Message from the Chair

Suzanne Degges-White
Suzanne Degges-White

CAHE is ready for spring!

We are so excited to have this opportunity to share a little bit about the exciting happenings here in the Department of Counseling and Higher Education this Spring as we make our way toward the end of a very challenging academic year.

Our amazing team here in the department, including staff, faculty, and our graduate assistants, have been working hard to ensure that our program offerings and student opportunities remain vibrant and cutting edge even in the midst of a pandemic.

In our Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) programs, faculty have been reviewing our programmatic learning outcomes and our course content as they work to ensure our programs prepare master’s level practitioners and doctoral level executives who are ready to take on contemporary challenges in the field of higher education. The faculty are looking at everything from textbook to assignments to course sequencing as they fine tune our degree programs.

Our CACREP-accredited Counselor Education programs continue to attract a larger number of applicants than we are currently able to admit, so Spring Admissions Season is always hectic. We recently hosted our first online Pre-Admission Workshop for MS students. The faculty did a wonderful job pivoting to this new platform and we are hoping we’ll be able to meet our new cohort face-to-face in the fall.

This academic year has been unusual one to begin new jobs, but Dr. Jehan Hill and Dr. Peitao Zhu, our newest core faculty members, have already made a positive impact on our students and our programs as they bring their expertise into the classroom.

Jehan Hill and Peitao Zhu
Jehan Hill and Peitao Zhu

When asked about their transition to NIU during this year of online engagement, Dr. Hill responded:

With an uncertain look on their face, I often get asked the question, “How is starting a job amid a pandemic?” That question is easy for me to answer. I have only felt supported, encouraged and connected to my NIU family. I attribute this to my welcoming colleagues, amazing students and quick-thinking College of Education, which have attentively helped me feel a sense of belonging through meaningful programming and creative virtual activities. I cannot speak more highly of my transition to NIU and always feel inspired by our master’s and doctoral students. Thank you, Huskies, for the warm welcome!

Dr. Zhu shared his feelings about this unusual academic year:

It has been quite a journey since I joined the NIU Counseling faculty last Fall! There have certainly been challenges, as being a new faculty during a global pandemic is probably not something one gets trained in their doctoral program. Meanwhile, I feel extremely fortunately to have a group of thoughtful and generous colleagues who have supported me through all the challenges. I have also been exceedingly impressed by our students’ commitment to learning. Can’t wait to continue on this journey!

Thank You to Our CAHE Team
I’d like to give a shout-out to all of the personnel who make these exciting developments possible:

Department Office Team
Jamie Colbert, Office Administrator
Mary Kay Soesbe, Office Support Specialist

Recruitment Team
Danae Miesbauer, Academic Counselor

Higher Education and Student Affairs Faculty
LaVerne Gyant, Professor
Xiaodan Hu, Assistant Professor
Katy Jaekel, Assistant Professor
Carrie Kortegast, Assistant Professor
Norma Lopez, Instructor
Jacki Mac, Visiting Assistant Professor
Gudrun Nyunt, Visiting Assistant Professor

Counselor Education Faculty
Adam Carter, Assistant Professor
Jehan Hill, Assistant Professor
Melissa Fickling, Assistant Professor
Kimberly Hart, Clinical Assistant Professor
Dana Isawi, Assistant Professor
Patrick McMillion, Instructor
Peitao Zhu, Assistant Professor

Finally, if you are able to support our programs financially, please consider designating a gift to CAHE at http://niufoundation.org/invest-niu/ways-give/. Please also stay in touch with us online at http://www.cedu.niu.edu/cahe/, and feel free to reach out to me anytime at sdeggeswhite@niu.edu.

Go Huskies,

Suzanne Degges-White
Professor and Chair, Department of Counseling and Higher Education

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