Kendall Hampton

Kendall Hampton is a Master of Public Administration (MPA) student from DeKalb, IL

Hometown: DeKalb, IL

Year: Class of 2025

What did you want to be when you were growing up? Are you pursuing that as a major, or have you taken another path?
I wanted to be a little bit of everything when I was growing up. Eventually, I settled into the idea of being a museum curator. My undergraduate degree is in history, and I worked in museums for several years before pursuing a graduate degree in public administration with an emphasis in nonprofit management to get more involved in my community.

What is your major (and/or minor) and why did you decide on this course of study?
I'm pursuing a Master of Public Administration degree with an emphasis on nonprofit management. I've always been passionate about serving my community, and this degree path allows me to do so in a meaningful and sustainable way.

What has been something you have found pleasantly surprising about your experience at NIU?
Growing up in DeKalb, I always discounted NIU. Driving by it every day almost made it lose the excitement of a university. However, after being an official Huskie, and now working in Altgeld Hall, I still love the energy on campus, and I can definitely feel the magic in the Altgeld atriums.

How have you connected with other students to study for classes, meet new people or form new friendships?
The MPA program has small classes, so it's been so easy to make a new group of friends. We have a lot of group projects, so some of us are usually obligated to get together, but we all make an effort to get together for games or dinner, too. Through my work as a graduate assistant (GA), I get to interview faculty, staff and students for the Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development (OERD) news site, or set up a table to engage with people at the Holmes Student Center. It's been so enjoyable to run into someone I met briefly and strike up a conversation.

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?
Not officially. In the MPA program, I've found valuable guidance from second-year students. We all get pretty close as a cohort, and it's so comforting to see fellow students at conferences or other events, to know I can ask them for guidance or advice, or just get together to talk about our experiences in the program.

What NIU offices, departments or resources have helped you feel safe, supported and successful? And how?
I am not just saying this as a graduate research assistant in this division, but the Division of Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development has been a huge help during my time at NIU. As someone who loves to get involved in my community and is always looking for new ways to do that, OERD offers resources to get connected. Similarly, Student Affairs and the Campus Activity Board ensure that there is always something fun and engaging to do on campus. I love that I can browse the calendar of events and plan out my week, filling it with interesting and often free events.

Who has been one of your favorite instructors/professors and why? What course did they teach?
During my undergrad, Dr. Beatrix Hoffman was one of my favorite professors. She courageously taught the History of Plagues and Pandemics (online) in the spring of 2021. This was my final semester of undergrad, and we weren't sure what the world was going to look like on the other side of graduation. On our final day in class (my final class of undergrad), she hosted a virtual talent show and played the piano for us. She also served as the faculty advisor on my senior thesis. In my graduate program, Dr. Greg Kuhn has been an instrumental support. He taught the first class of the program, an introductory public administration course designed to ensure students pursuing this degree are on the right path. Not only was the class incredibly informative, but his candid and authentic stories confirmed, for me at least, that I am definitely on the right path.

How have you benefited by attending class regularly?
Getting my bachelor's degree during a pandemic, I deeply missed the feeling of being in a classroom. Though NIU offers a fully online path for the MPA degree, I knew I needed some face-to-face interactions. I've met so many friends in classes and learned more from my instructors, and I believe that I take my classwork more seriously when I'm attending classes in person. It reinforces the investment I am making in myself and serves as a reminder of what I'm working toward.

Where is your favorite spot on campus or in the community? Why are you drawn to it?
The atriums in Altgeld Hall are my favorite spots on campus. The way the sun floods in makes it look like a magical place.

What advice would you give to a student who is researching colleges to apply to?
Don't discount the college that's closest to you or that someone you know attends/attended. The urge to go off and be different was huge for me after I graduated high school. I even moved away and went to a university out of state. However, I quickly realized that having a support system, having some familiarity and knowing what to expect can be big factors pushing you forward, not holding you back.

Why is a college education important to you?
I love learning. There are very few topics I can't get interested in after a little bit of research. Being in school enables me to continue learning from people who have lived it, rather than passively reading articles online (though I do that, too). It allows me to interact with the information, asking questions and starting discourse around topics that interest me.

What strategies do you use to manage your time between the responsibilities of school, work, friends and family?
I am a Google Calendar fiend. My friends make fun of me for sending Google Calendar invites for coffee dates or meet ups, but it keeps me organized so I don't overcommit myself.

How do you stay informed about events and services that are available on campus?
I read the Monday announcements every week. I love checking out flyers hanging around campus, and I check the calendar often to see if there is anything interesting happening on campus.

What do you do to relax or recharge?
I love hiking. During the summer, I try to spend as much time outdoors and in nature as possible.

Please tell us about your job and hobbies.
In addition to being a graduate research assistant in the Division of Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development, I also started a nonprofit organization in DeKalb County called Empower Parenthood Project. Our mission is to alleviate the burden of diaper insecurity by providing free disposable diapers to families in need.

Is there anything else you'd like to share about your NIU Huskie story?
When I was young, my family would take road trips via I-88. I always knew we were almost home when I saw the Holmes Student Center (which I lovingly called "Mr. Blinky") in the distance. It's kind of beautiful that NIU symbolized home even before I knew how big of an impact it would have on my life.