Sport management wasn’t on the radar until his doctoral program at Purdue University.
“Growing up, I was always interested in science. I thought I wanted to work in that field. I thought I possibly wanted to be in quality control/quality assurance working for Anheuser Busch or Molson Coors,” says Howell, a native of Fort Wayne, Indiana.
“At the end of my master’s degree, my interest started to change,” he adds. “I had been working in the Purdue Athletic Department and campus recreation, and I had an opportunity to work as a graduate assistant in campus recreation, specifically in intramurals.”
One month later, Howell’s boss abruptly left – and the GA suddenly found himself in charge of intramurals.
Meanwhile, his thought to earn a master’s degree in sport management turned into a Ph.D. in Health and Kinesiology with that specialization.
Fate then intervened yet again as he completed his dissertation.
“Purdue had funding for me for one more year, but an opportunity came up in mid-May for a visiting assistant professor job at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, Illinois, and I thought, ‘Hey, why not?’ ” Howell says. “So I threw my hat into the ring, and I was fortunate enough to get hired for the one-year appointment that turned into a tenure-line appointment. I was fortunate enough to ‘fake-it-till-you-make-it,’ and I’ve been here ever since.”
Anderson Hall
Now, as department chair, Howell will apply his preparation in the hard sciences to boost his leadership of faculty in physical education, exercise science and athletic training along with colleagues in his own field of study.
“Having that science background has really helped me to better understand kinesiology, exercise science, exercise physiology and athletic training because I understand the biology and chemistry enough where I can serve on thesis committees and understand the curriculum and the programming,” he says. “We are such an interdisciplinary, transdisciplinary department.”
Laurie Elish-Piper, dean of the NIU College of Education, is happy to welcome Howell aboard.
KNPE, she says, will thrive with Howell’s “wealth of leadership experience” that includes prior service as associate department chair, director of Graduate Studies and the university’s Faculty and SPS Personnel Advisor.
“Dr. Howell is a very strategic thinker and also an expert communicator who can share his ideas,” Elish-Piper says.
“I’m very excited to see Steve bring his passion and innovative spirit for cutting-edge curriculum, student-focused programming and engaged learning,” she adds, “and I’m really looking forward to him having the opportunity to put those ideas to work with the KNPE team, to work with others in the college and to collaborate with others around campus to develop those ideas into reality.”
The new major complemented the minor in sport sales, a collaboration with the NIU College of Business.
It also paired well with new minors that include sport analytics and sport journalism (both in partnership with department sin the NIU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences) as well as the minor in Esports Industry Professions.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Howell alerted his students to a 12-week seminar series hosted online and for free by Boston-based sport marketing firm Fenway Sports Management.
Partnering with Jenn Jacobs, associate professor of Sport and Exercise Psychology, Howell developed a mentoring program to improve retention of students of color.
Howell also helped to coordinate and lead an Engage U.S. trip for first-year graduate students in Sport Management to glimpse operations of the NCAA, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Purdue University’s athletic and recreational sport facilities.
Steve Howell and Engage U.S. travelers at the NCAA headquarters.
He also joined in the college’s maiden Engage Global journey as part of the ENVEST Sri Lanka project.
Beyond the College of Education, Howell was a participant in the university’s PI Academy for Research & Engagement and a fellow of the Mid-American Conference’s Academic Leadership Development Program.
This rich tapestry of experiences should prove beneficial, Howell says.
“Often times, folks can become siloed in their own programming area, and don’t always see what happens in other programs, and I think being able to touch on all those different programs in my time as director of Graduate Studies and associate chair has given me a greater understanding and appreciation,” he says.
Steve Howell
“It’s also helped sort of the lessen the learning curve a little bit – I still have a heck of a lot to learn – and it’s given me opportunities to interact regularly with all of our faculty, not just those in my home area,” he adds.
“When you start off as a young assistant professor, you want to be the best teacher and the best researcher and a good departmental citizen, and you don’t really think about administration or leadership. It’s been nice for me to have some high-level touch points, and I hope the faculty know who I am and know me a little bit better.”
Going forward, Howell plans to build on the strong foundation he’s been provided.
“I want to continue the great work of Todd Gilson, Chad McEvoy, Paul Wright, Paul Carpenter and Judy Bischoff. I want to continue on those successes that we’ve worked so diligently and strategically to create and establish, like our PALS, Project FLEXand Human Performance programs, and to maintain the great culture our department has,” he says. “We’ve got fantastic students, a fantastic faculty and a fantastic staff, and I want to continue our momentum and be able to celebrate our successes together.”
Date posted: August 30, 2022 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on New KNPE chair Steve Howell pledges to sustain momentum, celebrate success
Attention NIU Faculty and Staff! The Grand Opening of Mission’s Grove is a week away and the NIU Alumni Association wants to make sure that you are recognized for all the time and hard work you put forth in helping our Huskies succeed as students.
For Faculty/Staff Appreciation Night, the first 100 faculty and/or staff with a valid NIU OneCard will receive a $5 voucher towards any of our four food truck vendors (Open Door Coffee, Home Run Hot Dogs, Strawberries BBQ, Jah Love Jamaica and We Got U), prior to the Huskies’ season-opening football game against Eastern Illinois (7 p.m.) on Sept. 1. Mission’s Grove, which opens at 4 p.m. that day, also features tasty beverages from alumni-owned Pollyanna Brewing & Distilling and Waterman Winery & Vineyards.
Attendees will also be able to purchase NIU alumni merchandise at our alumni gear table. Guests will be visited by their favorite four-legged mascot, Mission, enjoy a performance by the NIU Huskie Marching Band, and partake alongside other alumni in “Mission’s March” to Huskie Stadium 45 minutes before kickoff.
Mission’s Grove, which is located in the Oderkirk parking lot, which is adjacent to the Barsema Alumni & Visitors Center.
Date posted: August 24, 2022 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on Faculty and staff invited to celebrate opening of Mission’s Grove
NIU continues to focus on making sure first-year students, both freshmen and transfers, make a successful transition into NIU. A new Student Life website should help make that experience easier to manage.
From meeting fellow students and learning about the Huskie experience during the Week of Welcome to living with a roommate, navigating the myriad differences between high school and college, facing midterm exams and battling homesickness, first-year students are handed various challenges. The new website offers new and returning Huskies a wealth of information, resources and tips to help find success in their first year and continue in subsequent years.
The site is organized around six themes: Find Your Community, Explore Resources, Stay on Track, Be Well, Navigate Your Finances and Keep Informed. The site also includes short videos, event listings and quick tips.
Date posted: August 24, 2022 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on Updated Student Life website offers resources for new and returning students
Gerald C. Blazey, a physicist whose impressive NIU career spans a high-profile joint appointment with Fermilab, a stint working for President Obama’s administration and seven years as head of the university’s research enterprise, is planning to retire June 30.
Northern Illinois University Vice President of Research and Innovation Partnerships Jerry Blazey.
Blazey currently serves as Vice President for Research and Innovation Partnerships (RIPS). In the wake of his announcement, NIU President Dr. Lisa C. Freeman said the university will conduct a national search for Blazey’s replacement, guided by a search committee to be headed by College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean Bob Brinkmann.
“Dr. Blazey has been a key member of our NIU community more than 25 years, and we are grateful for his comradery, his outstanding work and his leadership in the physics department, in Washington, D.C., and in our Division of Research and Innovation Partnerships,” said Dr. Freeman, noting that Blazey most recently ushered in development of the planned $23 million Northern Illinois Center for Community Sustainability (NICCS).
“Fortunately, we’ll benefit from Jerry’s talents for another academic year,” President Freeman added. “In the meantime, I have every confidence in Dr. Brinkmann’s ability to lead our search for someone who will continue to build on the momentum created by Jerry, his team, and our faculty.”
The RIPS vice president plays a crucial role advancing the mission of the university by supporting individual researchers and building teams and collaborations across units and with other institutions. The division has facilitated exceptional growth in sponsored programs funding. Non COVID-19-related sponsored funding has increased by almost 40% in the last five years and 11% since last year, to more than $42 million.
The State of Illinois recently announced it will begin the design phase of NICCS. The center is part of the Illinois Innovation Network (IIN), a group of state-funded research and innovation hubs that are under development and aimed at driving economic growth in Illinois while addressing critical global issues. In addition to his stewardship role on campus with NICCS, Blazey is the inaugural chair of the Illinois Innovation Network Council, which coordinates collaboration between IIN members.
Working with the divisions of University Advancement and Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development, Blazey also last year helped launch the Strategic Development Team, which looks for new ways to create, enhance and fund transformational university projects.
“The time is right for me and for the university,” Blazey, an American Physical Society fellow, said of his retirement announcement. “Our research and innovation enterprises are growing, we’re making strides toward expanding our transdisciplinary collaborations among faculty, and we have the new NICCS center on the horizon. The staff in RIPS are tremendously dedicated and collegial—they are an awesome team. The next VP will have all the ingredients to take research and innovation to the next level.”
A scientist specializing in high energy particle physics, Blazey took on his current role in May 2015. From 2011 to 2014, he served as a senior policy advisor at the Office of Science and Technology Policy in the Executive Office of the U.S. President. In that role, he was involved with the development of President Obama’s budgets for the National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and also participated in initiatives around exascale computing and quantum physics, as well as geopolitical issues. During the previous four years, he worked with the DOE Office of Science, where he served as program manager of the International Linear Collider Program.
Prior to his intergovernmental personnel assignments in Washington, D.C., Dr. Blazey also had a distinguished career as an NIU faculty member. He came to NIU in 1996 after working at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory near Batavia. At NIU, he helped establish and served as co-director of the Northern Illinois Center for Accelerator and Detector Development, eventually spearheading the establishment of a university group in accelerator science and technology that is one of the largest and most diverse in the country.
With support of NIU, Blazey served two terms as elected co-spokesperson for Fermilab’s international DZero collaboration, among the world’s premier experiments in particle physics. His efforts contributed to important discoveries and helped establish techniques that laid the groundwork for progress in the field of accelerator physics.
In 2000, Blazey was recognized with NIU’s Presidential Research Professorship, the university’s highest honor for outstanding research. He later was named NIU presidential science advisor, a position charged with assisting university leadership in the development of scientific initiatives and coordinating the university’s work with federal laboratories.
“A university is a fascinating and gratifying place to work, and I’m extremely grateful for my years at NIU and the support the institution offered throughout my career,” Blazey said. “I’m also honored to have had the opportunity to work and collaborate with our brilliant and dedicated colleagues.”
Date posted: August 24, 2022 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on Science advocate Jerry Blazey, head of NIU research enterprise, to retire in June
NIU Professors Melissa Lenczewski and Ricela Feliciano have both recently won Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program awards.
NIU Professor Melissa Lenczewski
Fulbright Scholar Awards are prestigious and competitive fellowships that provide unique opportunities for scholars to teach and conduct research abroad. Fulbright scholars also play a critical role in U.S. public diplomacy, establishing long-term relationships between people and nations. Alumni include 61 Nobel Laureates, 89 Pulitzer Prize winners, 76 MacArthur Fellows and thousands of leaders and world-renowned experts.
The benefits of a Fulbright Scholar Award extend beyond the individual recipient, as Fulbright Scholars raise the profile of their home institutions as well.
Lenczewski, a professor in the Department of Earth, Atmosphere and the Environment, will conduct research in Cambodia and Thailand for four months beginning in February. She will be taking a Khmer language course at NIU this fall to provide her with basic skills in the language.
“Our Center for Southeast Asian Studies has numerous connections in this part of the world in fields such as political science, anthropology and language studies,” Lenczewski said. “I’m hoping to build research relationships in environmental studies, with one goal being to create collaborative processes and research opportunities for our students.”
Lenczewski, who formerly served as director of NIU’s Institute for the Study of Environment, Sustainability, and Energy (IESE), also will conduct research on the effect of urbanization on groundwater and water quality near the capital cities of Phnom Penh and Bangkok. Her collaborators will include faculty with the Royal University of Phnom Penh.
NIU Professor Ricela Feliciano
“I’m very excited,” she said. “Because I’ll be there for a significant time period, I’ll be able to develop stronger relationships and research ties and get to know the people better. Living in a culture makes a big difference.”
Feliciano, an assistant professor of mathematics, traveled to Colombia this month and will visit the South American country again from May 1 to June 30. She is conducting research on mathematical learning in rural Colombian secondary schools along the Caribbean Coast near Barranquilla.
“During my first visit, teachers are being offered free in-service sessions on designing culturally relevant mathematics curricula,” Feliciano said. “On my second visit, I will assess how teachers and students are progressing with the community-based pedagogy.
“The exchange will benefit underserved secondary school students and their teachers,” she added. “In the process, the project will advance my research agenda and build a link between NIU and the Universidad del Atlántico.”
Feliciano will collaborate on her research with NIU’s Kevin Palencia, an assistant professor of Mathematical Sciences; Mariana Ricklefs, an NIU assistant professor of Curriculum and Instruction; and a faculty member at Universidad del Atlántico.
Date posted: August 23, 2022 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on Melissa Lenczewski, Ricela Feliciano named Fulbright Scholars
M. Courtney Hughes has been named NIU’s NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative.
M. Courtney Hughes, associate professor of public health in Northern Illinois University’s College of Health and Human Services, has been named NIU’s NCAA Faculty Athletics Representative, President Lisa Freeman and Vice President and Director of Athletics Sean T. Frazier announced Thursday.
As the Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR), Hughes plays a strategic role in ensuring the academic integrity of the intercollegiate athletics program, serving as a liaison between the institution and athletics and monitoring the student-athlete experience. She represents the university in Mid-American Conference and NCAA meetings. The FAR is also responsible for ensuring, either directly or indirectly, that student-athletes meet all NCAA, conference, and NIU requirements for eligibility to practice, receive financial aid and compete.
“We are very pleased to welcome Dr. M. Courtney Hughes to Huskie Athletics as NIU’s new Faculty Athletics Representative,” Frazier said. “In this critical time of change across intercollegiate athletics, I look forward to Courtney’s perspective as a newcomer in this role – and as a former student-athlete – as we work together to move NIU Athletics forward.”
“I am delighted that Dr. Hughes has agreed to serve as FAR,” Freeman said. “She is well-suited for this important role because of her experience as a student-athlete and expertise in public health. Dr. Hughes also participated in the 2021 Emerging Faculty Leaders Program, an intensive professional development experience that emphasized development of leadership and mentorship skills. I am confident that Courtney Hughes will be a strong role model for student-athletes and an important advocate for balancing academics and athletics in ways that allow Huskies to thrive in the classroom and in competition.”
Hughes joined the NIU faculty in 2018 as an instructor in public health and was named an associate professor in 2019. She has expertise in access to care, health behavior change, and health disparities. Her recent work examines cancer prevention and control, improving palliative care, and supporting caregivers.
She holds a Ph.D. in health services from the University of Washington and a master’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Michigan. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance and business economics & computer applications from the University of Notre Dame, where she was a member of the women’s tennis team and earned the Knute Rockne Scholar Athlete Award.
“It is a true honor to be appointed as the FAR,” Hughes said. “This is an exciting time in college athletics, and I look forward to serving NIU student-athletes, administrators and faculty as we navigate change while continuing to pursue Huskie excellence on and off the field.”
Date posted: August 23, 2022 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on M. Courtney Hughes named NIU Faculty Athletics Representative
The biennial celebration of The Northern Star’s past, present, and future resumes this September.
Tri-Swine-Omega 1960s reunion at the Northern Star Alumni Hall of Fame Banquet at the Barsema Alumni & Visitor Center in 2018
The twelfth Northern Star Alumni Awards Banquet and Hall of Fame Banquet will take place on Friday, September 16, at Northern Illinois University’s Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center, plus the 1970s-era Star reunion continues on Saturday, September 17 with a tailgate and the NIU vs. Vanderbilt football game at Huskie Stadium.
“It’s an extraordinary legacy event that recognizes outstanding Northern Star alums old and new. Our distinguished list of hall of famers date back to 1899 and the beginnings of the university,” said Mike Korcek, ’70, the president of the Star Alumni Association. “Take a look at the hall of fame roster. It’s quite a list and the 2022 induction class maintains the strong Star tradition.
“That’s not to forget the Star 1970s-era reunion,” Korcek added. “It should be a great weekend. Four years ago, the 1960s Tri-Swine-Omega had a blast reminiscing. Plus the 1970s reunion committee will be announcing their Phil Kadner endowment initiative. Exciting news for future Star journalists.”
The Northern Star Alumni Hall of Fame class of 2022:
Diane Dungey, ’81, former senior deputy managing editor at the Arlington Heights Daily Herald
Kathy Gosnell Seiler, ’67, former copy editor at the Arlington Heights Daily Herald and Los Angeles Times
Marcus Leshock, ’05, anchor and reporter at WGN-TV and radio
Jeremy Norman, ’04, co-founder and director of product development of ValetMag.com
Bob Scarpelli, ’74, former chairman and chief creative officer at DDB Worldwide
Two Tri-Swine members, former DeKalb Mayor Jerry Smith and Mike Korcek, holding the TSO paddle at the 2018 Star banquet.
The five new inductees bring the hall of fame membership to 87 since the charter class in 2000.
In addition, three younger Northern Star alums will be honored: Tim Tilton, ’95, as the recipient of the Making A+Difference Award, plus Marissa (McArthur) LeMaster, ’11, and Derek Noel, ’16, with the Rising Star Awards.
Keynote speaker for the evening will be Kelly Bauer, ’15, a former Northern Star editor-in-chief and currently the breaking news editor at Block Club Chicago.
Another highlight of the weekend is the Star 1970s-era reunion committee’s announcement of the Phil Kadner/Northern Star Endowment for Student Journalists. Kadner, ’74, a retired Daily Southtown and Chicago Sun-Times columnist, was the 2013 Illinois Journalist of the Year. Seventies-types should contact reunion chair Shelley Epstein, ’74, at (309) 370-9188 or at shelleyrepstein@gmail.com.
The social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday, followed by dinner at 6:30, and the recognition program at 7:15. For further information or to RSVP, please contact Northern Star business adviser Maria Krull at (815) 753-0707 or at mkrull@niu.edu. The deadline is August 30.
Date posted: August 23, 2022 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on Past, present, future Northern Star alumni feted during Sept. 16-17
NIU Associate Professor Joseph Flynn, Ph.D., has used his voice and his passion to advance diversity, equity and inclusion at NIU.
Now he’ll play an even more pivotal role in that effort.
On Aug. 16, Flynn became the executive director for Equity and Inclusion at NIU. In the newly created position, he’ll work directly with Vernese Edghill-Walden, Ph.D., vice president for Diversity Equity and Inclusion and chief diversity officer in the Division of Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ADEI), and Beth Ingram, executive vice president and provost.
Flynn will oversee initiatives designed to support faculty in their efforts to advance their knowledge of equity and inclusion.
“Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is oftentimes misrepresented as a final destination. It’s not. It’s an ever-unfolding process of thought and reflection and action. I think in a position like mine, I can help folks through that process,” said Flynn, who will continue to teach in the College of Education’s Department of Curriculum and instruction. “I’ll be supporting my colleagues and others in figuring out the best ways to infuse DEI into all that we do.”
Flynn’s appointment to the newly created position reflects NIU’s ongoing commitment to ensure all Huskies feel welcome, included and valued. These efforts are woven throughout countless programs, events, classes and initiatives throughout campus—both inside and outside the classroom.
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Flynn as part of the Provost Office leadership team. His expertise and experience fills an important role in supporting our faculty to continue to develop their skills in equity, diversity and inclusion,” said Provost Beth Ingram, Ph.D. “I’m delighted that Dr. Flynn accepted our offer to continue his already impressive work at this level.”
Since coming to NIU in 2007, Flynn has established himself as an invaluable asset to the university, especially when it comes to issues of social justice and equality in education.
His appointment as executive director for Equity and Inclusion was a natural progression.
“As we work to advance the DEI goals, we have heard from faculty they desire for guidance, resources and tools on social justice, especially in the classroom,” Dr. Edghill-Walden said. “Dr Flynn has always been respected as a great resource to his colleagues. Now he will be able to focus his time and attention on supporting faculty even more in collaboration with Academic Affairs, the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learningand Faculty Senate Social Justice Committee. We are delighted to have him on our team!”
Among various initiatives, Flynn will help further develop and implement NIU’s Faculty Academy on Cultural Competence and Equity (FACCE), a series of hands-on and in-person workshops that will provide tools and guidance to transform faculty teaching and classrooms by using an equity and inclusion lens.
Faculty will have the option of attending events during the 2022-2023 academic year or a comprehensive one-week experience in the summer, starting in 2023.
The effort acknowledges the immense impact faculty have on the lives and experiences of students, Flynn said.
“I think that we faculty have to always be motivated and attentive to the various needs of all of our students, and sometimes that takes sitting down and having those conversations and talking through and understanding how and why equity is important in all disciplines,” he said.
Flynn has served as the associate director of academic affairs for the Center for Black Studies, a position he says he’ll miss as he takes on his new role.
“That doesn’t mean I won’t be involved with the center anymore,” he said. “I’ll definitely keep a presence, and I’ll always be an advocate. I’m only moving across the street.”
He won the 2018 American Association for Teaching and Curriculum’s O. L. Davis, Jr. Outstanding Book Award for “White Fatigue: Rethinking Resistance for Social Justice.” That same year, the College of Education honored him with an Outstanding Contribution to Social Justice recognition for his positive promotion of diversity across campus.
Date posted: August 18, 2022 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on Joseph Flynn infuses passion for equity and inclusion into new ADEI role
Blackboard, now part of Anthology, recently announced that five individuals and teams from NIU received a combined seven Exemplary Course Program (ECP) Awards in 2022.
ECP Awards recognize faculty and course designers from schools, colleges and universities around the world who develop engaging and innovative online and in-person courses that represent the very best in technology and learning. Award winners demonstrate excellence in course design, interaction and collaboration, assessment and learner support.
“NIU faculty and staff should be very proud of their accomplishments,” said Stephanie Richter, director of teaching excellence and support for NIU’s Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL).
“There were roughly 50 ECP Awards presented to faculty and course designers worldwide, and NIU took home seven of them. I think that says a lot about our strong commitment to the success of our Huskie students.”
NIU Award winners were as follows:
CITL – Blackboard Ultra Transition Academy and Online Course Design Academy.
Donna E. Werderich, associate professor of literacy education – LTLA 341: Teaching Language Arts in the Elementary School.
Hal Hinderliter, instructor in the Department of Educational Technology, Research and Assessment – ETT 329: Learning in the Digital Age.
Jason Rhode, associate vice provost for teaching, learning, and digital education – ETR 520: Introduction to Educational Research and ETT 570: Instructional Technology Leadership.
Jason Underwood, CITL’s director of instructional design and development – ETT 530: Instructional Technology Tools.
Date posted: August 18, 2022 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on Faculty cited for developing exemplary courses
Melani Duffrin, professor in the School of Interdisciplinary Health Professions, was named the Nutrition Education for the Public Dietetic Practice Group (NEP DPG) Award of Excellence winner. The Award of Excellence recognizes high-quality nutrition education projects that enhance and advance the objectives of the NEP DPG.
Duffrin’s research focuses on measuring the affective domains of learning guided by learning theory that are aligned with how the brain works. She is also the creator and principal investigator of the FoodMASTER Initiative, a learning environment design and research project that has been funded by the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) Science Education Partnership Award for 18 years.
“Being a member of the NEP DPG opens doors for networks and FoodMASTER initiative expansion opportunities,” Duffrin said. “I encourage all students and professionals to seek out professional organizations to stay connected and engaged with a community of learners. It is important to have a sense of belonging somewhere in a professional organization to stay up-to-date in professional practice.”
Duffrin recent endeavors include the creation of learning environment design research projects for NIU including STARS Faculty Academy, ROADS – Reaching Out to Advance Diversity in Sciences, and Collaborative Connections, a Near-Peer Mentor program for Health Science and Nutrition majors. Each of these learning environments aims to utilize methods that enhance participants’ sense of belonging, identity, satisfaction, recognition, confidence, and professional practice.
“Learning environment design and research requires a community to make it all happen. University faculty, administrators, staff, advisory committees, partnerships, program officers, funding sources, teachers, community educators, students at all levels, volunteers, and family and friend support systems, all focused on the end goal of human development, make the research fun,” Duffrin said. “Thank you to everyone that has contributed over the years and the NEP DPG for the recognizing the work. It has been a blessed journey.”
Duffrin will be recognized on Oct. 9 at the 2022 Food and Nutrition Conference Expo sponsored by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
Date posted: August 17, 2022 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on Melani Duffrin earns national honors
Pet food is big business, and no one understands it more than Lisbet Firman, ’21.
Fresh out of NIU, she serves as a writing and marketing associate for The Simple Food Project and Herbsmith—two growing pet food companies that tout the use of “small batches of whole foods and USA-sourced ingredients.”
After earning her degree in English, Firman moved to the suburbs of Milwaukee with her fiancé Jason and their cattle dog, Blue. She started working as a part-time freelance writer for The Simple Food Project and its sister company Herbsmith in August 2021 and quickly moved into a full-time position.
“The Simple Food Project crafts freeze-dried raw recipes and treats for both dogs and cats. Each recipe contains only 16 real, whole ingredients, like chicken, beef, trout, apples, blueberries, and green beans in species-appropriate proportions. There are no synthetics, artificial preservatives, or by-products,” she said. “Herbsmith focuses on ‘curating’ every pet’s bowl to fit their specific health needs, whether it be from targeted nutraceuticals, herbs or antioxidants. Our products range from supplements for joint support, digestive health, dental care and more—all created with only natural ingredients!”
While the pets themselves cannot see the commercials or read the ads, their owners are receiving the message about the companies’ quality ingredients. And once the pets taste the difference of fresh foods, they buy in quickly.
“I honestly cannot even describe the difference I have seen in my own dog since beginning to feed her Simple Food Project recipes and Herbsmith supplements,” Firman said. “She is so much healthier and happier, which really makes me feel fulfilled that I am working for a company that changes the lives of pets for the better.”
According to a recent report by Grand View Research, the global pet food market size was valued at $94.76 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach nearly $100 billion later this year. Firman’s messaging helps grow her companies through innovative means.
“I help with projects ranging from email marketing campaigns and social media to market research and writing product descriptions for our website and Amazon,” Firman said. “It’s a very fast-paced, creative and collaborative working environment, which I have always thrived in. I love that I get to do extensive research, whether it be about other products on the market or different health conditions in pets, and then put that research into writing and branding.”
Firman’s most recent project is leading the companies’ new, revamped Brand Ambassador Program. For this program, she focuses on networking with pet influencers on social media platforms to create partnerships between The Simple Food Project and Herbsmith and their adorable dogs and cats.
“I recently reached out to Mission II on Instagram because I loved ‘Mission Mondays’ so much when I was a student at NIU,” Firman said. “I was so happy to be able to send him some of our Simple Food Project freeze-dried treats to taste test!” Mission’s trainer Lisa Boland confirms that Mission gobbles up his Simple Food Project meals, preferring them it to everything else!
Besides the satisfaction of knowing she is helping pets and their families, Firman notes there are other benefits to her role. For instance, there are five dogs, or “co-woofers,” running around her office each day.
“Our company is made up of a very tight-knit group of employees who share a passion for marketing, writing and, of course, our pets!” Firman said. “It truly feels like a family.” Growing up in the small town of Ingleside, Illinois, Firman was always attracted to power of the written word.
“As a child, I had a huge imagination and used to love creating and writing my own stories,” she said. “My mom has worked at our local library since I was five years old, so I was always reading and around books. As I grew older, I began writing a lot, especially poetry. In high school, English became one of my favorite classes because I loved the analytical yet creative freedom that it allowed me to have.”
Firman’s parents had met while studying at NIU in 1980, and they had brought her to campus a few times when she was a child.
“I fell in love with the beautiful campus. It’s the only college that I applied for because I was so certain that I wanted to be a Huskie!” she said.
When she started at NIU in 2017, Firman was unsure about her future career. Always enjoying school, she found it difficult to narrow her interests down to any specific major.
“I took many fascinating courses at NIU, trying to find what spoke to me, but after my first two semesters of introductory English classes, I knew that it was something that I wanted to pursue,” she said. “Within those two semesters, I was encouraged by my professors to put my critical thinking and imagination to the test, which really encompassed what I had been passionate about while growing up.”
Once Firman decided to pursue English with an emphasis in writing, she really found her true self at NIU.
“I was always a bit reserved growing up, but my professors and fellow students really pushed me out of my comfort zone to gain my voice and build my confidence, whether it be through group projects, public speaking, or reading my writing to other members of the Creative Writing Club,” she said. “Every professor at NIU was approachable and always willing to help me edit and improve my writing.”
The COVID-19 pandemic changed her in-person college experience in the spring of her junior year. While it was difficult, Firman notes that online classes prepared her for her future career.
“It helped me by instilling the importance of time management, hard work ethic, and responsibility,” she said. “All the professors at NIU were amazing during the times of uncertainty and always did their best to lend a hand during stressful times.”
After graduation, Firman had faith that she would find her place as a writer, but she was unsure what her first job would be.
“When I saw the job posting for Herbsmith and The Simple Food Project, I knew that it was the perfect match for me. The pets that I had growing up and that I have now mean the absolute world to me, so I knew that I would truly be passionate about what I would be doing every day,” she said. “It’s honestly such an amazing company that exceeds the standards of optimal health and wellness for pets. I love hearing praise from customers because I know how much care goes into crafting each product. Knowing that I contribute to something that is life-changing for animals makes me extremely proud.”
Date posted: August 17, 2022 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on Lisbet Firman, ’21, partners with pet ambassadors for Simple Food Project and Herbsmith
Beth Reiter goes above and beyond in helping the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry run smoothly. There are a wide variety of things that she takes care of that is needed to keep the Department running smoothly and she makes sure that they get done and does it professionally and positively. Thank you for all that you do for the Department and NIU!
Date posted: August 15, 2022 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on Beth Reiter – Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
