Staying Connected and Informed
Important information is shared every day through meetings, newsletters, committees and conversations. To ensure transparency, alignment and engagement, we all play a role in both receiving information and sharing it appropriately with others.
Regularly engaging with available communication channels and interacting with committee representatives are essential to staying updated. No single source provides everything. Staying informed requires attention to multiple communication channels. If you cannot attend meetings in person, ask your representative or supervisor where the meeting minutes and/or presentations can be accessed.
Communication Channels
University-wide
- Committees of the University
- Board of Trustees
- Budget and Planning
- Faculty Senate Agendas and Meeting Summaries
- Monday Morning Announcements
- NIU Events Calendar
- NIU Newsroom
- NIU Social Channels
- NIU Today
- Operating Staff Council Northern Staff News
- University Leadership Meetings and Presentations
College of Education
- All-College Meetings
- COE News Blog
- COE Social Channels
- Dean’s Office Hours
- Department/Office meetings
- Ed News Newsletters
Communication Assistance Available
Need to communicate information or develop materials in support of an event or meeting? Contact Susan Mizgalski, our senior director of communications, at smizgalski@niu.edu to develop materials with our creative services team, obtain brand approval through our clearinghouse team and add your event to our NIU calendar.
Please note: new guidance has been posted related to the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) when developing materials that represent NIU.
Committee Representatives
Committee representatives participate on behalf of their program, department and/or college. They bring relevant input from their area to meetings and communicate important decisions, updates, opportunities and implications following meetings.
University Committee Representatives
| Committee | Representative(s) |
|---|---|
| Council of Deans | Mary E. Earick |
| Academic Planning Council | Jacki Mac |
| Baccalaureate Council | Neal Ternes |
| Committee for the Improvement of the Undergraduate Academic Experience | Jodi Lampi |
| Computing Facilities Advisory Committee | Wei-Chen Hung |
| General Education Committee | Rod Caughron |
| Graduate Council | Melissa Fickling, Rodney Caughron, Natalie Andzik |
| Honors Committee | Melanie Koss |
| Innovative Teaching and Learning Advisory Committee | Jodi Lampi |
| Libraries Advisory Committee | Hyoju Ahn |
| Research and Innovation Advisory Council | Natalie Andzik, Todd Reeves |
| University Assessment Panel | Peitao Zhu, Wonock Chung |
| University Outreach Advisory Committee | Pi-Sui Hsu |
| University Press Board | Patrick Roberts |
| Web Steering Committee | Susan Mizgalski |
College of Education: Committee Representatives
Senate Leadership Team
| Representative | Role/Area |
|---|---|
| Mary E. Earick | Dean |
| Todd Gilson | Associate dean of research, resources and innovation |
| Carolyn Pluim | Associate dean for Academic Affairs |
| Sally Blake | Chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction |
| Suzanne Degges-White | Chair of the Department of Counseling and Higher Education |
| Wei-Chen Hung | Chair of the Department of Learning Innovation, Leadership and Technology |
| Bess Wilson | Chair of the Department of Special and Early Education |
| Paul Wright | Interim chair of the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education |
| Kim Green | Director for student success |
| Eric Junco | Director of academic cultivation and engagement |
| Susan Mizgalski | Senior director of communications and strategy |
College Council
| Representative | Area/Role |
|---|---|
| Mary E. Earick | Dean |
| Melissa Fickling | Counseling and Higher Education |
| Jodi Lampi | Curriculum and Instruction |
| Lisa Liberty | Special and Early Education |
| Shaine Henert | Kinesiology and Physical Education |
| Todd Reeves | Learning Innovation, Leadership and Technology |
| Stephen Tonks | Learning Innovation, Leadership and Technology |
| Lindsey Gabioud | Dean's Office |
| Todd Gilson | Dean's Office, ex officio |
Curriculum Committee
| Representative | Area/Role |
|---|---|
| Tom Smith | Learning Innovation, Leadership and Technology |
| Q Hutchings | Counseling and Higher Education |
| Michelle Sands | Special and Early Education |
| Neal Ternes | Kinesiology and Physical Education |
| Diana Bonilla | Curriculum and Instruction |
| Kim Green | Office for Student Success |
| Alex Owens | Office for Student Success |
| Lindsey Gabioud | Dean's Office |
| Carolyn Pluim | Dean's Office, ex officio |
Research Committee
| Representative | Area/Role |
|---|---|
| TJ Schoonover | Counseling and Higher Education |
| Razak Dwomoh | Curriculum and Instruction |
| Wonock Chung | Kinesiology and Physical Education |
| Ximena Burgin | Learning Innovation, Leadership and Technology |
| Michelle Sands | Special and Early Education |
| DeeAnna Phares | University Libraries |
| Todd Gilson | Dean's Office, ex officio |
Contact Us
Office for Student Success
Academic Advising and Student Engagement
815-753-1948
coestudentsuccess@niu.edu
Gabel Hall 138
Academic Departments
Program Information
cahe@niu.edu
cidepartment@niu.edu
knpe@niu.edu
lilt@niu.edu
seed@niu.edu
Dean's Office
General Information
815-753-1949
cedu@niu.edu
Graham Hall 321