Natalie Cassady

Natalie Cassady is a psychology major from Pontiac, IL

Hometown: Pontiac, IL

High School: Pontiac Township High School

Year: Expected graduation: spring 2026

Minors: Counseling and sociology

What scholarships did you receive and why did you receive them? How has the financial support impacted your experience at NIU?
I have received a merit scholarship and scholarships from the NIU Alumni Association and University Honors Program. The financial support I have received has helped with my financial situation immensely. Receiving financial support aids in paying expenses, such as tuition and books.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path?
Growing up, I always wanted to be a teacher, especially with younger kids. I am now pursuing a psychology major, and I still want to work with younger children or adolescents in my future career.

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
My major is psychology, and I am pursuing minors in counseling and sociology. I decided on this because I really enjoy working one on one with others and being a source of support. I am very interested in going into the counseling field in the future because I have a passion for helping others.

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
I have found that my professors at NIU are extremely supportive of their students' well-being and academic success. Almost every professor I have had offers their assistance and additional support outside of the classroom and truly wants their students to take advantage of this help.

How have you connected with other students to study for classes, meet new people or form new friendships?
In multiple classes, I sat near classmates who grew to become close connections over time. For some of these friendships, I can thank the professors of the classes because they had us introduce ourselves to the students around us. This sparked conversations that led to friendships in and out of the classroom.

Are you involved in any student organizations, mentoring programs or extra-curricular activities? If so, which ones? How have they added to your experience as a Huskie?
I am involved in Signing Huskies and the Psi Chi International Honor Society of Psychology. I’m also on the executive board of the Student Psychological Association. Being involved in these organizations has presented many opportunities to meet other students who share similar interests and passions. These organizations allow me to be much more involved at NIU, and I appreciate every experience I have gained from each event.

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you feel safe, supported and successful? And how?
NIU's Counseling and Consultation Services offers a great amount of support for NIU students to take advantage of. I have had great experiences with the resources offered by this department, and I would strongly encourage other students to utilize these services without hesitation.

What Honors Program opportunities or support have helped you get closer to your academic or career goals so far?
Academic advising from the University Honors Program has been extremely helpful when planning for my upcoming semesters. Honors advisors clearly explain what achievements and requirements you have already met and what exactly you have left to accomplish to maintain your progress toward graduating with honors.

What do you enjoy the most about the Honors Program?
I really enjoy the supportive community the honors program provides for students. The faculty and honors fellows offer a great amount of support and guidance throughout any academic challenge and personal progression through one's course in the honors program.

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course did they teach?
One of my favorite professors is Mrs. Bonnie Jensen, who taught my SOCI 170 and SOCI 288 courses. Her teaching style helped me to understand the material much more comprehensively. She also offered multiple opportunities throughout the semester for students to attend her office hours to receive feedback on assignments prior to turning them in. I took advantage of each of these opportunities, and her feedback and guidance were extremely helpful toward my assignments and academic success in her courses.

How have you benefited by attending class regularly?
Attending class regularly helps me understand the course material on a much deeper level. I better understand the expectations of the course from my professors, and I find that I get much better grades on individual assignments and in the course when I am regularly attending class.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? Why are you drawn to it?
My favorite spot on campus is the Holmes Student Center. The HSC is always very lively, especially during the week, which brings about a positive student atmosphere. It is a great place to meet up with friends, especially to study, socialize or play pool!

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges to apply to?
A piece of advice I would give to a student who is researching colleges to apply to is to focus on colleges that have strong programs for their area of interest and to look into the student life of that campus. Each college is vastly different, and the specific type of community and environment may meet the needs of students differently. Look for colleges that fit your needs best.

Why is a college education important to you?
A college education is very important to me because it will set me up for success in my future career. Without a college education, I would not be presented with so many opportunities and resources that have given me valuable experiences toward my future.

What strategies do you use to manage your time between the responsibilities of school, work, friends and family?
To manage my time between my responsibilities, I try to take advantage of studying with friends. This allows me to be able to spend time with my friends, while being productive and achieving my tasks at the same time.

How do you stay informed about events and services that are available on campus?
I stay informed about events and services that are available on campus by following the various NIU social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook. These accounts post very valuable information about events and resources that I likely would not hear about without seeing this outreach.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
To relax and recharge, I really enjoy going on walks, listening to music, watching my favorite TV shows and appreciating nature, like at the East Lagoon!

Please tell us about your job and hobbies.
I am currently a telephone survey interviewer for the College of Health and Human Sciences survey research lab on campus. Prior to this job, I have been a waitress at a local restaurant in my hometown for over four years, and I still go back to work there over breaks! My hobbies include listening to music and exploring new artists, going on walks (especially with my dog) and spending time with friends.