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Kevin Matesi

Kevin Matesi

NIU graduate student Kevin Matesi will be honored in New York this month as the winner of the 2014 IBM Master the Mainframe contest.

Matesi, of Wauconda, edged out nearly 4,900 competitors in the annual contest that challenges students to demonstrate their mainframe computer programming abilities.

“I couldn’t believe it at first,” said Matesi, who will graduate in May with a master’s degree in computer science. “It’s always satisfying to be recognized for your hard work, but it takes it to another level when it’s an (information technology) giant like IBM.”

To earn the top spot, Matesi advanced through each of the contest’s three rounds. Of the thousands of students who initially entered the contest, only 66 participants made it to the final round.

Geoffrey Decker, instructor in the Department of Computer Science, said in a world where a majority of professionals consider mainframe computer programming inelegant and out of style, Matesi embraces it.

“In the course of his graduate work in computer science, Kevin completed three exclusively mainframe programming classes,” Decker said. “He has the intelligence to assimilate what he learned in these classes, and he put that knowledge to work to take first place in a very important, extremely competitive and internationally-recognized mainframe programming contest. Kevin is the proverbial hot commodity in a world of shrinking – and retiring – mainframe professionals.”

IBM Destination z logoMatesi joins a number of NIU alumni who have demonstrated their mainframe acumen.

Since the first IBM Master the Mainframe contest in 2005, NIU has had two other first-place winners, and many students who finished within the top five.

“The success of NIU’s mainframe program is evident in our graduates who now work all around the world and have moved or are moving into management positions as older mainframe programmers and managers are retiring in great numbers,” Decker said. “The opportunities are certainly out there for those interested in mainframes.”

Matesi is currently interviewing for his post-college career, and he credits NIU for preparing him to achieve his goals.

“NIU has been pivotal in my pursuit,” Matesi said. “They have a great program here, and I owe a great deal to my professors. It’s always great to learn from someone who not only has extensive knowledge of the subject matter they’re teaching, but also has the career experience and passion to teach it. I always felt engaged in the material, and they created a comfortable environment where I could approach them with any questions I had.”

Matesi will travel Monday, March 23, to Poughkeepsie, N.Y., to tour the IBM facilities and be honored at an award ceremony.

by Jane Donahue

Date posted: March 17, 2015 | Author: | Comments Off on NIU student tops 4,900 competitors to win IBM Master the Mainframe title

Categories: Awards Centerpiece Did You Know? Faculty & Staff Graduate School Liberal Arts and Sciences Students

Members of the award-winning mock trial team include (left to right) Alonte Holliday, Joel Heilmann, Kristen Stoicescu, Mike McCarthy, Tiana Sarto and Krista Krepp.

Members of the award-winning mock trial team include (left to right) Alonte Holliday, Joel Heilmann, Kristen Stoicescu, Mike McCarthy, Tiana Sarto and Krista Krepp.

The verdict is in on NIU’s mock trial team, and they’re guilty of winning.

At the American Mock Trial Association regional competition held last month in Joliet, an NIU mock trial team went undefeated and advanced to the national tournament for the first time in the university’s history.

“We’ve made remarkable strides since the beginning of the season,” said Kristen Stoicescu, a junior from Roscoe and mock trial club president. “Our case theories are simpler and better organized, our arguments are cleaner and better articulated, and our witnesses are more entertaining and polished.”

Mock trial is an intercollegiate co-curricular activity where students play the roles of attorneys and witnesses in a hypothetical case. Mitch Pickerill, associate professor in the Department of Political Science, started the program at NIU in 2012.

“Mock trial is everything a liberal arts education is supposed to be wrapped up into one activity,” Pickerill said. “A liberal arts education ought to teach students how to critically think and synthesize information, and how to improve their public speaking and teamwork skills. There is no doubt that mock trial provides a structure and a format for students to learn all of those things, and it’s also excellent preparation for our pre-law students who plan to attend law school.”

Professor Matt Streb, political science chair, shared the sentiment.

mock-trial-1“Mock trial gives students the skills they need to be successful after graduation,” Streb said. “We are so proud of these students who have worked super-hard and have represented the university in a wonderful fashion.”

Over the past three years, NIU students have continued to improve and establish themselves as a formidable opponent in the mock trial arena.

“Professor Pickerill has done an incredible job getting them to this point,” Streb said. “He spends a significant amount of time working with these students, and in our mind, this is just the beginning. We have a lot more we want to accomplish with this program.”

That opportunity will come Friday, March 20, when the NIU team heads to the opening round of the national championship series at the Kane County Courthouse in Geneva. Other teams coming include Northwestern, Notre Dame and the University of Michigan.

“We’re going to see fiercer competition than ever before,” Stoicescu said. “We’re looking forward to competing against some of the strongest mock trial programs in the country. We’re a relatively young program, and we want to show that NIU has what it takes to compete at the national level against older and more established programs.”

American Mock Trial Association logoTeam members include Stoicescu, Joel Heilmann, Alonte Holliday, Krista Krepp, Mike McCarthy and Tiana Sarto. And while it is a team sport, each individual has made a significant contribution.

“Every person on my team has won at least one individual award this season, and I attribute that to the level of dedication and commitment everyone demonstrated this season,” Stoicescu said.

Pickerill agreed.

“From a teaching perspective, it is great to work with a group of students who are committed to a constructive positive thing like mock trial,” he said. “This team has really exceeded my expectations.”

by Jane Donahue

Date posted: March 16, 2015 | Author: | Comments Off on NIU mock trial team heading to nationals

Categories: Awards Faculty & Staff Law Students

Diversity and Inclusion Summit 2014

Diversity and Inclusion Summit 2014

The Northern Illinois University Presidential Commission on the Status of Minorities will host Diversity: Strengthening the Pillars of Community.

The day-long regional conference, scheduled Saturday, March 21, at NIU-Naperville, will be an opportunity to engage in thought provoking seminars while network with fellow attendees.

Guest speakers include Jerry Blakemore, vice president and general counsel for NIU; Jonathan Lackland, director of government relations at Illinois State University; and actor, poet and playwright Ariel Luckey with a multi-media presentation on “historical amnesia” and immigration.

In addition, the 10th annual Deacon Davis Diversity Awards will be presented.

This award recognizes significant contributions made to the improvement of the status of minorities on NIU’s campus. The PCSM will give four awards this year, one of which is specifically designated for a student. Nominations are open through Tuesday, March 17.

The Presidential Commission on the Status of Minorities was established by the university president to assure that NIU consistently and comprehensively reflects, sponsors, mandates and totally supports action designed to enhance the status of minorities.

Diversity and Inclusion Summit 2014

Diversity and Inclusion Summit 2014

Diversity: Strengthening the Pillars of Community takes place from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at NIU Naperville, 1120 East Diehl Road.

The cost of attendance is $20 for NIU students, $25 for non-NIU students, $50 for NIU faculty and staff and $60 for community members.

Transportation is available for NIU students to the Naperville campus, and fee waivers are offered.

Support for the conference is provided by Intercollegiate Athletics; Student Affairs; Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development; the Office of the Vice Provost; and the colleges of Education, Business and Engineering and Engineering Technology

Register now or contact Felicia Bohanon, director of Office of Precollegiate Programs at (815) 753-1868 or fbohanon@niu.edu with questions.

Date posted: March 12, 2015 | Author: | Comments Off on Strengthening the pillars of community

Categories: Business Communiversity Digital Signage Education Engineering and Engineering Technology Events Faculty & Staff Latest News NIU Naperville Students

your future, our focusNorthern Illinois University earned top honors in the 30th annual Educational Advertising Awards, sponsored by the Higher Education Marketing Report.

The university won a gold award for the 2014-2015 NIU undergraduate admissions viewbook titled “your future, our focus.”

“The NIU undergraduate admissions viewbook was a collaborative effort between the Media and Creative Services and the Office of Admissions,” said Jeff Strohm, graphic design supervisor. “Graphic designer Barb Kolb worked with writers and photographers to come up with a unique design that has become an integral part of NIU’s recruitment marketing.”

Thousands of entries were received from more than 1,000 colleges, universities, and secondary schools from all 50 states and several foreign countries. The panel of judges included higher education marketers, advertising creative directors, marketing and advertising professionals, and the editorial board of Higher Education Marketing Report.

“It is an honor to be recognized for such outstanding work,” Strohm said.

Date posted: March 6, 2015 | Author: | Comments Off on NIU takes top honors in educational advertising award competition

Categories: Awards Campus Highlights

Anthony Roberts applies his experimental skills in NIU’s Biomedical Engineering & Sensor Laboratory.

Anthony Roberts applies his experimental skills
in NIU’s Biomedical Engineering & Sensor Laboratory.

Anthony Roberts dreams of one day becoming an innovator and a notable engineer in the medical device industry.

By all accounts, the senior who hails from Nigeria is on his way to making that dream a reality.

“I believe that success as an engineer in this day and age requires technical competence and a combination of management, leadership, communication and business skills,” said Roberts, who is majoring in biomedical engineering. “NIU is equipping me with skills in varying ways.”

Roberts’ journey to NIU wasn’t a straight path.

After graduating from secondary school in Nigeria at age 16, he moved to the United States. Roberts earned an associate degree from a Chicago community college in 2013, and began searching for a university to call home.

“Deciding what university to transfer to was an overwhelming experience because paying for education at a four-year university was beyond the financial limits for my single mother and me,” Roberts said. “Fortunately, I received the Transfer Center Residential Scholarship and Dean’s Diversity Scholarship from NIU. These scholarships opened the gate of opportunity for me and welcomed me into the Huskie community.”

As a transfer student, Roberts didn’t waste any time immersing himself in the community.

“I have enjoyed observing Tony’s quick acclimation to NIU,” said NIU President Doug Baker.

“He has maintained a strong balance among his various areas of study, and other extracurricular activities, truly exemplifying the academic liberal arts goals at this stage of the educational process. I believe his academic successes have produced the necessary foundation to ensure ongoing achievement as his specialized education has gradually replaced his general education.”

Julia Spears, associate vice provost for engaged learning, shared the sentiment.

“Even with all of these extra-curricular activities, Tony maintains a strong grade point average,” Spears said. “Clearly, Tony is a leader. He continually seeks opportunities at NIU that will help him grow, making him an exceptional example of the effect of engaging in the college experience. Tony has much to offer the world of academia and has a very promising future.”

Whether it’s serving as president of Stevenson Hall Council, a Northern Lights Ambassador for the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology or working on his research, Roberts is steadfast in his work and does what he says he will do.

“I have had the honor of watching him grow personally and academically,” Spears said. “He has demonstrated a strong work ethic to all his commitments, he is very involved in the campus community and balances both his academic and extra-curricular pursuits with ease.”

by Jane Donahue

Date posted: March 6, 2015 | Author: | Comments Off on Forward, Together Forward: Anthony Roberts dreams, innovates

Categories: Awards Engineering and Engineering Technology Latest News Students

Tara Lenardi studies at her dining room table while her children read Dr. Suess, work on the computer and play video games.

Tara Lenardi studies at her dining room table while her children
read Dr. Suess, work on the computer and play video games.

Being a college student is just one of Tara Lenardi’s many roles.

The senior from Lisle, Ill., is a busy mom, campus employee and community volunteer, all while maintaining a 3.92 cumulative grade point average.

“Tara is an inspiration to a lot of women around her,” said Lee Ann Johnson, who worked with Lenardi at the North Suburban YMCA. “People look up to her and see her accomplishing goals and overcoming obstacles. Her children are inspired by her. I am inspired by her driving force. It is a great feeling when you see a woman that has the can-do attitude and does not let excuses get in her way.”

Pursuing a college degree hasn’t been an easy journey for Lenardi, but she remained steadfast, crediting her NIU “family” for her success.

“Being a part of the Huskie community has been essential to my desire to return to school and finish my degree,” Lenardi said. “I am a non-traditional student with four kids who went back to school to get her associate degree during two pregnancies. I have gone through a divorce, recently remarried and decided it was time.”

With the timing right for Lenardi to return to college, she settled into a course of study with the intention of earning a degree in nursing. However, after taking public health classes at NIU and working for the North Suburban YMCA, she found her true passion and changed her major.

“The NIU community is invested in their students – not for statistics – but because they truly want their graduates to go out there, succeed and change the world,” Lenardi said. “For me, that meant giving me the tools to realize that my dream job isn’t working with individuals as a nurse, but working with and for a community.”

She plans to graduate in 2016 with a degree in public health and a minor in community leadership and civic engagement.

“My dream job is to be a community program liaison or to work as a strategic planner for nonprofit organizations,” she said. “I want to work with hospitals, local government, nonprofits, schools and local businesses to address community health care programs. My experience at NIU has already helped me. I am learning the tools I will need. I am listening to community members as they speak to classes. I am continuously growing as a person.”

NIU instructor Mary Shumaker has taught Lenardi in several classes, and describes her as “a natural leader” who inspires fellow students to do their best.

“She has persevered through incredible personal difficulties to provide for herself and her family,” Shumaker said. “Tara has distinguished herself by producing consistently superior work throughout her student career at NIU. She is one of the best students I have met at the university.”

by Jane Donahue

Date posted: March 5, 2015 | Author: | Comments Off on Forward, Together Forward: Tara Lenardi overcomes, accomplishes

Categories: Awards Health and Human Sciences Latest News Students

Huskies Student Food Pantry logoKathy Zuidema knows that NIU students thirst for knowledge. She doesn’t want them to worry about being hungry as well.

“Everyone’s heard the old adage about starving college students; well, it’s true, and even to a greater extent than we think,” said Zuidema, NIU employer relations specialist and founder of the Huskies Student Food Pantry.

“Statistics show that 12.5 percent of the total population in Illinois is struggling with hunger. This means there could potentially be 2,100 NIU students experiencing food insecurity today.”

The Huskies Student Food Pantry, hosted by Grace Place Campus Ministry, officially opened in March, 2014, and has served more than 700 NIU students.

“Grace Place wants to support students as they pursue their academic goals,” said the Rev. Amy Fallon, campus pastor of Grace Place Campus Ministry. “If they are struggling to make ends meet financially and are not able to feed themselves, it is so much more challenging for them to meet those academic goals. If there is anything we can do to alleviate that stress, we want to be part of that.”

Zuidema shared the sentiment.

“Our mission is to help sustain students who find themselves in food emergencies,” Zuidema said. “Whether a student needs help on one occasion because of an unforeseen expense or needs help on a much more frequent basis, the pantry is able to help.”

Kathy Zuidema

Kathy Zuidema

Many NIU students don’t have a meal plan and don’t qualify for food assistance programs, which is where the food pantry steps in. Twice a month, the pantry is open to provide non-perishable, supplemental food and other necessities for those NIU students in need of support.

President Baker speaks frequently about the importance of communiversity and of retention,” Zuidema said. “Students give so much to sustain this community. They work in our businesses; shop in our stores; provide us with theater/arts; athletic entertainment; provide research. They volunteer and fund-raise. I just felt something needed to be done for the Huskies who needed help while here at NIU.”

NIU Career Services supports the initiative by facilitating some of the administrative duties such as managing the hours of operation, stocking, accounting, housekeeping and website management.

Zuidema, who serves as pantry coordinator and champion, said the effort has generated momentum from volunteers as well as donations and support from numerous campus and community organizations.

“The community has really stepped up and also realize that help is needed right here on campus,” she said. “Students who have used the pantry were given a survey and they overwhelmingly said that the food provided to them has helped them remain focused on their studies. That says it all.”

Shelves of food at the Huskies Student Food PantryHowever, the pantry is in need of ongoing assistance to continue.

Members of the NIU community who wish to partner with the pantry should complete a collaboration request form available at the Career Services website located under the Faculty & Staff tab.

The Huskies Student Food Pantry is located at 401 Normal Road in the Grace Place Campus Ministry building. The next dates of service are from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 5, and Thursday, March 19.

For more information, call (815) 753-8344 or email huskiesstudentfoodpantry@gmail.com.

by Jane Donahue

Date posted: March 4, 2015 | Author: | Comments Off on Huskies Student Food Pantry helps to fill hungry stomachs

Categories: Centerpiece On Campus Students

Lizy Garcia brainstorms with classmates at the Center for NGO Leadership and Development.

Lizy Garcia brainstorms with classmates
at the Center for NGO Leadership and Development.

Lizy Garcia isn’t waiting for a degree to start working: the sophomore majoring in community leadership and civic engagement has been at it for years.

Garcia was a member of the Huskie Service Scholars, which required 300 service hours her freshman year, and DREAM Action NIU, a student organization that advocates for the rights of undocumented students and the immigrant community. Along with volunteering at Feed’em Soup project and Conexion Comunidad, she worked as a Safe Passage intern, Northern Ambassador and 4-H liaison while still managing to work part-time at the University Bookstore.

She is a current member of the Adela de La Torre Honor Society and the University Honors Program.

“Lizy effectively copes with competing priorities,” said Sandy Lopez, of NIU’s Center for Latino and Latin American Studies. “She is a dependable student, worker and volunteer that has an impeccable work ethic both on and off campus. Beyond that, her positive attitude has managed to shine through while she has juggled her work, volunteering, studies and family time.”

A first generation college student of immigrant parents, Lopez said Garcia “epitomizes the words strong work ethic, passion, and a perseverant spirit.”

“She fully immersed herself into the NIU community realizing that she had to be engaged in a variety of organizations in order to excel both academically and socially,” Lopez said.

Garcia, who has lived in DeKalb since age 5, is as passionate about her hometown as she is about NIU.

“Being part of the community means collaborating, being accepting and persistent,” Garcia said. “I have had all of my schooling done in this great town. If it wouldn’t have been for my mentors – which were NIU students – I don’t know where I would be right now. This is where I learned what collaborating was about.”

As a teenager, she was afforded a variety of opportunities, and that’s not something she takes for granted.

“Growing up I was always given the right type of mentoring and opportunities that have lead me to where I am today,” she said.

“However, not many other Latino students get the same. Many times these students face obstacles that are hard to overcome and even if they can get through them if they do not have the right type of support they fail and go down the wrong path. This is where my education and my experience at NIU will help me fulfill my personal goals and help the DeKalb community.”

by Jane Donahue

Date posted: March 4, 2015 | Author: | Comments Off on Forward, Together Forward: Lizy Garcia embraces collaboration

Categories: Awards Latest News Liberal Arts and Sciences Students

Samantha Garbacz volunteers in a small village in Belize, providing free blood pressure checks and glucose checks as well as giving information to people without access to health care on how they can live healthy lives.

Samantha Garbacz volunteers in a small village in Belize, providing free blood pressure checks and glucose checks as well as giving information to people without access to health care on how they can live healthy lives.

Samantha Garbacz is a leader.

Whether in class, in campus organizations, working a part-time job or volunteering, she has proven to be a leader at NIU.

“Samantha won the NIU Leadership Award during her freshmen, sophomore, and junior year,” said Missy Lugo, NIU student success specialist. “This award recognizes student’s initiative, outstanding involvement, how they have contributed to the quality of life on NIU’s campus, and significantly enhanced NIU’s campus environment through their demonstrated leadership abilities and personal growth.”

The senior from Westchester, Ill., maintains a 3.53 cumulative grade point average in nursing.

In 2012, Garbacz joined Alpha Psi Lambda, a co-ed Latino social and service fraternity, and soon after began to hold leadership positions there.

“I have seen her balance multiple positions including mentorship,” Lugo said. “Samantha also was actively involved in raising grade point average requirements for membership to not only increase the organization’s level of excellence, but also increase the excellence of individual Latinos’ education.”

In addition, while on campus she has been involved in the American Red Cross blood drive, the Feed My Starving Children organization, Feed‘em Soup, Rake Across DeKalb, the Salvation Army, the CROP Hunger Walk and the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.

Volunteerism is something she was exposed to early on; after her father died while she was in high school, it became even more important.

“All of my life my parents have taught me the importance of family and community,” Garbacz said. “After my dad passed away, I realized the role he played in the community and how I wanted to do the same thing.”

Lynette Swedberg, NIU clinical nursing instructor, said Garbacz’s compassion and strength will allow her to excel in her chosen profession.

“Samantha will be an excellent nurse,” Swedberg said.“She is compassionate, professional and able to access both her compassion and critical-thinking skills. She is able to reflect on her experiences and use them for personal and professional growth.”

Lugo shared the sentiment, adding that Garbacz “embodies the mission and vision of NIU.”

“Samantha continues to look for other leadership opportunities, not only within her organization,” Lugo said. “She supports the DeKalb community and at the state level, she advocated for nurses. She is a great example of a Huskie and a future proud alum of NIU.”

by Jane Donahue

Date posted: March 3, 2015 | Author: | Comments Off on Forward, Together Forward: Samantha Garbacz demonstrates leadership

Categories: Awards Health and Human Sciences Latest News Students

Courtney Crutchfield (right) works in the nursing lab.

Courtney Crutchfield (right) works in the nursing lab.

Volunteering isn’t something Courtney Crutchfield does, it’s part of who she is.

As a member of Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, Crutchfield is dedicated to helping others on campus and in the community.

“Giving back to the community has also altered my mindset on volunteering,” said the sophomore from Manchester, Mo. “I think of volunteering now as more of a necessity to having a functional, unified community whereas before I viewed it as additional labor.”

As an NIU student, she has taken part in volunteer efforts at We Care Pregnancy Clinic, the Feed My Starving Children organization, Hope Haven, Feed’em Soup project and more.

And as a member of NIU’s University Honors Program and National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Crutchfield knows the importance of balancing academics with community involvement.

“Courtney has been very academic-focused since the moment she came to campus,” said Missy Lugo, NIU student success specialist. “Wanting to graduate from NIU with a nursing degree is very challenging and demanding. Courtney realized that she needed to (find a) balance because it was out of classroom experiences that helped her to grow and develop as well.”

Crutchfield is majoring in nursing, and is determined to make a difference in the lives of others while a student and throughout her career.

“Attending Northern Illinois University is one of the best decisions that I have made, and without it I would have never received the incredible opportunities that I have to make a difference,” she said. “Because of my decision to come here I have learned to be independent, to take initiative, and to stand up for what I believe in. This school emphasizes my character, and allows me to also help others in the discovery of their own characters as well.”

by Jane Donahue

Date posted: March 2, 2015 | Author: | Comments Off on Forward, Together Forward: Courtney Crutchfield gives back

Categories: Awards Health and Human Sciences Latest News Students

Save Chicago Day 2014NIU students looking for a memorable spring break will find it close to home.

The Remember Project, a nonprofit organization that connects college students with Chicago teens in a unique mentoring program, is seeking volunteers who want to make a difference in the community and in the lives of Chicago youth.

“During spring break, we have the true opportunity to volunteer,” said NIU senior Randiss Hopkins, who founded The Remember Project in 2013. “During the school year our time is limited because our focus is on academics. I really encourage students to give back at spring break.”

From March 9 through March 12, The Remember Project is partnering with After School Matters, a nonprofit organization that offers Chicago high school students innovative out-of-school activities.

For Hopkins, who grew up on Chicago’s West side, it’s a “true blessing” to partner with the organization.

“I am a product of After School Matters, and it has a special place in my heart because of that,” said Hopkins, who is majoring in jazz performance. “To say it’s exciting to partner with them is an understatement.”

During spring break week, volunteers will have the opportunity to choose from four After School Matters programs that take place in Chicago. Each day and program focuses on the performing arts, including music, dance, theater and poetry sessions.

Logo of After School MattersUp to 20 student volunteers are needed at each session, and experience in the arts is not necessary.

“We encourage all students to sign up even if they are not involved in the arts,” Hopkins said. “We see it as an opportunity for them to learn about the arts while making a difference in the community.”

To sign up, current NIU students must create accounts that will allow them to register for volunteer opportunities and track their service hours. When accounts are verified, which can take up to 24 hours, students then can log in to sign up for volunteer opportunities.

For more information, contact Hopkins at (773) 491-5896 or hopkins.randiss@gmail.com.

by Jane Donahue

Date posted: February 27, 2015 | Author: | Comments Off on Remember Project offers spring break service opportunity

Categories: Arts Communiversity Events Latest News Students

NIU student collaborate in the Founders Memorial LibraryIt’s an opportunity to celebrate the present, reflect on the past and improve the future – together.

Participants in the eighth annual NIU Assessment Expo, scheduled from 8:30 a.m. to noon Friday, March 20, will learn more about 10 university programs and their outstanding assessment practices.

Attendees will have the opportunity to view posters, talk to presenters and engage in roundtable discussions which focus on this year’s theme, “Collaboration Matters in Assessment.”

Collaboration events like this promote conversations about best practices and continuous improvement plans, while providing NIU students with vital teaching and learning experiences.

The event takes place in the Sky Room of the Holmes Student Center. For more information, contact the Office of Assessment Services at assess@niu.edu or Steve Wallace, associate director of the Office of Assessment Services at swallace@niu.edu.

The University Assessment Panel selected 10 programs to showcase some of their outstanding assessment practices.

Here’s more about them.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Department of Sociology
Master of Arts in Sociology

The department used the recent 2012-2013 program review process to inform changes to the curriculum and assessment methods. The department constructed a new required graduate course – SOCI 674 – to address weaknesses in students’ content mastery of methodologies. Also the comprehensive exam format was changed to include an oral component with a written follow-up. Additionally, a thesis assessment rubric was revised and implemented. The changes address student needs. Students and faculty share the rubric and conversations about establishing a common set of expectations for departmental standards. It is expected that these changes will contribute to an improvement in the quality of student products.

College of Business
Business Passport

Completion of the Business Passport Program is a requirement for all undergraduate business students. The purpose of the Business Passport Program is to broaden students’ business perspective and enhance their marketability in the job market. Business Passport will allow students to gain meaningful hands-on experience, network and connect with professionals, create their own personal brand, enhance personal and professional development, build a stronger resume, and develop well-rounded interests and expertise. Once a student’s completion of the passport is verified a co-curricular transcript reflecting the experiences and accomplishments is created.

College of Health and Human Sciences
School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders
Doctor of Audiology

NIU Speech-Language-Hearing ClinicStudents complete a capstone research project in two parts involving a research paper and a public poster presentation. A well-developed rubric is used to score the capstone projects and provide students and faculty an assessment of how students are performing on specific skills that contribute to effective written and oral communication. The results from the capstone assessments are used by faculty to evaluate instruction and make plans for improvements. Faculty took time to discuss the assessment results with students and conversations indicate the need to bolster students’ study of research methods. Future plans include ensuring students enroll in AUD 700, a research methods course, during the first year of the program.

Writing Across the Curriculum + Course Activity Documentation + VALUE Rubrics

Student writing assignments from various disciplines across campus are evaluated by multiple faculty members using a modified VALUE Rubric. This assessment of student writing was connected to Course Activity Documentation (CAD) data to investigate if associations between the amount of writing in a course and writing performance. Results from this assessment will be used for university reporting and to provide feedback to departments about how students are performing on written communication and critical thinking tasks.

College of Engineering and Engineering Technology
Department of Industrial Systems and Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Industrial Systems and Engineering

Each student in the program is required to do a senior design project. These projects are sponsored by a company or hospital. The course instructor works closely with the students and the sponsors during the semester long project. Students are required to submit a project portfolio at the end of the semester. In addition, the students are required to make a final presentation on senior design day. The presentations are evaluated by the instructor, faculty in the department, and the sponsors. Conversations about the evaluations are shared with the students. Faculty and sponsors indicate that students are adequately meeting all learning outcomes. These conversations help make plans for improvement. Students voiced some concerns about team dynamics and gaps in communication due to physical distance between team members. The program plans to help students facilitate team communication through the use of the Collaborate feature in Blackboard.

Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning
High-impact Practices

Undergraduate Research and Artistry DayBy combining the use of multiple data sources and assessment methods, the Office of Assessment Services and the Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning teamed up to investigate the effects of high-impact practices on student retention over a multiple-year period.

NIU implemented more than 15 high impact practices.

A review of the data through the use of survival analysis indicates that high impact practices do show great effects on student success and retention.

College of Education
Department of Special and Early Education

Master of Education in Special Education

Faculty members in the program discuss assessment data at regularly scheduled program meetings in addition to frequently communicating with the program assessment coordinator. These discussions help inform specific changes to revise assignments, instruction, or assessments. These discussions helped professors see that students perform better when rubrics and assessment feedback are shared with students. Professors noted that students perform better when given the opportunity to review assignments scored on rubrics and incorporate that assessment data into future projects. The behavior intervention assignment is designed as a three part project to provide students the opportunity to use the assessment feedback they are given on the first two parts to make improvements to the final product.

College of Health and Human Sciences
School of Family Consumer and Nutrition Sciences
Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, Dietetics, and Hospitality Management

Ellington'sFaculty members used discussions about assessment data and a curriculum mapping process to address systemic concerns about curriculum, instruction and assessment. These discussions helped faculty develop a new program student learning outcome focused on the skill of collaboration/teamwork and rubrics to match the new outcome.

Faculty designed group assignments for students to complete in courses throughout the program because collaboration and teamwork is an important skill in hospitality and nutrition professions.

Faculty made efforts to balance measuring group performance as well as individual student performance within a group project.

College of Business
Refining Learning Goals and Outcomes: An Inclusive, Grassroots Process

The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accrediting body sets forth several expectations regarding the development of degree program learning goals and objectives. How these expectations are met impact buy-in or resistance to corresponding assessment activities. The NIU College of Business recently used an inclusive process to refine its undergraduate degree program learning goals and objectives, ensure market relevance of the degree program, and gain comprehensive stakeholder support.

College of Business
The Benefits of Engaging External Stakeholders in Ethics Assessment

Bill McCoy / NIU BELIEFThe College of Business has mature processes for assessing its business ethical awareness learning goal. From 2005-2011, only faculty and graduate assistants were involved in assessing student work. In 2013, external stakeholders were asked to sit side-by-side with College of Business faculty to assess student work using a rubric. The external stakeholders provided valuable validation of faculty assessment results, feedback on the assessment assignment, and examples on the application of ethics in real world business situations.

Division of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management, Planning and Assessment

In FY14, Planning & Assessment went through a revision process based on a comprehensive set of assessments over the course of the year. The goal was to establish a functional area that served the needs of the Division more effectively and efficiently while allowing the Director the discretion to evolve the office as needed to meet national trends and better serve the Division. This work was done through a benchmarking study, a needs and satisfaction assessment, as well as an internal and external review. Findings were compiled and recommendations were taken to the VP for Student Affairs. The result was a newly formed Planning & Assessment, which has made great strides in service to the Division during FY15.

Division of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management, Planning and Assessment
Gender & Sexuality Resource Center

NIU Gender & Sexuality Resource CenterIn FY14, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Resource Center and Women’s Resource Center underwent a merger process, resulting in a new department, name, and mission. Throughout the year, faculty, staff, student, alumni and community stakeholders contributed to the merger through benchmarking, interviews, and focus group feedback.

As a result of the data gathered, the new department was named the Gender & Sexuality Resource Center.

In fall 2013, staff interviewed 20 students, faculty, staff and community members, gathering data to inform an understanding of how each center served the campus in the past.

Six focus group sessions were offered in spring 2014, allowing campus community members, including previous and aspirational collaborators, to provide feedback on how the new mission should be put into action and what the new center name should be.

Throughout the year, staff from each center learned about what each center had previously accomplished at NIU, and collaborated on programming initiatives to be inclusive of current trends impacting women, men and LGBTQ populations.

Key programs included bringing speaker Kye Allums, the first openly transgender Division I basketball player, to campus. Further, the “Beyonce’s F-word” program took a fresh approach to feminism, gender and femininity during Women’s History Month. Traditional events such as the Clothing Expo and Ally Program yielded record numbers, with more than 120 attendees and more than 575 active allies, respectively.

Overall, the success of this merger can be attributed to many individuals who helped keep students at the center of the new department’s work.