Taylor Hartman is passionate about what he does, and it shows. An American Sign Language (ASL) instructor and Excellence in Undergraduate Instruction Award winner, Hartman is known for being dedicated, enthusiastic and willing to go above and beyond for Huskie students and the campus community.
“It is such an honor to receive this award,” Hartman said. “It brings recognition to World Languages and Cultures as I believe we all are fantastic individuals that strive (for) the best for our students.”
Hartman joined NIU in 2015 as a part-time instructor of American Sign Language (ASL). After the ASL program moved to World Languages and Cultures in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Hartman became a full-time instructor and went on to establish a minor in Deaf Studies.
“I have strived to improve the quality of instruction over the years I have been here at NIU,” Hartman said. “The Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL) also enhanced my understanding of instruction with their workshops as well as collaborating with fellow instructors to improve the quality of materials used to teach ASL. The department has been very supportive in meeting the needs of our program.”
Hartman is recognized as an advocate for raising awareness of Deaf culture, and his classes are recognized as educationally enriching, student-centered and engaging.
“Instructor Hartman has excelled in helping students to develop an appreciation and knowledge in his subject area,” said student Amanda McGovern. “He developed the Deaf Studies minor within World Languages and Cultures with an emphasis on Cultural-Linguistic view which recognizes Deaf people as a minority cultural group with their own language.”
As a student of that minor, McGovern said, she has gained an important perspective that will help her in her career and in life.
“It promotes the right of Deaf people to have a collective space within society to develop and pass on their languages, traditions, and customs,” McGovern said. “I now have a deeper understanding of Deaf culture and canuse that in my future career as a speech-language pathologist or at any point that I interact with a Deaf individual.”
For Hartman, sharing his passion for ASL is an exciting opportunity.
“ASL is a fun language to learn,” Hartman said. “ASL itself has no connection with the English language; it is a language completely separate and distinct from English.”
For example, ASL has completely different language structures, grammar and syntax, Hartman said.
“Just walking into the classroom and teaching ASL and incorporating group activities is a pleasure to do,” Hartman said. “The students are eager to learn about the language, as it gives them a bilingual approach that they can apply to all kinds of career paths. Also, it gives me the chance to share the language that I have grown up with.”
“Through his work with the PCPD, he has co-authored several letters of recommendations for improving accessibility, one of which was implementing and testing Blackboard Ally,” McGovern said. “He has also collaborated with the Division of Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ADEI) to ensure that campus is accessible using the principles of universal design. The work that Hartman does not only improves undergraduate education at NIU, but the overall student experience.”
Hartman also is the faculty advisor for NIU Signing Huskies, an ASL club, and for two Greek Life organizations.
Hartman will be recognized during the 2023 Faculty Awards Ceremony on April 20 from 3-5 p.m. at Altgeld Hall Auditorium.
Date posted: April 12, 2023 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on Taylor Hartman named Excellence in Undergraduate Instruction Award winner
To Philosophy Professor Mylan Engel Jr., the community is a classroom.
His students learn philosophy by doing. They plant, weed, mulch and tend NIU’s Communiversity Gardens. They harvest and clean produce donated to the Huskie Food Pantry. They pack food for Feed My Starving Children. And they volunteer their time at an animal sanctuary.
During all these activities and more, Engel is working right alongside them.
He wants his students to leave class knowing they can make a positive difference in the world.
“Moral problems, like global and local food insecurity, aren’t just abstract problems; they’re practical problems with practical solutions. It’s important not just to present students with the problems, but also to empower them with real-world actions they can take to help alleviate these problems,” he said. “I want my students to be actively engaged in doing philosophy, not just reading about it.”
In the words of those who know him, he exemplifies what it means to lead by example.
Because of his efforts to inspire Huskies and others to engage in the world around them and connect their research and interests with broader community impacts, Professor Engel, Ph.D., earned the 2023 NIU Presidential Engagement and Partnership Professorship. The prestigious honor is given to NIU professors with outstanding records of community engagement.
A Presidential Teaching Professor from 2018 to 2022 and awarded the Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award in 2009, Engel teaches Department of Philosophy courses on “The Philosophy of Food,” “Environmental Ethics” and “Animal Ethics” at NIU.
“There’s hardly enough words to express how lucky Northern Illinois University is to have a professor like Mylan Engel,” said former student Autumn Martin in one of numerous testimonials written on Engel’s behalf. “He teaches for everyone…
“At the end of class, instead of an exam we were instructed to develop a food-related independent service project. During each presentation, you could physically see the passion and excitement everyone had on their face as they described how they could make a difference,” Martin remembered. “It was a feeling I will never forget.”
Along with inspiring Huskies, Professor Engel has taught abroad in partnership with the University of Maribor in Slovenia. He brought the first-ever animal ethics course to that country.
Testimonials written by former students, fellow educators and colleagues describe his contagious drive to engage with countless organizations, seminars, conferences and community programs and events.
“His passion and motivation to use philosophy as a tool to impact communities, especially around access to healthy foods never ceases to impress me,” said Michaela Holtz, executive director of Strategy, Impact and Academic Partnerships for the Division of Student Affairs.
“Mylan is well known in our community and has been recognized nationally thanks to his collaborative nature, excellence in curricular practices and willingness to share ways faculty can connect their research and interests with broader community impacts.”
Wherever Engel goes in support of his causes, he usually brings students along.
For instance, he’s taken close to two dozen Huskies to the five-day Vegan Summerfest, the leading vegan nutrition and vegan ethics conference in the country hosted each July by the North American Vegan Society.
There, one of his former students, Kristen Dawidiuk, remembers seeing Engel as not just a teacher, but also a leader.
“I was impressed by how much research he provided in his presentations and how thorough he delivered evidence-based information to listeners,” said Dawidiuk, who worked with Engel as a member of NIU’s Vegetarian Education Group. Engel has served as the faculty advisor for the group since 1996.
Dawidiuk credits her success as a dietitian today to the mentorship she found in Engel.
“Aside from lectures, Prof. Engel has also written countless publications dedicated to animal ethics and global hunger that are made publicly available. His publications have created ongoing discussions and demonstrates his genuine interest to share ideas with anybody willing,” she said.
“Prof. Engel sparked my sense of curiosity to learn more about global issues, to feel a sense of personal responsibility regardless of race or status, to accept other beliefs outside of my own and to give back to others. In return, I’ve received substantial knowledge that allows me to continue to inspire and educate my community in the way Prof. Engel inspired me.”
Engel ’s reputation extends far beyond NIU, where students are eager to take his courses. Numerous leadership roles have contributed to his success.
He joined the Culture & Animals Foundation (CAF) Board in 2008, served as vice president from 2008-2016 and is now the board’s longest serving member.
A pioneer in his field, he has earned the respect of fellow philosophers and has been featured in publications, including a 2022 interview with Engaged Philosophy.
“As a philosopher, Dr. Engel is particularly well-known for his work on the philosophical and practical problems related to animal welfare and his belief that philosophy can be used to address social issues,” said Ramona Ilea, professor and department chair of the Philosophy Department at Pacific University Oregon and one of the founders of Engaged Philosophy. She has known Engel for about 14 years.
“Philosophy professors are sometimes caricatured as being stuck in their ivory towers, removed from real life, with their heads in the clouds,” she said. “While this image is increasingly outdated, it is true that in philosophy, community engagement is rare… Philosophers have recently started to see the value of community partnership and civic engagement. But Dr. Engel was one of the early adopters.”
Date posted: April 12, 2023 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on NIU Philosopher Mylan Engel Jr. named 2023 NIU Presidential Engagement and Partnership Professor
NIU Biologist Barrie Bode’s passion and drive to engage are reflected in the advice he once gave a former student.
Alum Natalie Lubbers had a solid job as a lab supervisor but was considering a move to take on the COVID-19 fight with SHIELD Illinois, the University of Illinois System’s initiative to make a saliva-based test available throughout Illinois.
“He told me if we did not take this on, who would?” remembered Lubbers, now the director of laboratory operations and a technical supervisor with SHIELD Illinois.
“After my long conversation with Dr. Bode that day, I gave my notice to my previous employer and accepted the job with SHIELD. Since then, SHIELD Illinois has tested nearly 7 million students for the state of Illinois,” said Lubbers, who worked as an undergraduate student in Bode’s cancer research lab. “I use the knowledge and skills I learned in Dr. Bode’s laboratory every single day.”
Throughout his career, including 14 years at NIU, Bode’s relationships and partnerships with students, alumni, fellow researchers, educators and members of the community have resulted in countless biomedical research advancements, funding resources and opportunities.
He immerses himself in every role he takes on, from his well-known cancer research to more recent efforts to fight COVID-19. And he’s become a pioneer in his field.
Because of this and more, Professor Bode, Ph.D., earned the 2023 NIU Presidential Engagement and Partnership Professorship, a prestigious honor given to NIU professors with outstanding records of community engagement.
His commitment to both his students and his research spans far beyond the classroom.
As part of a partnership between NIU and Kishwaukee Water Reclamation District (KWRD), Bode oversaw the creation of a wastewater testing wastewater testing program that provides the university an unbiased snapshot of the SARS-CoV-2 viral load within the community at any given time.
To benefit both the NIU campus and DeKalb communities, he established a dashboard that reports out ambient levels of the SARS-CoV-2 virus three times weekly. The program recorded and predicted the delta and omicron waves.
“Simply, he developed a system (from scratch) for the collection, testing and analysis of wastewater to create a ‘canary in the coal mine’ to better inform and protect the NIU and City of DeKalb communities of increasing and mutating COVID outbreaks,” KWRD Executive Director Mark Eddington said in one of numerous testimonials written on Bode’s behalf. “I cannot imagine any more important work that marries public health, science and civic stewardship.”
In addition, a triangular partnership between NIU, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Shield program and Northwestern Medicine resulted in the Shield COVID-19 Surveillance Testing program that allowed NIU to re-open the campus in an informed manner in spring of 2021.
University of Illinois System SHIELD Illinois representatives Ron Watkins, managing director, and Andrew Greta, senior director, praised Bode as an early leader and partner with the SHIELD Illinois program in August of 2020.
“With his clinical expertise in laboratory science, along with his ability to bring disparate resources together for a common cause, Barrie never wavered in his contributions to mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic emergency,” they wrote.
“While Barrie may be an ‘eternal partner’ on paper, he is considered a valuable part of the SHIELD Illinois team and someone we can depend on to transcend institutional boundaries in the name of a greater purpose.”
Through NIU’s newly created Wastewater Surveillance Laboratory, Bode now serves as director of Wastewater Surveillance Testing Facilities at NIU. He stepped away from his role as NIU Biological Sciences department chair from 2009-2020 to take on the new position.
“The partnerships with Shield and KWRD have since intersected and have allowed us to expand the wastewater-based epidemiology program from three community sites to seven campus sites—specifically, each of the student residence hall complexes,” Bode said.
“We have created an internship through KWRD and have started training students in the testing lab, with long-term plans to establish a new interdisciplinary program in public health,” he said. “The ecosystem established between NIU and its partners is thus fulfilling and enhancing our missions of student training and benefitting the public health of the region.”
A regular contributor to many of NIU’s outreach events, such as STEM Cafes, and other educational seminars, Bode’s passion for teaching and providing research opportunities for students is evident.
He counts himself as blessed to have worked with “amazing students” through the years. Thanks to transformative and often inspirational experiences in the lab, many of those students have gone on to pursue dream careers.
“His passion for science and commitment to enhancing learning beyond the classroom are unmatched, and his sense of civic responsibility is contagious,” said John Hinckley, now earning his Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (cancer research) from Ohio State University.
Date posted: April 12, 2023 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on NIU Biologist Barrie Bode named 2023 NIU Presidential Engagement and Partnership Professor
NIU Physics Professor Andreas Glatz is working to meet the demands of an ongoing technological revolution—one that requires a keen understanding of the quantum world, where the normal rules of physics and nature fly out the window.
In the quantum or subatomic realm, electrons are particles—and waves. A subatomic particle can be both here and there—simultaneously. Two particles that are far apart can instantly interact with each other—something Einstein called “spooky actions at a distance.”
In this otherworldly world, Glatz applies a unique combination of skills acquired in his training in the most advanced methods of modern theoretical physics. As both a theorist and computational scientist, he develops pioneering high-performance-computing methodologies and models requiring complex algorithms to simulate the subatomic-level interactions and phases of matter, such as liquid to solid, or superconductivity.
As a result, Professor Glatz expands our understanding of the fundamental properties of matter, paving the way for development of new materials, devices and areas of research.
The professorship is NIU’s top recognition for outstanding research or artistry. It has been given out annually since 1982 to select faculty in recognition and support of NIU’s research and artistic mission. Award winners receive special financial support of their research for four years, after which they carry the title of Distinguished Research Professor.
Glatz, who holds a joint appointment with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory, is internationally renowned for his work in superconductivity, computational physics and condensed-matter physics—all areas that involve keen knowledge of the quantum realm.
“Andreas’ talent to solve sophisticated problems in theoretical physics utilizing state-of-the-art computational and analytical methods are exceptional.,” says Wai-Kwong Kwok, a senior scientist at Argonne. “His research has driven several new approaches to elucidate and to enhance the applicability of superconductors, and his new foray into soft condensed matter physics has already led to new concepts that will impact current and future research in this area.”
Professor Glatz, who has directed five Ph.D. dissertations, frequently involves post-doctoral and graduate students from NIU and other universities in his research. He has authored nearly 100 scientific papers, published in prestigious scientific journals. He also has been a principal or co-principal investigator on grants totaling nearly $20 million.
In recent years, his unique skillset has allowed Glatz to turn his attention to quantum information science and its applications.
Scientific understanding of the rules of quantum mechanics—the fundamental theory in physics describing the behavior of microscopic particles—enabled the invention of transistors which are the building blocks of modern (binary) computers. That was the first quantum revolution. Now scientists say we’re in the midst of a second that will allow scientists to control the quantum state of matter which further has enabled the development of novel technologies such as quantum computing devices.
Using his expertise in modelling and simulation, Glatz is actively using quantum computers to solve problems in quantum physics.
“Currently, we are in the middle of a worldwide ‘second quantum revolution,’ which promises the exploitation of quantum mechanics to create the next generation of computers, sensors and devices,” says NIU Omar Chmaissem, a distinguished research professor of physics. “Dr. Glatz’s expertise poises him to become one of the leaders in this imminent second quantum revolution.”
Date posted: April 12, 2023 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on Andreas Glatz named Presidential Research, Scholarship and Artistry Professor
Throughout her nearly 25-year career at NIU, Psychology Professor Christine Malecki has positively impacted the lives of countless children, adolescents and young adults, near and far.
Typically, her work is behind the scenes—developing assessments and interventions that will be used by others to improve K-12 students’ lives. But in the world of school psychology research, Malecki stands out as a trailblazer.
“She clearly breathes rarified air among school psychology researchers,” says Randy Floyd, chair of the Department of Psychology at the University of Memphis. Floyd notes that Malecki’s research publications have garnered a “breathtaking” number of citations—now exceeding 11,000.
Recognizing her past achievements and future promise, NIU has awarded Malecki with the 2023 Presidential Research, Scholarship and Artistry Professorship, the university’s top recognition for outstanding research or artistry. It has been given out annually since 1982 to select faculty in recognition and support of NIU’s research and artistic mission. Award winners receive special financial support of their research for four years, after which they carry the title of Distinguished Research Professor.
Since 2008, Malecki has served as director of the university’s School Psychology Program, which offers an advanced specialist degree and Ph.D. in school psychology. School psychologists focus on factors that impact students’ success in schools, including the role of teachers, peers, families and communities. Malecki has guided more than 30 students toward their doctoral degrees in the field, while also obtaining funding to recruit underrepresented students to the program.
During her time at NIU, Professor Malecki also has built a research program investigating and promoting three primary areas related to youth: social support, peer relationships, and written language assessment and intervention. But her promise as a researcher was evident even well before she earned her Ph.D.
At the University of Wisconsin-Madison during the 1990s, Malecki’s master’s thesis forwarded the early development of a scale to measure social support, or the overall perception a student has of feeling included and cared for in a community of peers, teachers and others. The scale is now used worldwide.
Malecki is now considered a leading expert on how socially supportive peer and adult relationships can enhance student outcomes. She has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications and 12 book chapters, while producing nearly 200 professional presentations. NIU students are highly involved in her research, having co-authored 35 of her publications.
A 2022 study of “citation classics” in school psychology journals found that Malecki had four of the top 100 most cited articles in the school psychology field. She also is a member of the invitation-only Society for the Study of School Psychology (SSSP), an elite research organization that allows a maximum of only 150 members.
Not surprisingly, Malecki’s work has attracted substantial funding. She has been a project director or co-director on grants totaling $8 million. They include a recent U.S. Department of Education award of $5.1 million to train working teachers as school psychologists.
Part of Professor Malecki’s success as a scholar comes from the connections and partnerships she has nurtured with school districts. In line with this high level of engagement with her field, Malecki was honored in 2014 as an NIU Presidential Engagement Professor.
“Her research trajectory is strong,” says colleague Amanda Durik, an NIU professor of psychology. “Christine will continue to have a sustained and growing influence on the field and the students served by her work.”
Date posted: April 12, 2023 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on Christine Malecki named Presidential Research, Scholarship and Artistry Professor
Physics Professor Omar Chmaissem has an impressive vitae that showcases his achievements both in and out of the classroom. That career includes nearly 30 years of teaching, as well as appointments at the National Institute of Standards and Technology and Argonne National Laboratory.
However, it’s this statement from a former student that seems to best encapsulate what those in his classrooms and labs experience and what’s led to his appointment as one of the new NIU Presidential Teaching Professors: “Although he is a world-renowned and respected scientist in his field,” says Sevda Avci, a physics professor at Istanbul Medeniyet University in Turkey, “I believe the following quote he often uses with his students summarizes his friendly personality and approach toward education—‘We are learning together, my friend.’”
First established in 1991, the NIU Presidential Teaching Professors program recognizes and supports faculty who excel in teaching. Recipients of this award have demonstrated over time their commitment to and success in the many activities associated with outstanding teaching. Recipients are granted budgetary support and release time to enhance their teaching skills.
Dr. Chmaissem joined NIU in 1999 as a visiting associate professor after serving as a post-doctoral fellow and assistant physicist at Argonne. He was named assistant professor at NIU in 2001, associate professor in 2007 and professor in 2015. His teaching accomplishments were recognized in 2020 when he was named an NIU Distinguished Research Professor, and he’s held a position as physicist at Argonne in the Materials Science Division since 2001. Despite those accolades, he says it’s the success of his students of which he’s most proud.
“I have great admiration for those students juggling multiple jobs and are responsible for kids and families, all while pursuing their dream of a better future,” he says. “It’s obvious their path to academic success is not paved with roses, and I strongly believe our responsibility as educators is to identify those struggling students and offer all the support and assistance they need to ensure success and equitable opportunities.”
His NIU colleagues are enthusiastic supporters of Professor Chmaissem. They note his teaching skills both with undergraduate and graduate students, his ability to help students obtain experience out of the classroom with some of the country’s top scientists at leading facilities and a focus on scholarship and service activities.
“His qualifications are showcased by an exceptionally high level of excellence,” says NIU Physics Professor Andreas Glatz. “The pandemic added many challenges to teaching in the last three years, but Professor Chmaissem went the extra mile taking part in programs to deliver the best possible online education. He’s truly a highly motivated and devoted teacher of the highest caliber and everybody in the department can be fortunate to have him as a colleague. His high productivity and strong commitment to students and education has never wavered.”
Professor Chmaissem’s students speak of the impact he’s had on their professional lives. Matthew Krogstad earned his Ph.D. in physics from NIU and is now an assistant physicist in the X-Ray Sciences Division at Argonne. He says Dr. Chmaissem inspired him at a moment when he was considering leaving academia after a difficult undergraduate experience.
“His confidence was infectious and by the end of my first year as a master’s candidate, he had taken an interest in my academic career and suggested I would be well suited to pursue a Ph.D.,” he says. “Omar’s enthusiasm kept me going at times when I felt quite discouraged. He has inspired his students and put them in a position to make contributions at the forefront of materials research. The success of his former students in research is a strong testament to his capabilities as a mentor. Omar exemplifies the best of NIU as an educator and scientific leader.”
Professor Chmaissem will now serve four years as a Presidential Teaching Professor, after which he’ll be designated a Distinguished Teaching Professor.
“As an educator, I strive to promote an environment that nurtures positivity and a feeling of belonging,” he says. “Moving forward means ensuring that the torch is passed to a new generation of young adults dreaming of a brighter future and eager for the opportunity to make a difference.”
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Date posted: April 12, 2023 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on Professor Omar Chmaissem named 2023 Presidential Teaching Professor
The impact Professor Michelle Demaray has made during more than two decades at NIU stretches far beyond the university.
It’s felt in the countless students she’s mentored, the international and national leadership roles she’s held, the millions of dollars in funding she’s helped secure and the valuable research she’s conducted and published to help improve the lives of youth in schools.
In the words of colleagues and students, her passion for teaching, NIU and her field of study is evident in everything she does.
Because of this and so many other valuable assets, Demaray, Ph.D., has been named a 2023 Northern Illinois University Board of Trustee Professor.
“Professor Demaray is an internationally known psychologist focused on school psychology—specifically in the area of bullying in children. Indeed, she is among the most well-known experts in school psychology in the world,” said Robert Brinkmann, Ph.D., dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Beyond that, he said, she receives glowing reviews from her students and is one of the most respected undergraduate teachers in the Department of Psychology.
“Students are drawn to her not because she is a productive researcher, but because she is a thoughtful and caring mentor,” Brinkmann said.
In more than a dozen letters of support written by colleagues at NIU and beyond, students and alumni, Demaray is described as personable, welcoming, engaging and highly knowledgeable.
More than a mentor, she becomes a friend to many.
“Dr. Demaray goes above and beyond in all aspects of her career, and especially in supporting her students,” said alum Stephanie Fredrick, Ph.D., who now serves as associate director of the Alberti Center for Bullying Abuse Prevention and as an assistant professor in the Graduate School of Education at the University at Buffalo.
“She is a critical reason I have a successful career in academia, not only due to the scholarly opportunities she afforded me, but also because she was and continues to be a role model for me.”
As a an out-of-state, first-year graduate student, Logan Riffle felt homesick. Demaray invited her to dinner with her family.
“This was a small indication of the support she would offer over the next four years,” said Riffle, a doctoral student in psychology and a predoctoral intern at Boys Town Center for Behavioral Health.
When Riffle’s fiancé proposed, Demaray also was among the first called.
“She has truly been an important part of my life during these past four years, and I know that she will continue to be an important source of support as I navigate my career,” Riffle said.
A member of NIU’s faculty for 24 years, Demaray won the Presidential Research Professorship in 2017. Among numerous other accomplishments, she assisted with American Psychological (APA) Accreditation for NIU’s School Psychology Program, secured more than $8 million in grants—with more in the works—and achieved leadership roles both on campus and beyond.
She serves as president elect of the Society for the Study of School Psychology, a premier research group in her field, and became the first female editor of the society’s Journal of School Psychology from 2015 to 2019. In 2020, Demaray was awarded APA Fellow Status, an honor bestowed upon APA members who have shown evidence of outstanding contributions in the field of psychology.
“During my time at NIU I have continually strived to support the mission of NIU by empowering students through experiential learning while engaging in scholarship that benefits the region, state, nation and world,” she said.
As the Director of Undergraduate Studies for NIU’s Department of Psychology, she played an active role in starting and running the department’s social media account and organized the department’s first graduation event, held in Altgeld Hall last spring with more than 150 families in attendance.
“What is so noteworthy about Dr. Demaray’s approach to this role is her dedication to engaging students and building a sense of community among them and within the department,” said Psychology Professor Amanda Durik, former chair of the Department of Psychology.
Lengthy testimonials written by current and former students talk of Demaray’s commitment.
“Not only did she inspire me to become a professor, but she is also an excellent example of how to be an outstanding professor,” wrote Lyndsay Jenkins, Ph.D., an NIU alum who now serves as associate department chair for Educational Psychology and Learning Systems at Florida State University.
As her doctoral advisor, Demaray inspired Jenkins to receive a Ph.D. and ultimately enter academia.
“I have learned from her that ‘success” is not only about publications or accolades, but about the people’s lives that you impact along the way,” she said. “It is difficult to put into words how much respect I have for Dr. Demaray and the gratitude that I have that I was able to work with such a fantastic professor.”
Date posted: April 12, 2023 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on Psychology Professor Michelle Demaray named 2023 Board of Trustees Professor
When Donna Werderich became a teacher in 1993, she consciously made that profession her identity.
Even her vanity license plate – POPQUIZ – and her personal email address with the same seven letters have manifested that since the beginning, and she’s still happy to answer “Yes!” when strangers ask if she’s an educator.
“Donna is the ‘heart and soul’ of the Middle Level Teaching and Learning program, which spans the College of Education and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences,” says Laurie Elish-Piper, dean of the College of Education.
“She led the development of the program from the ground up, and she continues to work with faculty in the program to ensure their courses and rich, relevant and engaging for future middle school teachers,” Elish-Piper adds. “Her passion for teaching, and her commitment to students, are evident in all she does.”
Middle school is not where Werderich’s career began – her first job after graduation from Concordia University, where she earned a B.A. in Elementary Education, was teaching kindergarten in suburban Norridge – but middle school is where she has made her mark in language arts classrooms and later in preparing Huskies to follow in her footsteps.
And now, more than two decades into her NIU career, Werderich has added two more titles in the same year: Presidential Teaching Professor and recipient of an NIU Excellence in Online Teaching Award.
Werderich came to NIU to make what she calls “a ripple effect” through preparing teachers who will go on to impact countless children.
Kristen L. Walsh, a doctoral candidate and adjunct professor, says Werderich “exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding classroom teacher.”
“She establishes a positive classroom environment and teaches the necessary skills to voice, listen to and deeply understand each other’s points of view,” Walsh says. “She consistently encourages her students to consider how their viewpoints and opinions link back to the evidence and theories presented in course readings.”
Jan Solano, who earned her B.S.Ed. in Middle Level Teaching and Learning in 2020, is “eternally grateful” for Werderich.
“My eyes were opened to the uncomfortable but powerful truth of the home lives of families and children who suffer from the effects of trauma and how harmful experiences manifest in behaviors and interactions seen in the classroom,” she adds. “There was much to unload, and not only did Donna help introduce me to methods to dissect, organize and synthesize the hundreds of notes taken on the experience, but she also helped me to process the heavy emotions I was feeling.”
Elementary Education major Tina Grimmer felt honored to take Werderich’s LTLA 341: Teaching Language Arts in Elementary School course.
“She applied rigorous standards to student performance and utilized discussion boards, peer conferencing, breakout rooms during synchronous sessions and an Author’s House to encourage peer collaboration,” Grimmer says. “She demonstrates respect for her students in the same way she expects it to be returned. NIU needs more professors who take the time to get to know their students and push them to succeed, especially in the world of online education.”
Werderich continued to deliver the course in a hybrid format after the pandemic to demonstrate to her future teachers a format that promotes differentiation and flexibility with models for various modalities of teaching and learning that align with state standards on integrating technology into the instruction of writing.
Student evaluations applaud “ample opportunities to try new things,” discussion questions that “really got me thinking as I observed my mentor teacher the following day,” a “multimedia memoir project (that) was a fun and engaging way of assessing our learning” and a professor who “was extremely supportive and always responded to questions quickly.”
Cynthia Paralejas, a senior instructional designer at NIU’s Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning, has supported Werderich in preparing courses for an online environment.
“Through the years, Donna continued to improve and enhance her hybrid courses by incorporating innovative best practices she learned from attending various CITL programs and conversations with colleagues, especially feedback from her students,” Paralejas says.
“Donna is mindful of the opportunities and challenges inherent in establishing learner-content, learner-instructor and learner-learner engagement,” Paralejas adds, “and establishes clear guidelines on appropriate netiquette and expectations of professionalism online and during face-to-face interactions to help foster a welcoming community of learners.”
Michael Manderino, an associate professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, says Werderich “uses her pedagogical skills to drive her instruction. As a result, she builds courses and experiences that are driven by her objectives and practices rather than simply selecting technology tools to be added to her courses online.”
“Every NIU Huskie, from preservice elementary and middle level teachers, in-service teachers and doctoral candidates who have Dr. Werderich as a professor are privy to responsively designed, engaging and innovative online courses that prepare them to be successful teaching professionals,” Manderino says.
“It is abundantly evident that students feel valued and respected by Dr. Werderich because of her thoughtful and innovative course design,” he adds. “They are willing to take risks and be vulnerable in their writing unlike any course I taught or observed. The students also reported immense growth in knowledge and confidence in writing and their abilities to teach it.”
Date posted: April 12, 2023 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on College of Education Professor Donna Werderich earns two awards: NIU Presidential Teaching Professor, Excellence in Online Teaching
“It is the combination of his scholarly activity, service and student engagement with his moral character that sets Dr. Wright apart,” says Bill Pitney, professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education.
“He is honest, fair, beneficent and responsible, and acts with compassion and dedication toward others,” Pitney adds. “This has allowed him to position himself as a well-respected scholar and leader who effectively communicates the impact and value of his work to improve youth development in our society and, subsequently, advance the reputation and mission of the university.”
Behind it all is Wright’s relentless and boundless ambition to provide young people with transformative physical activity experiences facilitated by caring adults, the underlying concept of Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility (TPSR) through sport.
Such work can positively alter the directions of lives, Wright knows, which continues to lead him throughout the region, across the nation and around the world to deliver foundational and interventional programs while teaching others to do the same.
Receiving the NIU Board of Trustees Professorship and its stipend now are part of that calling, as Wright has pledged to apply the financial support toward expanding his outreach as an ardent and influential force for good.
Laurie Elish-Piper, dean of the College of Education, calls Wright “an extraordinary professor who excels in all areas of his work in teaching, scholarship and service.”
“Truly, he is a scholar of limitless curiosity, passion and energy in the promotion of Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility though sport and his belief in the potential of physical education to positively impact social and emotional learning and social justice,” Elish-Piper says.
“On our campus, and throughout his international community of practice, he is an incredibly generous, collaborative and highly respected colleague who continues to ‘pay forward’ the mentorship that provided him with direction in his life and nurtured his career in education.”
Everything Wright accomplishes, she adds, “only motivates him to think more broadly about what is possible and within his reach to turn these ideas into actions and then to involve his students in the process so that they are equipped with hands-on experiences that allow them to continue in his example and to dream big themselves.”
Colleague Tom Martinek, professor of kinesiology at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, has witnessed just that in his professional interactions with Wright – and says that Wright’s efforts “will have a lasting impact.”
“His commitment to the betterment of young people is grounded in his belief that all youth have strengths that can be nurtured, and that all youth can make a positive contribution to their community,” Martinek says.
“The field of youth development and its kinship to sport has grown in the past decade; Paul’s work has been an integral part of this work. He is one of a few scholars who has consistently stayed with a line of applied inquiry that views programs through both practical and theoretical lenses,” he adds. “Paul’s work has been able to move us closer to an understanding of ‘how’ and ‘why’ kids respond in various ways to their sport experiences.”
Meanwhile, Martinek says, “many of Paul’s students have followed in his footsteps and have become credible researchers and program facilitators. Their ability to communicate in a scholarly and clear way is a great reflection on Paul’s strong mentorship.”
NIU alumna Karisa Kuipers is among them.
Kuipers, who earned her master’s and doctoral degrees in Kinesiology and Physical Education at NIU with support from Wright, is inspired by “his prominence in the field as well as his commitment to positive change.”
She collaborated with Wright on two published manuscripts as well as a book chapter and, in becoming an instructor in her home department, remains under his mentorship during her first year of teaching a graduate-level research class.
“My insight into Dr. Wright’s excellence in teaching in the classroom came through the opportunities to guest-lecture in his graduate and undergraduate courses. It was clear that he authentically integrates his research and service into the classroom,” Kuipers says. “Furthermore, the feedback that he provided to help me continue to develop in my teaching was critical.”
Current student Tim Mahoney, a graduate research assistant earning his M.S.Ed. with a specialty in Sport and Exercise Psychology, considers himself proud and fortunate to count Wright as a mentor.
The professor “has gone above and beyond to make sure that the students he interacts with are taught with respect and with enthusiasm, while challenging how they think and learn, to become more well-rounded individuals,” Mahoney says.
“It isn’t often that we come across someone so selfless with a willingness to help others grow in ways they might not have thought possible like Dr. Wright does every day,” he adds. “This mentor-mentee relationship has allowed me to learn much about myself, gain more confidence in myself as an aspiring professional and realize how deeply he genuinely cares about the students at NIU while growing the university’s reputation.”
Date posted: April 12, 2023 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on Paul Wright named 2023 Board of Trustees Professor
Patricia Wood, M.S. ’82, remembers her time at NIU fondly, claiming it gave her the confidence to try for a writing career.
For Patricia Wood, M.S. ’82, it was a long and winding road to becoming a critically acclaimed author.
Still, no matter her age or stage, writing was always a cornerstone of her life. Even early on, she found creative ways to tie writing to her hobbies and jobs.
Growing up in Seattle, Washington, she was compelled to write stories as soon as she “learned how to handle a pencil,” she said.
Wood was also always a voracious reader—the quality she believes is the most crucial characteristic of a good writer.
“Reading books led me directly to creative writing. It was fortunate that journalism classes were offered at both my junior high and high school, and I was active on the newspaper staff. I loved writing feature stories, seeing them published, and being read by my classmates,” she said.
In high school, Wood entered an essay contest run by the Seattle Times, asking why fans loved the band The Monkees, and her heartfelt response won a prize.
“This affirmed my desire to write and was a positive reinforcement,” she recalled.
While she adored literature and the creativity of making her own stories, Wood pursued a much more practical road at first. In 1972, after graduating from high school, she joined the U.S. Army, was trained as a medical technologist and stationed just outside of Washington, D.C. at Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. When she was discharged in 1974, Wood obtained her associate’s degree in medical technology, followed by her bachelor’s degree in biology. In 1976. she relocated to the small town of Troxel, Illinois, which is about 12 miles from NIU, where she worked at Kishwaukee Community Hospital in DeKalb as a medical technician.
“I knew I wanted to do more and applied to Northern Illinois University,” Wood said. “I never considered myself all that smart or talented, but when I started classes at NIU, the teaching and guidance gave me confidence that I was capable.”
Wood noted that, in retrospect, she would have really wanted to go into creative writing during her undergraduate education, but pragmatism won out.
“I was not quite brave enough at that time,” she said. “I thought I’d better stay in my field and work in hospital laboratories as a financial safety net. I continued my studies and obtained my M.S. in biology from NIU in 1982. All my professors at NIU were supportive and encouraging, but rigorous.”
During that time, Wood also had a young family, and her son Andrew spent many afternoons playing in the university grounds and running from the notoriously aggressive geese while she was attending class.
“It was a struggle completing my course work, doing research, and teaching, plus working nights at the hospital and taking care of my family,” Wood said. “I don’t know how I did it. As I consider and reflect, I believe that the writing intensive coursework was excellent preparation for life as an author. Remember all this was before the internet and personal computers so all writing was done by hand or on typewriters. There was no Googling I spent hours in the library doing research.”
After graduating from NIU, Wood moved back to Seattle and worked as a medical technologist. As a hobby she taught horseback riding through the University of Washington Experimental College. She divorced her first husband and remarried in 1986 to Gordon Wood.
Published in 2007, Lottery’s film rights were recently sold.
“All the while, I wrote articles for horsemanship magazines and kept journals,” she said. “I moved to Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1991 and continued to work as a medical technologist and continued to write in my spare time. In 1997, I changed careers and attended University of Hawaii to obtain a post-baccalaureate certificate in secondary education.”
Wood then taught marine science in the Hawaii Public School System while also participating in shark research on Midway Atoll through the Waikiki Aquarium. It was a busy time full of her varied interests and passions.
“I did underwater photography as a scuba diver and used my photos in my classroom,” she said. “I competed in jumper equestrian events. In 2003, my husband and I bought a 50-foot sailboat and lived aboard, and I learned to sail. I helped crew sailboats from Hawaii to California.”
She then took a leave of absence from teaching and was accepted into the Ph.D. program at the University of Hawaii. In 2007, she received her Certificate in Disability Studies and used this time to not only do required papers for her doctorate courses, but she also wrote manuscripts. Finally, the timing was right, and Wood’s writing career began to take shape. Having finished all of her coursework besides her dissertation, Wood decided to put her schooling on hold to focus entirely on writing novels.
In 2005, she began attending the yearly Maui Writers Conference and retreat and learned about the business of writing and being published. She completed three manuscripts that were unpublished before she had the idea for her now-beloved first novel, Lottery, which was published with Putnam, an imprint of the Penguin Group, in 2007.
Lottery follows Perry L. Crandall who, with an IQ of 76, must navigate an increasingly complicated life after he wins the multimillion-dollar jackpot. The book was pitched as a high-concept hook like Forrest Gump meets Powerball, and after going to auction, Wood landed a nearly unheard-of six-figure publishing deal for her debut work. When the book hit shelves, it garnered critical acclaim and was shortlisted for the 2008 Orange Prize for Fiction in the UK, which is an international prize for women’s fiction.
“I was gratified by the success of Lottery, as I had hopes but no expectations,” she said. “In reality, I write because I have to write. I must write. Not because I want or need success or publication. If that happens, then it’s the icing on the cake. I write because it releases my creativity.”
Over the years, Wood has been bolstered by how Lottery has impacted her readers.
“I continually see how Lottery resonates with readers. I participate with many book clubs, with schools, with library programs, and this outreach shows me that Lottery speaks to people who know those who are marginalized by society,” Wood said. “We need empathy and understanding for those who are differently abled. In fact, we need empathy and understanding for everyone. Lottery is a unique way to understand the idea of the medical model of disability–or a person is defined and limited by their disability–versus the social model, where everyone is capable and those capabilities can transcend their perceived limitations. I believe that this is why many teachers use my novel in their classrooms, both at the secondary and university levels.”
These days, Wood continues to write, even when manuscripts are not accepted by her agent or publisher.
“The thing is that each rejection—and I’ve had many—leads to a conviction to try harder and write more,” she said. “Each failure spurred me to try even harder and persist. I persevere in the face of rejection, and this is a hugely important characteristic for authors.”
While Wood’s current manuscript is being pitched to publishers by her agent, she recently got some exciting news. The film rights for Lottery were optioned by 3311 Productions with David Permut, the producer of 2016’s Academy Award-winning Hacksaw Ridge, set to produce.
“The film deal for Lottery is a thrill and a dream,” she said.
Even as Lottery may come to the big screen, Wood continues her outreach with schools, universities and book clubs. Lottery was recently selected for “One Book, One School” reading program at Norwalk Community College, and Feilding High School in New Zealand will be using Lottery in their English classes.
Wood has been asked to speak with teachers through the University of Connecticut who use her novel in their classrooms, as well.
“There is always a path forward. I am guided by my readers and my inspiration to create stories that readers will delight in,” she said. “As I have mentioned, the outreach with readers, teachers and classrooms is a continual joy. To see the impact my novel has had is immensely gratifying.”
Looking back at the meandering path Wood took to her career as a writer, she credits NIU with giving her the support and encouragement she needed to believe in herself.
“As I have mentioned before I had excellent professors. Electives in art history and enrolling in the required literature classes enhanced and contributed to my total education,” she said. “Receiving support and encouragement in each one of my classes allowed me to realize my full potential. Learning how to write technically for my master’s thesis laid the groundwork and gave me courage to write creatively.
“I have fond, fond memories of NIU. It was a simpler time and place, but it was the foundation for the person I have become and success in the career path I have chosen.”
Date posted: April 11, 2023 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on Author Patricia Wood, M.S. ’82, lands film deal for acclaimed novel Lottery
NIU’s Course Materials Affordability Taskforce (CMAT) presented the inaugural Affordable Course Materials (ACM) Department Awards—part of the Leading Impact Program, which recognizes academic departments’ and individual faculty members’ adoption of Open Educational Resources (OER) and low-cost materials.
In 2022, affordable course materials designators—zero cost or low-cost ($40 or less)—were added in MyNIU to help students search for courses with affordable materials. CMAT used these course attributes to identify the departments offering the highest percentage of course sections with affordable course materials for the 2022-23 academic year. The winners:
Departmental Achievement Award: Department of Philosophy—73% of courses designated low or zero cost
Departmental Honorable Mention: College of Business UBUS courses—65% designated low or zero cost
Departmental Outstanding Effort: Department of English—64% of courses designated low or zero cost
Winning departments were presented plaques at college senate meetings and will be receiving monetary prizes funded by University Libraries.
Thousands of students are already benefitting from these efforts, and these departments’ continuing commitment will mean thousands more will in the future. Visit the Open Education website for more information about the Leading Impact Program.
Date posted: April 11, 2023 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on Departments recognized for leading the way with affordable course materials
Roxanna Conner, an experienced theater professional with a background in education, administration, production and as a community builder and mentor, has been selected as the director of the NIU School of Theatre and Dance. Conner will begin her new role at NIU on July 1.
Conner is currently serving as interim director of education at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, following two years as acting managing director and producing director of engagement of Victory Gardens Theatre in Chicago, where she had previously worked as director of education. She has also served as education director at Congo Square Theatre and audience education director for the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Illinois.
She said she was intrigued by the opportunity at NIU, and her interest was only heightened by the students, faculty and staff she met during the search process.
“It’s just a remarkable community, with really talented, driven and sincere people who believe in the work,” Conner said. “They want to encourage this next generation of artists and give them the support that they need. That’s at the core of who I am.”
Paul Kassel, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts said that Conner’s wide-range of experience in theater and education make her the right person to continue to take the program forward.
“We are all extremely excited about Roxanna Conner joining NIU and leading the School of Theatre and Dance,” Kassel said. “Ms. Conner brings to the position deep theatre expertise and professional savvy along with remarkable wisdom and compassion. We were all impressed and inspired by the clarity of her vision for the future of the theater and dance fields, and how the school will be a necessary and important part of creating that future. I look forward to working with her to elevate the visibility of the school and to build upon its strong and vibrant program, accomplished faculty, and wonderfully talented students.”
Conner’s education experience includes working with students from every age from preschool to college. Over the last nine years, the theater programs she has led have focused on high school students and college internship programs. “I understand what it means to be in a place of learning,” she said. “I know that no one who chooses that field path does so because it is easy. They do it because they are dedicated people, and those are the kinds of people that I want to be around and work with.”
Conner said that her nearly two decades of experience in Chicago theater and her contacts with artists, and with executive and managing directors of large and small theaters, will be an asset as she works to build partnerships that will provide NIU theater and dance students with more hands-on opportunities and to work with visiting artists and attend masterclasses.
“I’m very excited about the possibilities of partnerships and creating opportunities for the students and faculty with organizations in places like Chicago, Milwaukee or Madison, that will not just elevate the School of Theatre and Dance, but NIU, while giving each individual exposure and experience that will be life-changing for them.”
“There is a sea change in this industry with regards to diversity, equity and inclusion,” Conner said, “I’m really interested in the ways we as a community can embrace that on campus and in the School of Theatre and Dance. Not only embracing it in a way that we are living up to what folks are expecting professionally, but preparing students, with transparency, for what that looks like in the real world. So that they enter the workforce with a perspective of understanding how those decisions are made.”
She said she understands the challenges that the pandemic has had on getting audiences back to theaters of all kinds.
“I’m interested in taking on the challenge of how we get more people in seats because that’s who the performances are for,” she said. “Figuring out how we develop that community in DeKalb and the surrounding area is really of interest to me.”
Date posted: April 10, 2023 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on Roxanna Conner named new director of NIU’s School of Theatre and Dance
