Congratulations to these members of the NIU College of Education family!
Gudrun Nyunt, associate professor in the Department of Counseling and Higher Education, was named a 2026 ACPA Diamond Honoree by the ACPA Foundation of the American College Personnel Association.
Established in 1999, the Diamond Honoree Program is a way for those who care about students – and the research, scholarship and programs that promote student development and success – to help advance the association’s efforts.
Diamond Honorees are “championed” by dedicated individuals who recognize their specific contributions and choose to raise funds in honor of each Diamond Honoree’s outstanding and sustained commitment to higher education through student affairs and student development.
Those funds are then utilized to help sustain the ACPA Foundation in its support of the research, scholarship, and programs that advance our field as a whole.
“It was humbling to hear about students’ experiences at convention, particularly how well-recognized our institution and program is within the ACPA family,” said Nyunt, who has been active in ACPA for more than 20 years and currently serves as vice president of Membership. “These experiences reinforced for me how important our involvement in professional association is for marketing and reputation-building efforts.”
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Nicholas Grahovec and Tyler Wood, associate professors in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, are among the 2026 Honors and Awards recipients of the Great Lakes Athletic Trainers’ Association (GLATA).
Grahovec, who is program director for Athletic Training Education at NIU, and Wood, the program’s Clinical Education coordinator, each were named an Outstanding Educator.
Representing districts 4 and 11 of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association, GLATA awards those who have significantly contributed to the education of GLATA members through athletic training education, mentorship, educational program development or other educational activities.
Nominees for the Outstanding Educator awards must be active members of GLATA for at least five years prior to nomination and show specific evidence of making a significant educational contribution to GLATA membership.
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