Call it perfect timing. Karisa Kuipers came to NIU to pursue a master’s degree in Kinesiology and Physical Education with a specialization in Sport and Exercise Psychology. By the time she finished in May 2019, the department was close to debuting a
Read moreSymposium to examine Paseo Boricua as ‘Community as Intellectual Space’
A two-day symposium in Chicago this month will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos High School and the broader work of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center. Laura Ruth Johnson, a co-organizer of the event, expects academic scholars, community leaders,
Read moreKNPE ‘mom’ Jeanne Johnston to retire
Growing up in suburban Monona, Wis., Jeanne Johnston thought she’d like to become a teacher. Life had different plans, of course, and Johnston herself contributed to that when she enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater to study business administration. And when she
Read moreTodd Gilson digging in as associate dean of Research, Resources and Innovation
As someone who has studied what distinguishes successful leaders from the rest, Todd Gilson is attracted to administration for interesting reasons. “I think it’s very fun to sketch things out on a whiteboard,” says Gilson, the college’s new associate dean of Research,
Read moreNew KNPE chair Steve Howell pledges to sustain momentum, celebrate success
If everything happens for a reason, Steve Howell is living proof. The new chair of the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, who has taught in the sport management program since his arrival at NIU in 2011 as a visiting assistant professor,
Read moreThree additional 2+2 agreements signed with Waubonsee Community College
Three more NIU College of Education bachelor’s degree programs are now available in a seamless 2+2 format to Waubonsee Community College students. Early Childhood Education, Special Education and Kinesiology have joined Elementary Education, Physical Education and Sport Management on the menu of
Read moreHard fun: Naperville children provide data on robots, computational thinking
Some faculty in the Department of Educational Technology, Research and Assessment (ETRA) were busy this summer writing about robots – and children. Can children program robots to sort differently sized objects for recycling? Can they write code for robots to simulate an
Read moreEmerson Sebastião surprised, motivated by award for mentoring CURE research
Emerson Sebastião’s first experience as a mentor for NIU’s Conference on Undergraduate Research and Engagement left him hungry for more. That his 2022 debut came with a Faculty Mentor of the Year award makes it even sweeter. “Students who submit a proposal
Read moreVirtual virtuosos: ETRA keeps Learn-IT online, adds student panel discussions
Learn-IT was still virtual in 2022 – and organizers remain enthusiastic about some of the benefits of that online delivery. The Department of Educational Technology, Research and Assessment’s annual workshop for pre- and in-service educators traditionally has been held the first Saturday
Read moreWOW: Week(end) of Welcome in photos
The NIU College of Education kicked off the Fall 2022 semester with the annual Student Welcome Picnic, the COE Sweet Tea and a breakfast for new faculty. Check out some photos from all three events! Click on any image for a larger
Read moreMessage from the Dean
Hello, and welcome to summer! The temperatures and heat indices of mid-June leave no doubt that the lazy, crazy, hazy days are here. I hope you’re finding time to rest, rejuvenate and indulge in whatever makes you happy, whether that’s traveling, catching
Read moreBill Pitney returning to KNPE faculty
As change looms for Bill Pitney, he is in awe of his good fortune. “Being able to go back to the classroom and work with our students? I mean, how cool is that? To revisit the thing that drew you here in
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