Steph Horgan

Academic Advisor, Management Department, College of Business

Steph Horgan

What year did you start working at NIU? Fall 2016.

Where is your hometown, and where do you live now? Bartlett, IL

Where did you attend school? What degree(s) did you earn?
Bachelor of arts in Psychology with a minor in Sociology and Deaf Rehabilitation, Northern Illinois University; Master of science in Education, School Counseling, Northern Illinois University.

Describe your typical day—what do you do while at work?
That is a great question. Every day is not the same, so it is hard to explain what a typical day is. As an academic advisor, I of course meet with students for advising appointments, but there are days that I teach, help with Orientation, meet with student organizations, attend meetings, or am involved with campus events. That is what I love most about my job, every day is different, but every day I get to be with the students!

What do you like about working at NIU?
It is an honor to work at my alma mater. NIU is my home away from home. If you know me, you know how much I love it here. I love the feeling I get when I am on campus. We have such a welcoming community, amazing diversity, and outstanding students. It is a place that you can be yourself and know that faculty, staff, and even students are rooting for you!

What advice would you give to students currently attending NIU?
My advice for current and future students is to be open to different experiences and ask for help if you need it. Everyone here wants you to be successful and college is what you make of it. Get out of your comfort zone — get involved, meet new people, and get to know your faculty and staff. I promise that you will not regret it and will thank yourself later.

What is your favorite campus event?
Homecoming is my favorite on-campus event. As an undergrad, I enjoyed seeing NIU alumni return to campus and celebrate. Now, an alumna myself, I am able to return every year with my college friends to continue the celebrations through the weekend, especially at the football game. An added bonus for why Homecoming is so special is that my husband proposed to me before a homecoming game.

In what ways do you see your colleagues help foster student success?
I see my colleagues in the College of Business foster student success on a daily basis. The College of Business has many opportunities for students to get hands-on experiences through internships, experiential learning, business passport, and student organizations. We genuinely care about our students and want each of them to succeed not only at NIU but once they graduate.

What is your favorite memory of NIU?
My favorite memory is meeting my husband freshman year in Stevenson C Tower. I would say my second favorite memory is going to the Discover Orange Bowl game in 2013. NIU and the Alumni Association helped provide discounted tickets and hotel rates for students to purchase. A few coach buses took us down to Florida to watch the game and we got to be in Florida for New Year’s! It was by far the coolest experience as an undergrad and I will never forget it!

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you currently doing it? If not, what changed your path?
I came into NIU as a undecided student and changed my major a couple times. It is totally okay not to know what you want to do right away. My academic advisor played an important role in helping me understand my interests and goals. While I considered a variety of paths, and have held a few different positions, there was one constant element that influenced my decisions — my enthusiasm for helping people. Now as an academic advisor, I feel as though I have found my true calling as I help students through their own college and life journeys. Being an advisor is a lot more than helping students pick out classes. I get to know them personally and I hope I am making a positive difference in their lives because they make a positive difference in mine.

Are you a member of or hold a position within a professional organization? If so, what organization? What is the purpose of that organization and how does being part of this organization benefit you in your role at NIU?
I am currently involved in The National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) and Illinois School Counselor Association (ISCA). Both professional organizations help with networking, professional development, and truly help me be the best advisor that I can be.

What community organizations are you involved in?
I help advise some COB student organizations, including the Business Administration Student Association and the Management and Business Administration Student Advisory Board.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
I love going on long walks with my husband and our puppy, Stanley!

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