From hard hats to high tech, NIU’s College of Engineering and Engineering Technology(CEET) will spotlight the work of nearly 200 graduating seniors on Friday, May 1 at the 2026 Senior Design Showcase. Free and open to the public, the event is from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the NIU Convocation Center, 1525 W. Lincoln Highway...
A faculty member from the Department of World Languages and Cultures has been elected to help lead a worldwide professional organization with Northern Illinois University origins. Rahmi Aoyama, an instructor of Indonesian and faculty associate of NIU’s Center for Southeast Asian Studies, started her a three-year term this spring as vice president for the Council...
The Northern Illinois University College of Law has received American Bar Association approval to launch a part-time Juris Doctor program at the NIU Naperville campus, a milestone that expands access to accredited legal education for people across the Chicago region. The program will enroll its first class in fall 2027. Designed to provide flexibility without...
In late March, our NIU College of Business hosted its HAVI Hackathon event. Thirty-five students from across campus gathered to compete in teams with a common goal: To build forecasting models to predict the daily quantity sold for each of 50 menu items across a network of 15 quick-service restaurants located in the Midwestern United...
Northern Illinois University is expanding access to healthcare careers through a collaboration with Northwestern Medicine, whose funding is helping students gain clinical experience, prepare for medical, dental and other health professional programs, and explore pathways across the health professions. The investment reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the next generation of healthcare professionals. Since the...
As the second highest producer of teachers in Illinois, NIU is a leader in preparing and graduating future educators. NIU first opened its doors in 1899 as the Northern Illinois State Normal School, solely to prepare college-educated teachers. NIU has since grown into a world-class university that attracts students from around the globe while still...
For more than two decades, Liz Wright has been a steady, behind-the-scenes force helping NIU run smoothly. Described as the ultimate team player, she steps in whenever needed to support students, colleagues and the broader campus community. Now, the executive assistant in the President’s Office has been recognized with one of the university’s highest staff...
When colleagues at NIU need help getting things done, they turn to Chris Doe. Serving in roles spanning multiple areas of the university for more than two decades, Doe has been a constant source of support, knowledge and Huskie pride. She has been named as a 2026 Board of Trustees Staff Award recipient. The honor...
The Presidential Award for Staff Excellence recognizes up to six staff members per year who have gone above and beyond the specific duties assigned to them and have demonstrated excellence in their work. These individuals positively influence the work environment, foster cooperation, achieve goals and/or overcome obstacles/challenges, while carrying out employment responsibilities. Criteria: Be a...
April Startzel, Laura Fehling and Vicki Gerentes are the recipients of the 2026 Rising Huskie Staff Award. The award recognizes staff members who, while new to NIU, have demonstrated excellence, innovation and performance that have had a significant impact in a short period of time. Criteria: Be a regular staff member at least 51% time...
The NIU Staff Inclusive Excellence Award recognizes staff members each year who exhibit an outstanding commitment to fostering our institutional commitment of belonging and who are exemplars of what it means to foster a welcoming university community. Whether it is small or large actions, they embody the Huskie values of equity and inclusion. Criteria: Be a...
Edye Cowan and T. Ajewole Duckett are the recipients of the 2026 Staff Award for Student Impact. The award recognizes staff members who have gone above and beyond their normal job responsibilities to positively impact the quality of life and/or student experience for students at NIU. This includes staff from all divisions and all job...
