Priyanka Jha was barely a teenager in India, and already brimming with ambition and confidence, when her ultimate destination in life came into view. “Since sixth-grade, I’ve always wanted to pursue a doctoral program – and in the U.S.,” Jha says. “I
Read moreKNPE Career Fair attracts more than 200 Sport Management, Kinesiology majors
As a freshman NIU softball player from St. Louis, Jaylyn Brister knows why she’s majoring in kinesiology. “I’m a student-athlete. I’ve been through injuries. I’m really interested in how the body works,” Brister says. “Using my muscles and my body as an
Read moreShine on! Two alumnae named finalists for Chicago-area Golden Apple awards
One dreamed of teaching art but eventually decided that she would not pursue that goal – until, well, she did. The other wanted to work as a print journalist, and even did so for a while, but ultimately realized that she needed
Read moreCollaborative study explores prevalence of mixed-methods research in ed tech
Mixed-methods research constitutes 12% of all published articles in the top 10 educational technology journals, according to a trio of researchers affiliated with the College of Education. Olha Ketsman, assistant professor in the Department of Educational Technology, Research and Assessment (ETRA), collaborated
Read moreUpward: ‘Blindness Experience’ scores rave reviews, nearly doubles enrollment
When Stacy Kelly debuted SEVI 205/505: The Blindness Experience last spring, 80 students from throughout the NIU campus registered for the new general education course. And then they told their friends. Enrollment has nearly doubled to 150 this semester – and Kelly,
Read moreFood for thought: Carolyn Pluim to talk school lunches, academic implications
Food, says Carolyn Pluim, is more than fuel – especially when it comes to school. Pluim is a widely published researcher and author on the topic of school lunch – and, as part of her work, she is able to set a
Read moreSweet! COE alumna Lisa Robinson wins Rockford-area 2025 Golden Apple award
Lisa Robinson, kindergarten teacher at Rolling Green Elementary School, has been a Golden Apple finalist before. And now Robinson, who earned a B.S.Ed. in Special Education: Deaf and Hard of Hearing in 2004, is a winner. “Being recognized as a Top 20
Read moreRecent ETRA master’s graduate equips future Huskies to navigate Blackboard
When NIU faculty have technical questions about Blackboard, they often turn to the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL). And when NIU students have technical questions about Blackboard, they turn to … well, typically, the faculty who are requiring them to
Read moreAlumna Erin Anderson finds her place, Golden Apple recognition as a principal
Erin Anderson had witnessed a Golden Apple surprise before. March 16, 2023. An entourage of well-wishers had come to Harlem School District 122’s Donald C. Parker Early Education Center, where Anderson serves as principal. They huddled near her office, waiting to congratulate
Read moreLynn Gibson co-authors children’s book with son, plans more ‘tiny hero’ stories
Lynn Gibson, clinical assistant professor in the NIU Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations, has co-authored and published a children’s book with her son, Bryn Sheedy Gibson. “How Elfie the Owl Saved Christmas – A Tiny Hero’s Tale,” the first in
Read moreGrateful: Double-alumna Mary Noe sees reward in sharing ‘gifts’ of NIU degrees
Mary Noe knows the key to flourishing and informational transactions between high school students and educators. Listening. “I feel that a lot of students do not have many people who would listen to them talk; they would talk at them but not
Read moreBuilding bridges: RISE to revolutionize teaching, learning in Rockford schools by engaging community, valuing voices
Taren Turner frames her obligation as an educator in terms of “ensuring responsiveness and innovation.” And the director of Alternative Education Programming for the Rockford Public Schools has discovered ways to do just that in the RISE (Rockford Inspiring School and Community
Read more