Part of a dean’s job is to serve as a representative voice – a passionate champion for students, faculty, staff and, most broadly, education.
Although I proudly wear that hat constantly, and most often on-campus in DeKalb, I have taken our agenda on the road in recent days.
On March 21, I joined several NIU colleagues in Springfield for a day of advocacy. Our group comprised 15 administrators and staff, 18 alumni and, I am happy to report, 25 students.
The trip, organized by the university and the NIU Alumni Association, allowed five hours for individual meetings with various state lawmakers when we could not only make the case for higher education funding but also share about the important initiatives that we are implementing to improve the lives of students, families and communities in our state.
We also enjoyed a short talk from two NIU alumni who currently serve in the Illinois General Assembly: “Advocacy 101 from a Legislator’s Perspective” provided valuable advice for speaking to our representatives and, sometimes, their staff.
Last weekend, I traveled to Arizona to gather with NIU College of Education alumni and to tell them about the amazing work taking place at their alma mater.
Joining me was Debi Gillette, our new senior director of Advancement. She is an NIU alumna who has served donors and nonprofits for the past 25 years; much of her work has taken place in the Chicago area, including the Chicago Zoological Society/Brookfield Zoo, Advocate Charitable Foundation and Lurie Children’s Hospital.
Debi and I participated in several individual meetings with our alumni; we also joined the Huskie contingent at an Alumni Association event to catch a Chicago Cubs game!
Conversations like the ones Debi and I had with our alumni truly energize them to “pay it forward” to the generations of students who followed in their footsteps to DeKalb. They want to support our college and our students, and they appreciate the face-to-face interactions that vividly illustrate our programs and our needs.
Finally, I thank everyone who helped to spread the word about Huskies United, which took place online between my two trips.
Both of our “unlocking” challenges – mine and the college leadership team’s – were reached within the first half of the 1,895-minute event. Meanwhile, Jerry and Annette Johns matched all donations to Project Graduate, doubling its positive impact.
Please know that I have found great reassurance in this busy week.
Knowing that so many people care about the College of Education as much as I do, and as much as we all do, is gratifying and inspirational. What we are doing is not only seen but is applauded as transformational and worthwhile, and I appreciate and thank you for your role in our work.
My best,
Laurie
