50 years in music at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. The jazz program has continued to build on its impressive legacy long after his retirement.
Modell passed away June 10 at 90, and the NIU Jazz Orchestra is devoting its November 20 concert to his memory as “An Ode to Mode.” The concert will feature special guests, alumni of the jazz program and some special surprises. Tickets are available online at go.niu.edu/arts-tickets. There is a discounted rate for faculty and staff, and NIU students are admitted free of charge.
CEET Innovation Showcase
On Friday, Nov. 14, get a glimpse into the next decade of change when you come to the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology’s (CEET) Innovation Showcase. Join us at the Engineering Building, 590 Garden Road, for “The Road to 2035: Engineering Breakthroughs Today.”
CEET faculty and industry leaders will offer insights into the technologies shaping the near-term horizon. Open to all, free of charge, this day-long event features poster sessions, expert panels on “Materials and Advanced Manufacturing” and “AI, Controls & Analytics,” and networking across disciplines. Plus: induction of the first four members of the CEET Hall of Fame starts at 12:45 p.m.
Learn more here. Register today.
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Disability Resource Center
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Finish the semester strong
As fall semester draws to a close, students with disabilities – particularly those managing mental health conditions – may be feeling increased pressure. In addition to academic demands, many students are navigating heightened anxiety, sensory overload or fatigue.
Faculty members play a vital role in fostering a supportive environment. Consider offering flexible office hours or alternative ways for students to connect, such as virtual meetings. Encourage students to utilize campus resources like Counseling and Consultation Services and the Huskie Academic Success Center. Small acts of understanding and flexibility can make a big difference, helping all Huskies finish the semester strong academically and emotionally.
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- Huskie Trek Talks returns April 18, 2026, with another exciting opportunity for faculty and staff to showcase innovative research, impactful programs and novel initiatives. This unique experience elevates the hard work of our faculty and staff and brings our community together by shining a bright light on the innovative Huskie spirit. Check out this recent NIU Today article to learn more.
- Faculty interested in teaching an Honors Seminar next academic year are invited to apply for a University Honors Faculty Fellowship. Proposals are due Monday, Dec. 1 and may be submitted via InfoReady. These courses are a cornerstone of the Honors experience, giving faculty a chance to explore new material, experiment with pedagogy or revisit a favorite course with a group of curious, engaged students from across disciplines.
- Each year, the Division of International Affairs celebrates International Education Week (IEW), an opportunity to recognize the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. IEW reflects efforts to promote programs that prepare Americans for a global environment and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn and exchange experiences. This year, IEW takes place Nov. 17-21. If you are hosting an international education event during this time, please submit your event to be featured on our NIU International Education Week calendar feed.
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Shout-out to Emily Reilly for your efforts to promote the work of student researchers and their faculty mentors.
Thanks, Matt Baron for helping get the word out about a recent student success story at NIU.
Thank you, George Middlemist for going above and beyond in helping students succeed. Appreciate you being willing to share your insights during a recent informational interview.
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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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