College of Business Research Facilities
The NIU Business community has a wealth of faculty experts, as well as a diverse population of students who want to learn while helping you address the challenges facing your organization. You can benefit from NIU’s external perspectives, extra research horsepower, unbiased recommendations and outstanding business knowledge.
De La Vega Innovation Lab
The lab is a collaboration hub that connects students, alumni, faculty and external partners in entrepreneurial pursuits. Within the lab, you can participate in design thinking and creative processes with the resources needed to ideate and accelerate your business ideas. Learn more about the donors who made the lab possible or see the lab for yourself in the video below.
IGNITE! program
IGNITE! connects College of Business students to local companies, start-ups and non-profit organizations for paid professional positions during the academic year. IGNITE! students work up to 20 hours a week for an IGNITE! company.
Center for Human Capital and Leadership
The center works with for-profit and nonprofit organizations to provides a wide range of analytics and consulting services aimed at improving organizational effectiveness. The center also offers an open enrollment and customized training and development programs for emerging and experienced leaders.
Experiential Learning Center
Through the learning center, you can sponsor a cross-functional team of four to eight of our best business students to focus on your organization’s issue. Topics include but are not limited to marketing strategies, business plan development, new product launch, employee retention strategies and data analytics. Organizations served by this program in the past include Caterpillar, Echo Global Logistics, Grainger, YMCA and McDonald's.
Business in Action
Business in Action student consulting projects provide organizations with external perspectives, recommendations, extra research talent and more. NIU faculty who mentor the students bring years of business experience in a wide range of areas. The program has served such diverse organizations as the City of Aurora, Parents for Peace and Justice, the Chicago Southside Birth Center and Lakeshore Recycling Services.