Natalie Andzik has been name the recipient of the 2024 Great Professor Award presented by the University Honors Program.
University Honors is pleased to announce Natalie Andzik as the winner of the 2024 Great Professor Award.
The University Honors Great Professor Award is an annual accolade that recognizes faculty and staff across campus for their leadership, dedication and service to honors.
Andzik, an associate professor in the Department of Special and Early Education, is a deserving recipient of the award for her incredible service to students in the University Honors Program.
“A champion of undergraduate research, Natalie Andzik includes undergraduate researchers in her work in every way,” said Andrea Radasanu, University Honors director. “We are thrilled to present her with this honor.”
Throughout her tenure at NIU, Andzik has included honors mini-sections in all her undergraduate courses, which has served 58 students pursuing Honors Program credit. Each of these were tailored to the Honors students, furthering their education and career development in a meaningful and impactful manner.
Andzik has overseen four honors capstones in the last three years and six overall during her time at NIU. She has given 17 presentations with various honors students, published articles with four students and has more student co-authored publications in the pipeline.
Andzik has received more than $16,000 in internal grants geared toward including undergraduates in research activities, primarily for Honors students. These grants are geared toward developing University Honors curricula within Andzik’s course sections.
Andzik’s research focuses on supporting communication independence among individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As a former special education teacher, she believes that teachers, paraeducators and other school-based practitioners benefit from support when implementing evidence-based practices.
“Natalie Andzik has made many sustained contributions to the enhancement of Honors education through teaching, advising, directing research and service at NIU,” said Stacy Kelly, professor in the Department of Special and Early Education. “She has truly gone above and beyond the call of duty supporting the University Honors program and is most worthy of recognition for her remarkable contributions.”
Andzik’s service to students and the university also includes a role as faculty mentor for the Research Rookiesprogram in the Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning.
Please join us in congratulating Natalie Andzik on winning this award!
