Category: Alumni
Growing up in a diverse neighborhood in Detroit, with neighbors of various backgrounds and cultures, and as part of a family with different skin tones, ethnicities and backgrounds, had a tremendous influence on Monique Bernoudy, M.S.Ed.’92. “I was and still am a curious person. I was interested in science, sports, how people engage, and equity, although...
When Pettee Guerrero, NIU alumna and director of the NIU National Safety Education Center, was tapped to lead NIU Continuing and Professional Education (CPE), she drew on her experience with community engagement and lifelong learning to envision an expansive program to meet 21st century workforce needs. She’s spent the past year expanding CPE’s online presence...
Outreach and engagement come naturally to Rena Cotsones, M.P.A. ’04, Ph.D. ’13. Growing up in Kankakee, Illinois, Cotsones’ dad was a Greek immigrant and owned a restaurant, which served as a local gathering spot for lots of different kinds of people. “My dad loved nothing more than connecting people for employment, supporting fellow small business...
History Professor Sean Farrell and his former doctoral student Mathieu Billings have a new book out that sheds light on the history of Irish people in Illinois from the colonial period to the 21st century. Farrell and Billings, now a faculty associate in history and political science at the University of Indianapolis, will deliver a...
When David Maki, ’89, sets off for a day’s work as NIU’s School of Music’s coordinator of music theory and composition, he knows it will be filled with beautiful melodies. Teaching music theory and aural skills classes, as well as private composition lessons, a typical day involves teaching classes in the morning, teaching lessons in...
STEM Fest is back in person on Oct. 23, with interactive learning fun for all ages. NIU STEM Fest started more than a decade ago as a festival to celebrate innovations in science, technology, engineering and math. The free annual event has now become a family tradition that welcomes visitors of all ages to hear...
NIU alum, Abby Jeppson, was awarded the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) Distinguished Early Career Professional (ECP) certificate. The certificate was created to recognize and identify early career professionals in the fields of audiology and speech-language pathology who are making an impact in the areas of leadership, volunteering, or advocacy at the local, state, and/or national...
Director of Scholarships and Student Financial Services Anne Hardy, M.S. ’10, thinks of herself as a walking, talking “Huskie Legacy.” “My mother earned her master’s degree from NIU. My grandmother worked at NIU, and my husband’s grandmother worked at NIU,” she said. “I believe in our mission and am so proud to be part of...
Catrina Sanfilippo Catrina Sanfilippo long has understood the value of mentoring, something that continues to influence her career path. Now the certified athletic trainer and current graduate student in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education is reaping the benefits of networking. Thanks to a contact from her current freelance gig with ATI Sports Medicine, Sanfilippo volunteered in...
NIU Associate Dean for the College of Health and Human Sciences Beverly Henry, ’83, wears her Huskie Pride like a badge of honor. After 35 years in health care education, she firmly believes in the university’s mission and the good its students are doing in the world. “I think NIU continues to be an institution...
This will be the second year of the exciting Thousands Strong fundraising event, which helped provide more than $2 million to students and programs last year. Thousands Strong is an opportunity for alumni and friends to engage with NIU in an exciting, virtual initiative that will increase and expand alumni pride and engagement, and celebrate...
Growing up in Schaumburg, Illinois, Tim McGill always liked the weather. In fact, while most people were hiding from severe storms in their basement, McGill often found himself glued to the windows or outside getting a front-row seat to Mother Nature’s beauty. “Somewhere there is an old eight-millimeter film of me riding a bike up...
