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Feb. 16, 2026

The Weekly Scroll of Things to Know.

 

Keep Your Personal Information Secure

Living and learning in a digital environment poses risks to your personal information. It’s important to practice caution in online interactions to avoid becoming a victim of phishing attempts—a form of cyber-attack where someone ‘mimics’ another person, university or business with the hopes of tricking you into providing your personal information.

Learn how to keep your information secure
 

Join us for NIU Cares Day of Service March 27, 2026

NIU Cares brings together NIU students, faculty, staff and alumni to serve and support the DeKalb community for our annual day of service Friday, March 27, 2026.

The day kicks off at 11 a.m. in the Ellington Ballroom, Holmes Student Center where you will meet your service team, enjoy a complimentary lunch, get free Cares Day merch and learn about your service project. Then, from 1 to 3 p.m., you'll take part in your service project. Transportation will be provided to your assigned location and back to Holmes Student Center once you’re done.

Participants engage in a variety of service projects, such as:

  • Cleaning up parks and public spaces.
  • Assisting at food banks or shelters.
  • Helping local nonprofits with projects.
  • Supporting community centers and schools.

It’s a day dedicated to service, engagement and Huskie pride, reinforcing NIU’s commitment to making a positive impact. Sign up today. The deadline to register is March 9.

 

Join us Wednesday for the All-Majors Internship and Job Fair

Get ready for the All-Majors Internship and Job Fair taking place on Wednesday, Feb. 18. 

Attending a career fair is a valuable opportunity to learn about different industries, make important professional contacts, practice your interviewing skills and gain intelligence about the job market within your major and outside of it. With a little preparation and a focus on some key details, it can be a worthwhile experience.

Learn how to prepare for our career fair
 

Become A Global Citizen! Learn about our Study Abroad Opportunities

Study Abroad Italy Presentation/Study Abroad 101 Session
11 a.m. to noon Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026
Holmes Student Center, Room #506

Join us for an overview of SAI study abroad programs offered in Italy, Spain and France. Our SAI representative will be available to answer your questions. We will also have a quick Study Abroad 101 session after SAI's presentation.

Study Abroad Day Open House
3 to 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, 2026
Study Abroad Office, Williston 417

Come join us to celebrate Study Abroad Day 2026. All students welcome! Ambassadors will highlight their experiences/photos and host international-themed activities such as trivia contests, crafts, games and puzzles. International food/snacks will be provided, and all attendees will be entered into raffle drawings for study abroad prizes.

Learn more about Study Abroad
 

Present at our Conference on Undergraduate Research and Engagement (CURE)

Our Conference on Undergraduate Research and Engagement (CURE) takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 28 at the Holmes Student Center, and you’re invited to be part of it. This is your opportunity to share your research and artistry project or engagement experience.

Students ranking in the top of their respective award category have the chance to win a monetary prize and their work to be published in Huskie Commons.

Registration is open until March 25.

How to Register

You’ll choose one of two registration options based on the type of project you completed:

  • Option 1: Research and Artistry Presentation — Does your project involve a faculty-mentored investigation or creative inquiry aimed at making a scholarly or artistic contribution to knowledge? If yes, you’ll submit the research and artistry application, which includes a short abstract. Check out the quick How to write an abstract for CURE video to make sure it meets our guidelines.
  • Option 2: Engagement Showcase — If your project is a hands-on, high-impact experience that doesn’t use the research cycle, you’ll register for the Engagement Showcase.

Not Sure Where Your Project Fits?

No worries. You can view all the categories on the Present at CURE page. Still unsure? Just email ugresearch@niu.edu with a brief description of your project.

 

Take Our Campus Climate Survey. Your Responses Are Anonymous.

NIU’s Campus Climate Survey being administered and analyzed by Viewfinder, LLC. is open now until March 6, 2026. The survey, which was sent to your NIU email address, will take approximately 15 minutes to complete and includes sensitive topics related to individual identities, discrimination, sexual harassment and the overall campus experience. These topics may bring about different emotions, and there are several university resources available to support you before, during or after taking the survey. 

Individuals who complete the survey can enter to win one of several prizes through a separate link shared at the end of the survey. Prizes include Huskie gear, free Qdoba chips and salsa vouchers, free Starbucks drink vouchers, tickets to NIU musical and theatre performances, enjoying a slice of pizza with university leadership, and more! 

 If you have questions, please reach out to JadeSilva Tovar, Assistant Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at equity@niu.edu. Further information can be found online. 

 

NIU seeks volunteers to help host FIRST Tech Challenge State Championship on March 7

Northern Illinois University will be a hub of robotics and STEM activity on Saturday, March 7 with the FIRST Tech Challenge Illinois Championship coming to campus.

Open and free to the public, the tournament is from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the NIU Convocation Center, 1525 W. Lincoln Highway. The event blends creativity and science, as 7th to 12th grader students apply their technical acumen, teamwork and all-around tenacity.

Learn more about the competition and register to volunteer
FIRST Robotics Competition
 

Call for Nominations for the Presidential Commission on Persons with Disabilities Awards (PCPD)

The PCPD invites nominations for the Exemplary Advocate Award for Faculty/Staff, the Exemplary Advocate Award for Community Partner, and the Gregory Long, Ph.D., Award for Excellence in Service and Leadership. Please see the Presidential Commissions Award site for more information and to access the nomination form. Nominations are being accepted through Monday, March 2, 2026.

 

Presidential Commission on Race and Ethnicity (PCORE) accepting nominations for Deacon Davis Awards

PCORE announces its call for nominations for the 2026 Deacon Davis Awards. This award recognizes significant contributions made by students, faculty, staff, departments or organizations in advancing belonging and the campus culture related to race and ethnicity on Northern Illinois University's campus. Awards will be presented at the Joint Presidential Commissions Awards Ceremony Thursday, April 30, 2026. Learn more. 

Nominations and one additional letter of support are due on or before Monday, March 23, 2026. Submit your nomination.

 

Join the Northern Ambassadors

Share your NIU story as a paid Northern Ambassador with the Office of Admissions. Lead campus tours, speak on panels, and welcome prospective students and guests while gaining leadership, public speaking and customer-service experience. Flexible hours and training are provided.

Responsibilities include leading tours, supporting events, assisting with outreach and front desk/call support, and attending trainings.

Benefits include paid, on-campus employment, leadership development, networking opportunities, résumé-building and flexible scheduling.

Northern Ambassadors Hiring Workshop: Feb. 21, 2026. Apply by Feb. 19 to be invited.

Application and more information.

Questions? Contact Ethan Wybourn at ewybourn3@niu.edu.

Help shape the next generation of Huskies and apply today!

 

Student Insurance Waiver Deadline

Students taking 9 or more credit hours are automatically billed $1,378.00 for student health insurance for spring 2026. You can find more information regarding the plan on our Student Health Insurance website. 

If you have comparable insurance and would like to cancel the plan the Student Health Insurance Enrollment and Waiver site is open through Feb. 28, 2026.  You will find the link to Enroll/Waive in the blue box on our website.  This is an online process only.

Have any questions?  Email us at studentinsurance@niu.edu.  

The waiver deadline is firm; therefore, students who do not waive the student health insurance by Feb. 28 will be enrolled for annual coverage under the plan and no refund will be given.

NOTE: If you completed the insurance waiver for the Fall 2025 semester, you do not need to complete the insurance waiver for the Spring 2026 semester.

 

Upcoming Events

Visit the NIU Calendar to view all upcoming events.

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  • Through Feb. 28: Black Heritage Month
  • Monday, Feb. 16: Crafting Connections
  • Tuesday, Feb. 17: CEET Job and Internship Fair
  • Tuesday, Feb. 17: Lunar New Year Luncheon & Cultural Presentation
  • Tuesday, Feb. 17: Throwback Tuesdays at the Huskie Den
  • Tuesday, Feb. 17: Lunar New Year Craft Workshop
  • Tuesday, Feb. 17: Procrastination Café
  • Wednesday, Feb. 18: In Living Color: An Exploration of Black Cinema
  • Wednesday, Feb. 18: Crash Out Course
  • Wednesday, Feb. 18: Chilling with Chase and Friends
  • Wednesday, Feb. 18: Spring 2026 All-Majors Internship and Job Fair
  • Thursday, Feb. 19: BOT Committee and Special Board Meeting 
  • Thursday, Feb. 19: Student Appreciation Day at Huskie Books and Gear
  • Thursday, Feb. 19: Half Price Thursdays at the Huskie Den
  • Thursday, Feb. 19: Reclaiming Space: Beading as Community and Cultural Expression
  • Thursday, Feb. 19: Crash Out Course
  • Thursday, Feb. 19: Connect: Sharing Cultural Stories
  • Friday, Feb. 20: Friday Glow Bowl at the Huskie Den
  • Friday, Feb. 20: Went to a Career Fair, Now What?
  • Friday, Feb. 20 through Sunday, Feb. 22: Antígona Furiosa - presented by the NIU School of Theatre and Dance
  • Sunday, Feb. 22: Fifth annual Ukrainian Play Reading Project - Blue Potatoes, Yellow Guns
  • Tuesday, March 17: Strategies for College Success: Tips from Peers & Experts
  • Wednesday, March 25: Juan Ignacio Mora
  • Tuesday, April 7: Graduate School Panel: Is Grad School for You?
  • Thursday, April 9: Michael Staudenmaier
Huskie Athletics' events
Concerts, exhibits and performances
Inclusive Excellence events
Career Services events
 

Tips from Fellow Huskies

Reece Piper

"Attending class regularly has helped me stay on track with homework and other activities in the class. It also helps you understand the class better because your professor is there to walk you through it if you have any questions or concerns. Attending class will help me learn the most information I can and will greatly benefit my future."

Reece Piper
Meteorology major

Stephanie Uhr

"The best advice I can give is to reach out to the resources available on campus, especially to other students. That can be tricky for some who do not know many people on campus. However, getting involved with student-led organizations and searching out what NIU offers can expand your friend group immensely. Sometimes, you do not realize what help you need until you get advice from others."

Stephanie Uhr
Instructor in School of Nursing

 

Upcoming Deadlines

  • Saturday, Feb. 28: Deadline to waive Student Health Insurance for Spring 2026 semester
  • Monday, March 2: Presidential Commission on Persons with Disabilities Awards nomination deadline
 

This message has been approved for distribution by the appropriate NIU party and is distributed by the Division of Enrollment Management, Marketing and Communications. NIU Mass Email Policy.

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Northern Illinois University's vision is to be an engine for innovation to advance social mobility; promote personal, professional and intellectual growth; and transform the world through research, artistry, teaching and outreach. Learn more about NIU’s vision, mission and values.