The annual Diversity and Inclusion luncheon for the Presidential Commission on Race and Ethnicity (PCORE) will take place on Friday, April 7 at noon in Ellington’s located in the Holmes Student Center. Students, staff, faculty and members of the community are invited to attend all or parts of the summit. Those interested in attending are asked to RSVP for the luncheon by Tuesday, April 4.
The 2023 luncheon discussion is titled “Invisibility and Hypervisibility of Arab and Muslim Americans” This conversation will analyze Banks (2014) naming of Arabs as “perpetual foreigners” in the United States and the impacts of that branding on curriculum and the sense of belonging of Arab and Muslim students in schools across America. We will discuss the impacts of media representation and ultimately the emerging caricatures of Muslim males and females, analyzing the impacts of these windows on the non-Muslim community at large (Jaber, 2022). Lastly, the conversation will explore how these perceptions have painted a picture that Islamic values and American values are in contention of each other.
Sawsan Jaber will serve as the keynote speaker for the Presidential Commission on Race and Ethnicity’s annual Diversity and Inclusion Luncheon.
Dr. Sawsan Jaber will serve as the keynote speaker for the luncheon. She is a global educator, presenter, equity strategist, curriculum designer, and keynote speaker of 20+ years. She has held a variety of leadership positions both in the U.S. and abroad. Dr. Jaber is currently a high school English teacher and a District Equity Leader at East Leyden High School in Franklin Park, IL. Dr. Jaber founded Education Unfiltered Consulting and works with schools nationally and internationally. She completed her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on inclusion and belonging of students from marginalized communities, with a focus on Arab American students in historically homogenous communities. Additionally, Sawsan is one of the founders of the Arab American Education Network (AAEN). Dr. Jaber is a National Board Certified teacher and focuses most of her research on engaging all students in equity work and advocating for Arab and Muslim students. Among other projects, she is currently working on national and international equity centered projects with Google and the National Board Association. Sawsan is a Pulitzer Teacher Fellow. She has been featured in several conferences and podcasts, and written several blogs, journals, and newsletter publications with the hopes to continue working with educators to empower students to work towards global equity and justice. She has published several scholarly works and a chapter in the book Navigating Precarity in Educational Contexts: Reflection, Pedagogy, and Activism for Change. Sawsan brings the perspective of being the daughter of refugees from Deir Yasin, Palestine.
The afternoon ceremony will honor five McKinley “Deacon” Davis Award recipients to acknowledge their contributions towards building and sustaining an inclusive campus. The recipients are Graduate Student, Dulce Hernandez; President of the Faculty Senate and Associate Professor, Ismael M. Montana, Ph.D.; Sr. Associate Athletics Director/Sports Administration of Intercollegiate Athletics, Courtney Vinson ; the Black Male Initiative (BMI) and Supporting Opportunities for Latinos (SOL) .
The 2023 PCORE Diversity Luncheon schedule is as follows:
12 p.m. – Luncheon
12:30 p.m. – Welcome; Presentation of Deacon Davis Awards
1 p.m. – Dr. Sawsan Jaber
1:40 p.m. – 2 p.m. -Discussion and Closing Remarks
For more information, contact Felicia R. Bohanon, PCORE chair, at (815) 753- 1867 or fbohanon@niu.edu.
Date posted: March 29, 2023 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on PCORE to host Diversity and Inclusion luncheon, discussion of Muslim representation
Bob Brinkmann, Laurie Elish-Piper, Dwi Agus Yuliantoro and Eric Jones at Indonesia’s SMA Pradita Dirgantara High School, where Yuliantoro is director.
The first students from Southeast Asia arrived on the campus of what then was known as the Northern Illinois State Normal School in 1903.
“One of the really interesting things about Indonesia, and really all of Southeast Asia, is how deep and how long our commitment is to the region,” says Bob Brinkmannn, dean of the NIU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
“These students came to us as part of group from the Philippines who came to NIU to get education degrees, and from all accounts that I’ve seen, it went extremely well. They were very welcome in the area,” he adds, “and, ever since then, NIU has had a connection to that part of the world.”
More than a century later, Brinkmann is part of nurturing and growing that connection.
Events on the busy itinerary included meetings at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, the National University of Singapore, the mayor’s office in Makassar, Universitas Negeri Makassar, Hasanuddin University and Universitas Muhammadiyah.
Bob Brinkmann saw old friends and made new ones at Universitas Warmadewa in Bali, Indonesia.
Discussions regarding an international collaboration were held with leaders of Universitas Widya Mataram in Yogyakarta.
Brinkmann delivered the introductory speech, moderated the first plenary session and helped to preside over the closing ceremony.
Jones presented a plenary session with NIU colleagues Shupei Yuan, Abu Bah and moderator Dan McCoy. He also moderated the “Technology for Good: How Technology can Help Allocate Green Capital Efficiently to Drive Sustainability” session, during which Elish-Piper presented “Education as A Lever for Digital Transformation and Sustainable Development.”
The trio also met with several NIU alumni who are prominent and influential leaders in their native country, including Anies Baswedan, governor of Jakarta from 2017 to 2022 and a 2024 presidential candidate.
Other Huskie alums include Nico Harjanto, special staff of the Minister of State Secretariat, Office of the President of Indonesia; Andi Malarangeng, former minister of Youth and Sports at Second United Indonesia Cabinet; and nearly a dozen leaders of higher education.
“They created democracy there: the majority of the authors of the constitution and Indonesian election law, who enshrined democracy and representative government in this dictatorship that had not seen it; the first head of the National Election Commission; the presumptive next president. They’re all over politics and government, and in good ways,” Jones says.
Eric Jones
“That one of the vibrant democracies in the world is a direct result – a majority result – of our alumni is quite spectacular,” he adds, “and our continued engagement at all levels of government and academics, and across all sectors, speaks to a deep content knowledge. It speaks to applied engagement in training in the public and private sectors as well as to abiding the best parts of international cooperation.”
Such cooperation will attract more Indonesians to DeKalb in the future to tap into NIU expertise, he says, and will foster a climate of mutual learning that benefits NIU faculty.
Brinkmann expects only positive outcomes.
“Given the significance of Indonesia in the region as a leader of the non-aligned movement in that part of the world, a new member of the G20 and hosting G20 Indonesia, Indonesia is indeed on the global stage,” Brinkmann says, “and because of NIU’s presence in the country, and the history that NIU has had through the work of our alumni, we are joining Indonesia on the global stage.”
SMA Pradita Dirgantara High School in Central Java.
FOR ELISH-PIPER, THE TRIP provided an opportunity to visit one of the destinations of last summer’s Educate Global travelers: Central Java’s private SMA Pradita Dirgantara High School, operated by the Indonesian Air Force.
“We met with our partners there, and they were very complimentary. They loved having our students come, and they’re excited to host students this summer. We’ll have 10 students from the College of Education, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the College of Visual and Performing Arts who will be traveling there from June 26 to July 14,” Elish-Piper says.
NIU leaders meet with Her Royal Highness Princess Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Mangkubumi (second from left) and her lady-in-waiting/personal assistant.
“They’re also interested in the possibility of having us deliver a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction for their teachers and for teachers at nearby schools to provide them with professional development and degrees opportunities in areas of global competencies, education and STEM teaching.”
“I don’t think everyone on our campus knows about the rich, deep relationship,” she says, “or the amazing, accomplished alumni from Indonesia who are in incredibly important positions as well as the collaborative opportunities we have had and that we will have.”
Much of the credit goes to Dwight King, Jones says.
Dwight King
King, who joined NIU in 1978 and retired 30 years later, served as director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies from 2006 until 2008.
Fluent in Bahasa Indonesia, he was awarded a Fulbright early in his career and later served as a visiting scholar in Thailand and Indonesia. Widely published on Indonesia, he consulted for the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Ford Foundation, the World Bank and the Mennonite Central Committee.
From 1999 to 2007, King was an adviser and election monitor in Indonesia and East Timor for The Carter Center; in 2012, he received a lifetime achievement award from the Indonesian government.
“He was a real mentor these students from Indonesia,” Jones says. “He recruited them, brought them and was an incredible shepherd to them.”
Similar impacts are happening for current Huskies who grew up in the United States.
Brinkmann witnessed that at SMA Pradita Dirgantara High School, where the director made sure that NIU students enjoyed an “amazing” time while so far away from home.
They saw a fashion show featuring costumes from different parts of Indonesia – with their faculty wearing them. They learned some Indonesian phrases. They learned about Indonesian food. They went whitewater rafting.
Jones and Brinkmann with colleagues from Universitas Warmadewa.
“Those one-on-one experiences are so beautiful and life-changing,” Brinkmann says. “I had the opportunity to go on that whitewater rafting trip, and many of the students who were on that trip said, ‘This has changed my life in incredible ways. I want to work in international education,’ or, ‘I want to work with students who are from other countries.’ ”
Many never had experienced a Muslim culture before, he adds.
“This school is a mix of Muslim, Christian and others, but certainly the Islamic world dominates in this part of Indonesia, and they had a great experience getting to know that culture in a deeper way,” Brinkmann says. “Now they can bring this understanding back to our country so, as we work our own diversity issues in our nation, we have champions for understanding and peace.”
JONES BEGAN HIS OWN career in search of learning about other places and ways of life.
“I grew up on a ranch in Wyoming, and I had never gone anywhere,” he says. “The day after I graduated high school – and because of National Geographic – I went to Indonesia randomly, and I was completely bowled over.”
The world’s largest Islamic country. The world’s largest Buddhist monument. Seventeen thousand islands. Seven hundred languages. Delicious food. Gorgeous weather. Beautiful scenery.
“It’s this incredible crush of diversity that, when you go, you realize how these people are making it work, and it’s fascinating,” Jones says.
“And if you look at the conversation around diversity, equity and inclusion, international engagement with students and faculty is one of the best ways to actually expose people to other people and other ideas,” he adds. “It’s an incredible opportunity for us, and with this special one, which has been so curated over many decades, you see that the love goes both ways.”
Symbols of the knighthood of Eric Jones (Daeng Marewa).
For Jones, his long and close relationship has resulted in an extraordinary recognition: knighthood.
His title, Daeng Marewa, means “Bravelord” in the Makassarese language.
“Bestowing royal title, or being knighted, is a longstanding Southeast Asian tradition dating back to the earliest recorded sources. It is a way for traditional kingdoms to engage and diplomatically connect,” Jones says.
“The Kingdom of Gowa-Makassar, where I was knighted by the Raja Gowa (the 38th king of Gowa), is one of historically powerful kingdoms controlling the Spice Trade from its strategic port in what is now eastern Indonesia,” he adds.
“I have been coming to this part of Indonesia for more than 30 years, including my first intensive language program, and have a close relationship with many students, families and friends in the region. Andi Malarangeng and Ryaas Rasyid, two of the four NIU Department of Political Science alumni who wrote Indonesia’s constitution, are from there as well.”
Brinkmann, who joined NIU in 2020, appreciates his opportunity to help advance the heritage his colleagues and predecessors built.
Bob Brinkmann and Aji Payuse.
“It says a lot about our Southeast Asian Studies program that, for generations now, we can show up in a country, be known for our work all throughout Southeast Asia and be respected for it,” Brinkmann says. “NIU, from the middle of the cornfields, is able to consistently and doggedly do work, send students to do research, welcome students, provide a home for them and create an environment where there is cross-cultural dialogue that is respectful and that allows us to move forward.”
Visitors from Southeast Asia to campus recognize the global impact of their homeland when they realize how many of their languages are taught in the Department of World Languages and Cultures, he says, or when they hear their songs performed by ensembles in the School of Music.
“The fact that we’re teaching our students the cultural aspects of those countries means the world to them,” he says. “They feel respected. They feel understood. They feel heard.”
Date posted: March 29, 2023 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on NIU leadership cultivates Indonesian relationships
Hospitality and Tourism Management, the program responsible for bringing us Ellington’s, has settled into its new home in the College of Business. Once a part of the College of Health and Human Sciences as its own major, it is now an emphasis made available to students studying Business Administration. For the first time this semester, hospitality students in Business Administration are enrolled in Foodservice Systems Management in Practice (BADM 303), taught by Executive Director of Campus Dining Daniel Koenen and Director of Retail Dining John Boswell. This course provides students a specialized hands-on experience while completing their required business coursework.
Each week, students create and prepare a themed meal that consists of both a meat and vegetarian entrée, starch, Vegetable, salad, and dessert. One student assumes a lead role commonly found in a food service operation; they oversee the overall success of their assigned service.
Hunter Rowland is a senior in Business Administration with a Hospitality and Tourism Management emphasis.
Hunter Rowland, a senior in Business Administration with a Hospitality and Tourism Management emphasis, and a current BADM 303 student, started off their college career at Kishwaukee College with the idea that they would go into accounting. Rowland stated, “In my final semester, Kishwaukee College started their hospitality program. I was not able to get into a class that semester but decided to take an extra semester to explore that field since it was something that interested me…. I really enjoyed it, and stuck with it, and then decided… to go for my bachelor’s in hospitality management here (at NIU)”.
With the plan of opening their own restaurant one day, Rowland concluded that an emphasis in Hospitality and Tourism Management would best suit their future goals.
The hands-on experience students will gain from this course is priceless. “I wish we had more experiential classes… You can’t manage what you don’t have experience in, at least, not well”, said Rowland. When asked what they like most about the program, they said, “I’ve found where I belong, and this is the next step to where I want to go and be”.
Upon assuming the lead role, Rowland felt that the overall experience had given them a better understanding on how to manage cohorts, plan menus, budget, as well as work with food vendors. What they enjoyed most about their service day was the ability to bring their menu to fruition. Rowland’s advice for fellow classmates who have yet to take the lead, “…plan but be prepared to pivot and adjust to what actually happens that day”.
Rowland is not entirely sure what they plan to do post-graduation, but they do have a 9-week internship this summer with the Divine Dining Group in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina that could potentially influence their next steps.
Megan Noe, a classmate of Rowland’s said, “I like that it (BADM 303) gives students the whole experience of running a restaurant, from planning the menu, scaling recipes, learning how (to) order the ingredients, making the food, and actually serving the customers as a team”.
Noe assumed the lead role at the end of February with a homestyle-themed meal. She had a seamless service but found communicating roles to be her biggest challenge.
A Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a Hospitality and Tourism Management emphasis will prepare students for the challenges they may face in their careers. Hospitality and Tourism Management careers span from operating a restaurant like Ellington’s to event planning to managing a hotel, the list is endless. Best of luck to Rowland and Noe. Their stories have just begun. We look forward to what the future holds.
Date posted: March 29, 2023 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on Where hospitality meets business
NIU will launch a new recognition week April 2-8 to celebrate the accomplishments of its nearly 4,000 graduate students. Graduate Student Appreciation Week will recognize the impact of these students not only on campus as students but also as teachers, leaders and alumni in the state and throughout the world. The Huskie community can learn more about the week’s activities and leave a message of appreciation for graduate students.
Jessica Reyman, associate dean of the NIU Graduate School, is working to organize the week and have it become an annual effort. She says graduate students are often overlooked because they’ve completed a college degree already and it can be perceived they don’t need as much support.
“Today’s graduate students are facing new challenges with more family obligations, financial unpredictability and mental health stressors than before,” Reyman says. “We want to acknowledge the resilience of graduate students in the current moment, who continue to reach toward better futures in this difficult context, and to celebrate what they’ve been able to accomplish through dedication and hard work.”
Jessica Reyman, associate dean of the NIU Graduate School.
The profile of NIU graduate students is varied, diverse and academically wide-ranging. Huskie graduate students are nearly 35 percent of NIU’s total enrollment, with an average age of 33. They choose from 20 degrees in 80 graduate degree programs and 65 graduate certificates across six colleges, not including the College of Law, and earn nearly 1,500 degrees each calendar year. And, those graduate students support teaching, research and service that would not occur without them.
“Think about our graduate assistants,” says Reyman. “They are not only gaining professional experience but are also making important contributions to the core mission and values of our institution. They work in labs and with faculty on innovative research to solve real-world problems, teach and mentor countless undergraduate students across colleges, and play important roles in student affairs and diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts on campus.”
The depth and breadth of graduate student impact helps NIU stand out among its peer institutions and allows the university to attract and retain talented students. However, it’s what those numbers don’t show that helps our graduate students stand out, emphasizes Reyman.
“Our graduate students are not only students; many are also working professionals and parents, holding jobs and carrying out family responsibilities, and some have traveled from all over the world to pursue their degrees,” she says. “They all have goals of finding lifelong career paths, becoming leaders in their fields, and better serving their communities.”
The recognition week will feature online and in-person activities that focus on professional development, health, and well-being. Events include a virtual trivia event; free bowling and billiards at the Huskie Den; a grab-n-go breakfast hosted by the Graduate School; a virtual presentation on the Latinx Guide to Graduate School and an afternoon yoga session exclusively for graduate students. Learn more about these events.
Date posted: March 28, 2023 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on University debuts Graduate Student Appreciation Week April 2-8
Honors students chose the theme of “creation/destruction” for Honors seminars next academic year. This evocative pair of concepts speaks to students’ interest in confronting change and finitude with an eye to renewal, progress, imagination, and resilience. Faculty were inspired by this call and proposed innovative and engaging seminars. Many of the seminars selected also meet human diversity and writing intensive requirements for students.
Seminars for fall 2023 semester cover topics from the health effects of social media to the use of music to inspire social change. Faculty come from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, College of Education, College of Law, and the College of Health and Human Sciences.
“Since starting the Honors Faculty Fellowship program four years ago, we have been fortunate to attract many new faculty to teach in the Honors Program. It has been gratifying to see a community of practice emerge, with courses that are truly interdisciplinary and fascinating to students from across campus,” said Andrea Radasanu, Director of the University Honors Program and Assistant Vice Provost for Student Enhancement.
Professors like Taylor Atkins, Distinguished Teaching Professor of History, who have taught seminars before appreciate the benefits of teaching in the Honors Program. He said, “One thing I’ve loved about teaching this Honors seminar in the past is watching students from diverse backgrounds, majors, and programs share insights from their respective disciplines while cohering as a community engaged in collaborative inquiry.”
Honors Seminars for the fall 2023 semester include:
Rebel Music (HIST 399/591)
This seminar focuses on the deployment of music for populist revolts, feminist critiques, and political and social change. Music has been used for such purposes throughout history, in innumerable cultural contexts. This course will employ a comparative framework drawing from music from the African diaspora and East Asia, including intersections between the two. There are seats for both honors and Master of Music students in this course. Students are required to develop individual research projects on relevant subjects, and to present these at a conference (open to the public) at the end of the semester.
Taylor Atkins, Department of History
Ethics and Society in Shakespeare’s Comedies and Tragedies (ENGL 315H)
Plays by William Shakespeare (1564–1616) continue to excite modern audiences in their romantic drama, political intrigue, and tragic violence. This Honors seminar focuses on ethical complexities built into the humor and the suffering represented within selected.
Timothy Crowley, Department of English
Good Kids, MAAD Cities: Multimedia Counterstorytelling (HON 410)
Counterstories offer opportunities to create new perspectives and dismantle old stereotypes. The role of digital media has gained prominence as a medium for constructing and circulating counterstories by those who have been disempowered through traditional publication and media outlets. This course will examine multimedia counterstories from a number of disciplinary perspectives and use those exemplars to support the construction of your own multimedia counterstories. Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid, MAAD City (2012) will serve as the central text and connect several multimedia counterstories to examine issues of history, power, storytelling, critical media literacies, and digital storytelling.
Joseph Flynn & Michael Manderino, Department of Curriculum & Instruction
Ethnicity, Religion, and Global Politics (POLS 370)
Religion, ethnicity, and culture are pivotal forces in political life. This course will investigate these important facets of political life and how they help explain and analyze policy debates including those around gender and minority rights.
Kikue Hamayatsou, Department of Political Science
Social Media: Creation or Destruction of Health? (HON310)
This course will consider the effects of social media across people’s life span and across diverse population. The past, current, and future perspectives of the role of social media to benefit and/or harm one’s health will be discussed, and students will have the opportunity to apply what they learn to individual physical and mental health.
Anitha Saravanan, Rachowicz Fellow, School of Nursing
“Creative Destruction”: Business, Law, and Literature in American Enterprise (HON 420)
This course provides various lenses – including business, law, and popular culture – through which to consider the impact of various corporate sectors on American society and culture, especially the automobile industry, securities and finance, and entrepreneurialism. This course culminates in a required pro bono project that will aid underserved members of our community. There are seats for both honors and law students in this course.
Telia Williams, College of Law
Date posted: March 28, 2023 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on University Honors announces Fall 2023 Faculty Fellows and seminars
Earning rave reviews from those taking part in the first cohort, the Staff Professional Development Academy is accepting applications for a new group of fellows.
Employees are encouraged to learn all about the year-long career development opportunity offered through the Office of the President and apply by May 1.
In the words of participants, the experience brings insight, understanding, perspective and connection.
“I would really encourage anyone to apply who is either looking for an opportunity to develop a professional knowledgebase on how NIU functions within the higher education landscape or looking for a meaningful professional development experience that connects you with colleagues across campus,” said participant Lauren Teso-Warner, director of Residential Life for Housing and Residential Services.
“I have never in my career been presented such an amazing opportunity to learn directly from such a diverse group of accomplished scholars and experts.”
The Staff Professional Development Academy is open to all non-academic, full-time service and SPS employees. A cohort of up to 15 academy fellows will participate in 10 monthly sessions with a diverse group of university leaders; engaging and interactive leadership activities; networking; and a mentor program.
A full program description provides more information about the program goals, curriculum and the application process. The following virtual information sessions also are planned:
“The academy strives to create a network of leaders at all levels and areas of the university to further promote and sustain a culture of shared leadership at NIU,” said Matt Streb, President Lisa Freeman’s Chief of Staff. “Our first cohort has been exceptional, and I’m excited to select next year’s cohort.”
Those interested in applying for the academy are asked to complete an online form and provide a brief letter of interest, current résumé and completed supervisor’s recommendation form. Supervisors can nominate candidates who will be invited to complete the online form as well.
Like other participants, Heidi Carlson, associate director of Event Production at the Holmes Student Center, applied to better understand the different departments within the university.
“The program brings together a group of individuals from such different roles, different experiences and backgrounds. This includes not only the participants, but also the mentors, facilitators and presenters,” she said. “This diverse group created an opportunity to have unique discussions. I really appreciated that.”
Participants are exposed to multiple facets of university leadership, operations, governance and the current higher education landscape.
“Before my participation, I really only saw my slice of the NIU pie,” said participant Kellie Dyslin, director of Funding Development and Lifecycle Enhancement in the Division of Research and Innovation Partnerships. “My experience in the academy has opened my eyes to how the university functions as a whole entity and how vital connections between divisions really are for the overall health of the institution. I have a deeper understanding of the NIU mission and vision and my division’s role in it.”
Among the many benefits, say those who took part in the first cohort, are the relationships formed, especially with their mentors. Mentorships provide someone to go to for advice and “the occasional gut-check,” Dyslin said.
“Our discussions on leadership have helped identify the style of leader I appreciate and hope to become,” Prange said.
She praised the academy for allowing her to see the university with a broader lens. Monthly sessions include discussions by different leadership teams on campus, and the knowledge gained is invaluable, Prange said.
“This allowed us to see how each department fits into the larger workings of the university,” she said. “It was interesting to hear about how each has evolved over time according to student trends, to fill gaps or to become more efficient. But my favorite part was seeing the Huskie pride each group had in their work and the impact they have on students, staff and the community.”
Participants say they now can share the information they’ve learned about university programs outside of their own with others, including future Huskies.
Large portions of the program focus on professional growth and enhancing staff’s leadership skills, such as consensus-building, conflict resolution, self-awareness and creating shared goals.
“My favorite session so far was our talk on being a student-centered university and having a panel of students for a Q&A session,” said participant Linda Condon, advisor in the University Honors Program. “This academy has not only increased my overall knowledge of NIU but also focuses on our individual development.”
For more information or questions, contact President Staff Fellow Jessica Nunez at jtotz1@niu.edu.
Date posted: March 28, 2023 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on Creating a network of leaders: Staff encouraged to apply for Professional Development Academy
For well over a decade, NIU STEAM has offered science, technology, engineering, arts and math camps for elementary through high school students on the campus of Northern Illinois University. This experience made NIU STEAM, in the Division of Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development, an ideal partner for Associate Professor Bryan Dallas, who recently won a $210,000 grant from the Illinois Community College Board to create a yearlong program to help high school students with disabilities prepare for and transition to college.
Associate Professor Bryan Dallas
The program – Huskies BELONG – is designed for high school students graduating in 2024 who have a disability impacting their education, who intend to go to college and are interested in STEAM careers. It consists of a one-week residential camp followed by ongoing connections and support for the college application process.
“Students with disabilities are underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) fields,” says Dallas. “Huskies BELONG aims to increase participants’ understanding of STEAM majors and career opportunities, as well as their belief that they can succeed in college.”
To achieve these goals, Dallas, an associate professor of rehabilitation counseling in the NIU College of Health and Human Sciences, is working with NIU STEAM to assemble a team of supportive professionals, including STEAM experts, camp counselors, volunteers, and an on-call nurse and personal care attendants who will be available as needed by campers.
Kristin Brynteson, Ed.D., director of NIU STEAM, says that Huskies BELONG contributes to NIU STEAM’s larger mission to inspire excitement about STEAM fields and expand the STEAM career pipeline to include people from diverse backgrounds who have been underrepresented in those fields, including students with disabilities and first-generation college students.
“We’re proud of our summer camps, which have always prioritized hands-on, project-based learning, exploration and creativity,” says Brynteson. “Hands-on projects encourage students to take ownership of their learning, to try new things and not be afraid of failure, and to be self-directed problem solvers – all skills that are essential for college and career success. We’re excited to partner with Bryan to offer these learning experiences at a camp tailored for students with disabilities, and to follow up with those students to support them in their college decision and application process.”
Dallas says the ultimate goal is for participants to be successful in college and enter the workforce after graduation – and that requires careful planning.
“Career exploration and college planning take time, and students with disabilities might have additional transitional needs that their nondisabled peers might not,” he says. “Examples include requesting academic accommodations from faculty members, acquiring audio books, or hiring and scheduling a personal care attendant. Disability laws and procedures change as students graduate from high school and enter college. It’s a big learning curve, and this program aims to help students navigate that process.”
Campers will interact with current NIU students with disabilities as well as NIU Disability Resource Centerstaff, and they’ll also have the opportunity for one-on-one discussions with NIU faculty and instructors about various undergraduate majors, minors and careers.
“The aim of these activities is to allow for career exploration and increase self-efficacy in pursuing college,” Dallas says.
Like all NIU STEAM camps, Huskies BELONG isn’t just educational – it’s also designed to be active and fun. The academic portion of the camp will include hands-on STEAM related activities, such as programming gyroscopes to follow directions, abstract painting, stop motion animation and use of green screens, creating products using 3D printers, and using assistive technology for academics. Other sessions will include role playing scenarios, such as how to discuss accommodation needs with faculty or instructors.
The camp will also feature social and leisure activities, such as free access to the NIU Recreation Center, horseback riding and animal encounters, game night, movie night, karaoke and bowling.
“The aim of these activities is to help participants test out the college experience, staying and dining in campus residence halls and developing a sense of belonging on a university campus,” Dallas says. “We want to help participants build their confidence in pursuing academics as well as a social network in college.”
Dallas will work closely with NIU STEAM Educator Becky Griffith, who is the project coordinator for Huskies BELONG and a licensed K-12 art educator. Griffith has been leading summer camps and after school programs related to art, video game design, coding and other STEAM topics for more than five years and is excited to share her love of creativity with the Huskies BELONG students.
“I believe that STEAM is for everyone and am excited to be a part of the Huskies BELONG Summer Camp,” Griffith says. “Our campers will get a great camp experience that accommodates different leaning needs.”
Even though it provides big fun, the summer camp is only one small part of the yearlong Huskies BELONG program. In the spring of 2023 (prior to the camp), program staff will initiate an assistive technology evaluation for each participant, and families will be invited to a Family Fun Day so participants can get to know each other before the summer program in July.
After the five-day summer camp, Huskies BELONG staff will stay in touch with students as they enter their senior year of high school and will work with them throughout the fall of 2023, helping them identify colleges of their choice and navigate processes for admissions, financial aid and college/university support services. Participants will also be invited back to NIU in October 2023 to participate in NIU STEM Fest.
Applications are currently being accepted for the Huskies BELONG program. To learn more or begin an application, visit go.niu.edu/huskiesbelong. View all NIU STEAM summer camps at niusteamcamps.com.
Date posted: March 27, 2023 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on Huskies BELONG helps high school students with disabilities transition to college and STEAM careers
Nancy Prange is on a mission to fight hunger and help others. After joining forces with Campus Dining Services, the director of NIU Dietetic Internship program launched an innovative new food program, Huskie Harvest, to accomplish both.
“All Huskies have a right to a healthy meal,” Prange said. “Everyone deserves to eat – it is a basic need – and that is where my heart goes.”
Prange said when students experience food insecurity, it can have a significant impact on their college experience and can affect their academic success. She hopes Huskie Harvest will change that.
Emilee Williams GA and Nancy Prange bringing in first donation of packaged catering event left overs
Since launching the program on Feb. 1, Prange and a team of NIU dietetics interns have recovered more than 520 pounds of food from NIU catered events. For the Huskie Food Pantry, that equates to more than 560 frozen meals and side dishes for students to enjoy.
“If we can help our students have access to quality healthy food, that is one less choice they have to make with their finances,” Prange said. “It may be the difference between passing a class or not passing, dropping out of school or earning a degree.”
For Prange, who earned her Master of Public Health (MPH) and doctoral degree in Educational Psychology from NIU in 2021, Huskie Harvest has been years in the making. What initially started as a public health class project grew into a campus-wide effort thanks to support from administration, a host of campus partners and student volunteers.
“So many people have been integral in the process – like Dan Koenen, executive director of Campus Dining and Abby VanWieren, director of Catering, and Jeanne Baxter of the Huskie Food Pantry,” Prange said. “And I really have to give credit to Clint- Michael Reneau, vice president of Student Affairs, who joined our discussions and said, ‘yes, let’s do this.’”
Huskie Harvest began with a simple premise: catered events on campus typically have quality food that is left over. The food can be recovered – and offered to students experiencing food insecurity – rather than discarded and ending up in a landfill.
“NIU students should have access to safe, nutritious, and culturally appropriate foods,” said Emily Korte, a dietetic intern and volunteer. “This program supplements needs and will allow NIU students to succeed. Furthermore, it is a sustainable program that combats food waste.”
Prange met with Koenen and VanWieren to review the catering schedule and identify buffets where leftover food may be available.
“Campus Dining leadership has been instrumental in the program,” Koenen said. “John Boswell, director of Retail Operations, Abby VanWieren, director of Catering, and Mitch Magnani, Catering Chef all support the program.”
Koenen said when working out the details of Huskie Harvest, the main challenge revolved around staffing.
“It takes a lot of work to package the meals, label them correctly with ingredients and allergens, and deliver them to the food pantry,” Koenen said.
Prange offered solutions, arriving with a team of student volunteers who pack, label and deliver the meals to the pantry which are frozen to increase shelf life.
“Nancy has been wonderful to work with and she is the person that got this off the ground,” Koenen said. “She is committed to the fight against hunger and helping our students that are experiencing food insecurity.”
“I am so proud of the efforts of Dr. Prange and her team,” Isabel said. “This extremely important project will enhance the well-being of our NIU Huskies!”
On the first day they packed food, they recouped about 120 pounds which became 104 meals and snacks for the pantry.
“When you look at a landfill, a larger producer of the greenhouse gasses is food waste,” Prange said. “By not sending hundreds of pounds of food that we recover to a landfill, we are helping reduce our campus’ carbon footprint.”
It’s a win-win for Huskies.
“All of the food we package for the food pantry would otherwise be thrown away,” dietetic intern Stacia Tietje said. “Many times we can package full meals, such as a protein, carbohydrate and vegetable for students to be able to heat up.”
According to dietetic intern and volunteer Emilee Williams, pantry users have given the meals a thumbs-up.
“Huskie Harvest is great because all students have to do is pop them in the microwave and they have a ready-to-eat meal or side,” Williams said. “(The program) has increased food access for all students who use the pantry.”
In turn, Williams said she has learned lessons beyond nutrition and dietetics through Huskie Harvest.
“I have learned that it really only takes a few people’s commitment and dedication to provide a resource like this for students,” Williams said. “The catering department where we recover the food has been beyond helpful and none of this would be possible without them. I hope that others at NIU start to recognize the impact food insecurity has on students and start to take on a bigger role in providing food security resources on campus.”
Koenen and Prange agree, adding that they are discussing future Huskie Harvest expansion plans.
Jessica Labatte, associate professor and head of the photography department at the NIU School of Art and Design has accepted the position of director of the school effective July 1, 2023.
Labatte will succeed Douglas Boughton, PhD, who is completing his three-year term as director. Boughton is a professor of art education and previously served as director of the school from 2008 to 2014.
Paul Kassel, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts lauded Boughton for his work as director, including his leadership during the school’s accreditation renewal process, the challenges of the pandemic and financial constraints.
“I look forward to working with Jessica to build upon Doug’s good work,” Kassel said. “To continue the successes, create new ones and to further mission, vision and values of the school, college and university.”
Labatte said being selected for NIU’s Emerging Faculty Leadership Program helped to spark her interest in the director position. The professional development program is designed to develop and expand faculty members’ capacity for leadership in higher education.
“Through the program I’ve seen that I can lead and make connections with other areas and faculty across campus,” Labatte said. “With the skills I’ve developed and the experiences I’ve had in the classroom and as an artist, I’ve realized that my ability to creatively solve problems would be an asset in leadership. The arts have a very important role in everything that our campus does and potentially could do. I feel like I can make the connections needed to create even more opportunities for our students.”
She is excited to be working with students from all areas of the school.
“Throughout the interview process I heard from students in other areas like illustration and art education what they would like to see in our school,” Labatte said. “I am excited to share what we’ve been doing in photography in collaborative experiential learning projects that have a connection to the community. I’ve worked to expand outreach in the arts and I’ll be able to do more of that as director. We have a great faculty with great ideas, and we’ll work together to make some wonderful things happen.”
She first came to NIU as a visiting assistant professor in 2012, and started on her tenure track in 2014. In addition to her academic roles at the university she has spearheaded a number of collaborative initiatives on and off campus. Faces of Belonging was a project in collaboration with the NIU Office of Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the City of DeKalb to create portraits of marginalized identities in STEAM professions. She worked with the Ellwood House Museum and the DeKalb Regional History Center on the Past and Pleasant exhibition.
In March 2022, she worked with campus and community partners as her ARTD 464 Advanced Photography Post Production class successfully created the world’s largest paper snowflake as certified by the Guinness Book of World Records. The snowflake is the focus of an exhibition at Founders Memorial Library from March 20 through April 10 with a special event scheduled for Thursday, March 23 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the library.
Labatte earned her Master of Fine Arts and her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
SHARE is a campus climate survey that is a “tool NIU uses to engage students who can provide insight into their attitudes, experiences and behaviors,” said Rose M. J. Henton, director of Prevention Education and Outreach for Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ADEI). Campus climate surveys are conducted by many colleges and universities to better equip them to address specific campus concerns rather than relying on national or regional data.
“The SHARE survey has been planned and implemented by several offices working in partnership to make sure we hear the voices of diverse perspectives and stakeholders,” explains Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Vernese Edghill-Walden. “Now we need to hear from students. Their voices are critical as this is an important topic. I want to thank everyone for implementing this survey. The more we know and learn the more we can best support the NIU community.”
Monique Bernoudy, assistant vice president in ADEI, couldn’t agree more. “It is important to allow our students the opportunity to provide pertinent information in a confidential manner,” said Bernoudy. “Sexual misconduct is a very difficult situation, allowing students to provide their perceptions and experiences will help the university gain the student perspective.”
This is the fourth time NIU has conducted the survey. The survey is voluntary and takes about 15 minutes to complete. “We are focusing on specific information that will help us improve our programming, training and ensure student success,” said Henton. “We are hoping streamlining and shortening the survey will improve participation,” she said.
“Student participation in the survey will help NIU to identify the issues it needs to address and determine the resources needed to address them,” said Mindy Schneiderman, assistant director at the Center for Governmental Studies. “The results are confidential, and participants cannot be identified by their responses.”
Once a student completes the anonymous survey, they can sign up to participate in a weekly drawing to win a $20 Starbucks gift card.
Since the survey launched in early March, there have been more than 400 students complete the survey. However, there are many who have started the survey and not completed it. “Our goal is to have at least 2,000 students complete the survey to have a statistically valid sample,” said Henton. “We are encouraging our faculty and staff across campus to inform students about this opportunity to share their voices and provide them with the survey link Sexual Harassment, Assault and Relationship Experiences (SHARE) Survey.”
The survey closes on April 7, 2023.
Faculty and staff who have questions about the SHARE survey can be directed to Rose M. J. Henton at rhenton@niu.edu. Students who have questions or concerns about the SHARE survey can reach out to Mindy Schneiderman, Ph.D., at schneiderman@niu.edu.
Date posted: March 23, 2023 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on Students have an opportunity to SHARE their voices
The record has been certified by the Guinness Book of World Records and you can come see the largest paper snowflake ever created when it is displayed in NIU’s Founders Memorial Library until April 10.
A special event will be held Thursday, March 23 that will feature a reception, opportunities to have your picture taken with the world’s largest paper snowflake as your backdrop, a create your own paper snowflake workshop, two talks featuring NIU experts, a time lapse video of the world record paper snowflake creation, real-time snowfall counts from Science on a Sphere, NIU student snowflake designs and much more.
The reception will be held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., March 23 in Founders Memorial Library.
At 4:30 p.m. there will be an expert talk by Joseph O’Brien, atmospheric science software specialist at Argonne National Laboratory’s Environmental Science Division and Victor Gensini, associate professor in the NIU department of earth, atmosphere and the environment where he specializes in extreme weather, climate variability/change and prediction
Committed to rapid decarbonization of campus, NIU earned one of nine pro bono consulting awards given to higher education institutions throughout the country.
Second Nature, a non-governmental organization focused on accelerating climate action in and through higher education, announced the pro bono consulting awards this month. NIU will work with Second Nature partner Coho, a global advisory firm, as it transitions to renewable energy.
“We are excited about the opportunity to work with Coho Energy. Their experience and expertise will be invaluable to inform our decision-making process as we transition to solar energy and achieve our campus decarbonization goals,” NIU President Lisa Freeman said.
“Specifically, Coho will help us to identify the renewable energy projects on campus that provide NIU the best opportunities to fulfill our commitment to carbon neutrality, while also using our campus as a living laboratory to engage with students around real-world sustainability solutions.”
As part of the Second Nature initiative, technical and advisory support worth up to $20,000 was given to nine campuses at no cost to them in the areas of climate action planning, shifting to renewable power and water resiliency strategy.
The pro bono consulting opportunity was first announced in fall of 2020, as a new Solutions Center initiative. Provided and sponsored by Coho and Brailsford & Dunlavey, another Second Nature partner, 10 colleges and universities were awarded in that inaugural round. Due to the success of the 2020 effort, Second Nature offered another round of pro bono consulting this year.
“As a peri-urban campus with ample land, NIU has the potential to become energy self-sufficient and significantly reduce our overall greenhouse gas emissions,” Gallaher said. “Partnering with Coho will provide us with the much-needed industry expertise to optimize our land utilization and infrastructure resources.”
NIU signed Second Nature’s climate leadership statement last summer, vowing with other college and university leaders to help shape a sustainable society. The university is committed to become carbon neutral by 2050.
“We really needed a consultant to help us sift through not just the technical options, but the current economic and policy landscape to figure out what’s best for NIU,” she said.
The award not only reflects the commitment of the university’s senior leadership to sustainability, as outlined in the university’s goals, it also positions NIU as a leader in the community around sustainability.
It will help advance projects that can be used in numerous academic areas, such as environmental studies and engineering, Gallaher said. Solar farms can also be combined with other activities, including agricultural production or prairie restoration.
“As living laboratories for students, these solar projects can become classroom spaces for students to learn about and do research related to sustainable energy,” Gallaher said.
Date posted: March 21, 2023 | Author: Andrew Pemberton | Comments Off on NIU wins pro bono consulting services to advance shift to renewable power
