NIU Today

Tracy is an inspirational super star for developing STEAM minds. On November 2, he met with a group of 10-11 year old local robotics students, engaging them through demonstration of stage technology. He taught students about the design process, collaboration, and teamwork. Way to inspire young minds and shine light on all the amazing work at NIU and within the School of Theatre and Dance! Thank you for your commitment to our youth!

As NIU recognizes its more than 1,000 international students and celebrates International Education Week with a variety of events , it’s important to note international students encounter challenges not often faced by U.S.-born students. From visa restrictions, travel logistics and cultural differences to time and distance away from family, it can be overwhelming. And, for even the most experienced student, much must happen quickly to be ready to study.

Standing Back Row Left to Right: Pavan Aratakatla; Nikhil Doddaga; Omobolanle Wunuken; Vaishnavi Peddiraj; Ivan Alejandro Carreon. Seated Front Row Left to Right: Dheeban Kumar Srinivasan Sampathi; Jyosna Vasili; Mina Rajaei Moghadam; Stanley Anukwuocha

Fortunately, a new program at NIU that assists international students in making the transition is off to a strong start. The International Student Ambassador Program (ISAP) launched last May with a call for applications and interest was strong. Nearly 50 students applied from a variety of programs, countries and degree levels and 10 were selected as the first ambassadors.

Stephanie Brown is Director of International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) and leads the new program. She says the kickoff exceeded expectations.

“The program has been a goal of mine for many years,” says Brown.  “And, the COVID-19 lockdown solidified the need for a peer-to-peer support program and system. It’s been an honor to watch this group work together to support their peers.”

As the fall semester began, ambassadors participated in Week of Welcome and Orientation, presenting, working check-in tables and welcoming students. Ambassadors also addressed more urgent needs, including helping find lost luggage, arranging childcare and supporting students with extreme homesickness.

“Our ambassadors are incredibly passionate about making the transition to life in the U.S. and DeKalb as smooth as possible,” says Brown.  “They can respond and mobilize incredibly fast. We had a couple of larger needs arise at the beginning of the semester and, in both cases, ambassadors were mobilizing support within five minutes. It was incredible.”

The first group of ambassadors, which includes both undergraduate and graduate students,  was selected based upon the students’ desire to help their peers, their diverse experiences, and campus and community involvement.

Jyosna Vasili is pursuing her master’s in management information systems and is from Nellore, India. She researched numerous universities for graduate study and chose NIU based on its reputation for cultural diversity, its treatment of international students, and the curriculum offered by the College of Business. She faced her own challenges as a new student and wants to give back.

“I joined the program to assist my fellow students and ensure their transition to campus life is as smooth as possible,” she says. “I wanted to share the knowledge I’ve gained about NIU, help them find the support they need, and make them aware of the university’s offerings. Knowing I can make a positive difference in their experience at NIU is incredibly rewarding.”

Brown’s team in ISSS works closely with international students before they arrive in DeKalb, offering pre-arrival online modules, step-by-step checklists to complete important tasks. Staff provide in-person orientation prior to classes beginning and walk-in office support. Those are just a few reasons why international students choose NIU, she says.

“NIU has made a campus wide commitment to developing a sense of belonging for our international students,” she notes.   “We offer a wide range of academic programs which allows us to appeal to many kinds of students and offer flexibility. And, we are close enough to Chicago for our students to experience what the city has to offer, including many options for pursuing internships and experience in their field of study.”

Omobolanle Wunuken is from Nigeria and is earning a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling. She says finding care for her children when she arrived was key to her success.

“One of the initial hurdles I faced was obtaining essential information about childcare and finding the appropriate school for my children,” she says. “Navigating these aspects was vital as an international student with a family because unresolved issues in this regard could hinder academic focus and contribute to mental health stress.”

Overcoming that challenge helped motivate her to join the ambassador program. “I became a part of ISAP because I recognized the significance of family support and several international students arrived with our families,” she says. “I’m currently dedicated to assisting numerous international students in overcoming similar obstacles by providing them with the right information and support.”

Brown is excited by the initial success of the ISAP and looks to grow the program in the future. She says international students being supported by others is critical to their long-term success at NIU.

“All the ISS staff have experience living abroad for study or employment,” she says. “This means we all have that extra level of understanding and empathy for our students.  However, none of us have needed to adjust to life in the US. The support of peers who have gone through the same experience adds a level of support to students that is unmatched.”

Krys, is an asset to her department, she works tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure her department is running smoothly and is always willing to lend a hand to anyone who asks. Her attention to detail is phenomenal. Thank you Krys for all you do!

Chad is an awesome individual. He doesn’t complain, even when we have him come back three or four times to help with installation of very heavy items on cinderblock walls. Everything looks fabulous, and Chad’s sense of humor is contagious. He definitely goes above and beyond for everyone. We need to keep this one around!

Northern Illinois University has entered an exciting new partnership to reenroll students who have stepped away from NIU.

As part of NIU’s Strategic Enrollment Management (SEM) Plan 2.0, NIU is embarking upon a new initiative, with the goal of reenrolling adult learners or “stop-out” students who previously attended but left prior to achieving a degree.

To help accomplish this, NIU is partnering with ReUp Education, an organization that specializes in recruitment of former students, to reach out and engage with more than 17,000 former students who attended NIU but stepped away during the past 15 years and have yet to complete their college education anywhere else.

This partnership aims to engage students who have stepped away, and position them to succeed when they return to campus. ReUp Success coaches have started active outreach to stop-out students to encourage them to return to NIU and complete their degree or credential. To date, more than 3,400 students have been contacted, with more than 400 indicating they are interested in returning to NIU.

“We are pleased to partner with ReUp to reengage adult learners and help them complete their degree at Northern Illinois University,” said Laurie Elish-Piper, NIU interim executive vice president and provost. “We look forward to bringing Huskies back to the pack and providing our full support and resources for their success, along the way.”

Research indicates the Some College, No Credential (SCNC) population has reached 40.4 million as of July 2021, up 1.4 million from the previous year. However, recent SCNC students were more likely to reenroll and complete a credential within a year after reenrolling.

As part of this initiative, ReUp will provide assistance to the individuals they recruit, both during their transition back to life as students and while they are active students. These students also will have access to NIU’s academic advisors to help them plan next steps, navigate through questions they may have and receive guidance and direction. This combination of resources sets students up to thrive once reenrolled at NIU.

The ReUp coaches provide personalized support, designed to help adult learners thrive in higher education by:

• Offering one-on-one conversations by phone, email or text.
• Exploring educational and career goals and developing personalized plans.
• Connecting students with resources and support to take the next step in their return.

“As a former adult learner, I know only too well the challenges that face other adult learners as they pursue a degree. Time, money and a support system are all crucial elements of a learner’s journey through higher ed, yet for too many of these degree-seekers, these factors are massive barriers to completion,” said Terah Crews, CEO of ReUp. “Through our new partnership with Northern Illinois University, we are helping expand the support and resources available for adult learners, in turn helping to make the rollercoaster ride of higher education just a little less turbulent.”

ReUp has partnered with more than 80 institutions to reenroll more than 26,000 students during the 2021/2022 academic year.

Now nearing the end of its third semester, a course that debuted in fall 2022 continues to help NIU students make a strong start once they graduate.

Almost 600 Huskies have enrolled in UNIV 301: Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator, a 3-credit elective online course taught by volunteer Leadership Coaches working in a variety of industries. Spring 2024 Registration is underway, with UNIV 301 offered on Tuesdays from 5:30-7:30 p.m. or Wednesdays from 2-4 p.m.

Students are grouped in small cohorts with the same Leadership Coach throughout the semester. These mentors provide students with valuable feedback and insights and help them prepare for internships, jobs and graduate education.  Students present a capstone project as a group at the end of the semester.

UNIV 301 is the cornerstone of a five-year partnership signed in 2022 between NIU and Braven Inc., to help students develop a strong foundation of skills, networks, experience and confidence to land an internship during their time at NIU or a job after graduation. Founded in 2013, Braven is a Chicago-based non-profit that works with underrepresented young people to help them make a strong transition from college to first jobs and graduate school.

Feedback from UNIV 301 has been positive. Diamond Burnett, a senior majoring in sociology and psychology, says the course opened doors for her that she didn’t expect.

“Feeling like I had the chance to become greater than I could have ever imagined is my favorite part of my Braven experience,” she says. “Though I’m a senior, UNIV 301 provided me with so much advice and insight.”

Burnett parlayed her experience in UNIV 301 into an internship this fall with Braven in Chicago working in programming and operations. “I’d strongly advise students to enroll in UNIV 301,” she says. “It provides them a change to expand their professional skillset, make connections with people who care about them and meet other students with similar interests.”

More than 300 NIU students completed UNIV 301 in the 2022-23 academic year within a range of majors. And, 89 percent identified as people of color, from low-income backgrounds or first-generation college students. Leadership Coaches have logged almost 2,200 volunteer hours serving students and completed more than 530 hours of mock interviews.

Jonathan Chaparro is Braven’s Executive Director of Innovation and heads its Chicago region. He says teams from both organizations quickly developed strong relationships that are benefitting students.

“We are encouraged by the number of in-person touchpoints at NIU that complement our virtual Accelerator program in providing students with high-quality engagements with faculty, volunteers and student peers,” he says. “They facilitate deeper learning, build relationships and community, promote active learning and engagement, and provide opportunities for feedback and mentorship.”

Support from Braven continues for students after they complete the course and throughout their time at NIU. Coaches leading the current NIU cohorts include professionals from Blackbaud, CIBC Bank, Deloitte, Google, Heil Environmental, H & R Block, LinkedIn, Microsoft and the U.S. Air Force. Past semesters saw Leadership Coaches from Allstate, Cambridge Computer, Medline, Nike, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Rockwell Automation, Salesforce, TJX Companies and others.

Leadership Coaches value their relationships with students. Jacquie Moen, Vice President of Content Strategy & Product Development at EVERFI, says one of the most rewarding parts of her experience was connecting with the students on a personal and professional level, especially because they were so present and focused. “Volunteering with Braven has returned so much value to me in my professional and personal life,” she says. “The experience helped me find my leadership style, develop mentoring and coaching skills, and learn to facilitate sensitive conversations in group settings”

Brian Pillsbury, Director of Career Services at NIU, says the course continues to evolve as NIU and Braven incorporate feedback from both students and Leadership Coaches.

“We’re refining aspects of the program, including how we communicate to both potential students and Braven Fellows,” he says. “Our Fellows value the team nature of the course and the focus on their career development.”

Amanee Muhammad completed the course in 2022 and will graduate in December with a degree in political science. She was pleasantly surprised at the career preparation the course offered. “Undoubtedly, I took for granted the efforts and due diligence that goes into strengthening and utilizing one’s career assets,” she says. “As someone about to enter the workforce, it makes a gigantic impact in who employers scout and deem as most qualified for hire.”

While any student in any major can enroll, the course is designed ideally for second-year students so they can receive ongoing support from Braven after they complete UNIV 301. NIU is one of just six Braven partner universities located in the Midwest and on both the east and west coasts. Braven’s Chaparro says faculty and staff can play a vital role in encouraging students to take the UNIV 301 course.

“I would encourage students to think about their career early in their college career,” he says. “We know from experience that it is ideal that students start to think about it during their sophomore year to ensure they have adequate time to obtain internships, research assistantship or other career accelerating/resume building experiences. That helps them be ready to land a strong first job or enter graduate school after graduation.”

Learn more about UNIV 301 at UNIV 301: Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator.

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Earlier this month, the College of Business was proudly accepted into the Latin American Council of Management Schools (CLADEA) at the organization’s 58^th annual meeting of the International Congress.

College of Business Interim Dean Denise Schoenbachler, along with Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs Anthony Preston, and Graduate Student Experience and Engagement Coordinator Bennett Piscopo, traveled to Argentina for the meeting where they received the college’s distinguished honor.

In its more than 50 years of existence, CLADEA has become an international organization that unites both higher education institutions and international organizations that are committed to the teaching and research of business. This organization supports administrative and academic management, creates spaces suitable for knowledge exchange, and promotes and publishes applied and theoretical research in areas of business management.

“Being invited to be a part of this prestigious organization is an incredible honor for NIU’s College of Business, and it will allow us to extend outstanding educational opportunities to more people around the world,” said Schoenbachler.

“By joining CLADEA, the NIU College of Business is pursuing new links with Latin America,” said Preston. “I know CLADEA encourages innovative partnerships between international universities, and its member institutions collaborate to develop management research. I am looking forward to what that will mean for our students, both in Illinois and around the world.”

Today, CLADEA is one of the largest business school networks in the world, with hundreds of member institutions around the globe, including 250 schools represented from Latin America. NIU is one of only eight schools from the U.S. that have been invited to join the organization.

“Last week our general assembly welcomed NIU into CLADEA with open arms,” said Manuel Ortiz de Zevallos, executive director of CLADEA. “We consider our organization a vital part of promoting the exchange of good practices in business education for Latin America, and we congratulate NIU and its leaders for making it a priority to cooperate and collaborate with our network of institutions.”

“Our faculty and staff are committed to the teaching and research of management at the highest level, and that is why this partnership is so important to us. Being a part of CLADEA will bring us so many opportunities, and I cannot wait to see what will come from those bonds,” said Schoenbachler.

Vicki is always such a joy to work with! I look forward to our weekly meetings, not only because she provides me with valuable information about the status of our postings, but because her kindness and positivity always make my day! She is truly an expert in her role and I rely on her for so much. She is always patient and considerate, taking the time to ensure I am clear on all of our hiring initiatives. I don’t know what I would do without Vicki!

Bret is an awesome carpenter. He does an A+ quality job, on a consistent basis. He always communicates with us to ensure he understands the needs of our operation before, during and after completing an assigned job. Thank you Bret!

I arrived late to a workshop at “The Real Talk Conference” and Junelle offered me her seat. I do use a cane however, I would have tried to manage or leave. Junelle offered her seat without me asking and I was surprised and happy. It was a great workshop and Junelles graciousness made my experience even better. She also offered to get my materials from check in when I shared that I had no idea what was next due to my late arrival. Junelle had on a volunteer shirt, however she offered before I asked and made all the difference. Thank you Junelle!