Debbie Rempfer

Debbie Rempfer

For 15 years, Debbie Rempfer has served as the scholarship coordinator in the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office at NIU.  She works tirelessly to help students, and their families, navigate the complicated web of financial aid and scholarships.

In her role, Rempfer works to retain students by ensuring they can complete their degrees. With the highest level of patience, she goes above and beyond to understand a student’s situation and to help them find solutions—enhancing outcomes for both students and NIU.

“Debbie is one of the most student-centered individuals on campus,” says Randi Napientek, associate director of Student-Athlete Academic Support Services. “When students feel they have come to the end of the road and have no other options, Debbie will search every pocket and look under every stone to make sure all options are exhausted. Often, she is able to assist them through the process of obtaining grants, scholarships or loans to stay at NIU.”

Approachable and helpful, Rempfer has a positive and uplifting personality noticeable not only to her colleagues and students, but to donors, alumni and visitors on campus. She enjoys being a valuable resource to others outside of her day-to-day responsibilities.

Always giving back with long-standing Huskie pride, Rempfer generously volunteers her time to share her knowledge and experience to help others. Despite her demanding role, she participates in College of Business Experiential Learning Center projects, meets with students at the Business Careers House and personally mentors and coaches students that are in need of extra support.

“Debbie has distinguished herself as a professional who represents NIU with integrity,” comments Barbara Fox, instructor at the College of Business. “She truly cares about our students. She serves as an emergency contact for students in need with the NIU Safety Net Team for the community social referral system. In this role, she provides her expertise and service to meet immediate student needs such as housing, food and financial aid.”

Volunteering within the surrounding community, Rempfer participated in DeKalb’s Money Smart Week for the past several years; hosted events on financial aid and preparing for college; contributed to Free Application for Federal Student Aid workshops; delivered lunches to homebound clients with the Voluntary Action Center meals on wheels lunch program; and volunteered at the Huskie Food Pantry.

Recognized for her tremendous service to NIU and the broader community, Rempfer was honored with the 2018 Operating Staff Outstanding Service Award.

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