Congratulations to these alumni of the NIU College of Education! Kendra Asbury, Ed.S. Educational Administration, ’24, and M.S.Ed. Educational Administration, ’11, is the new assistant superintendent of human resources for Freeport School District 145. Asbury most recently served as director of human
Read moreM.S.Ed. alumna Dana Freedlund named finalist for Rockford-area Golden Apple
Many teachers talk of playing school in their childhood basements as kids. Dana Freedlund did that, too. A chalkboard. A magnetic board. Desks. Worksheets that she handed out to her friends. She had it all. That’s not what drove her to a
Read moreDouble-alum Russ Dahmoff honored with hoops court sporting his name
Lyndon, Illinois, is a small village in Whiteside County, barely a 15-mile drive southwest from Sterling and hugging the Rock River. Agriculture powers the economy of “The Crow Capitol of the World,” where the population hovered around 650 during the 1950s and
Read moreNew seasons of ‘American Idol’ remind Vision Studies alum of his work’s worth
When the 24th season of “American Idol” debuted Jan. 26, Steve Pohl wasn’t watching. But that certainly wasn’t the case in the spring of 2019 during Season 17, when the NIU College of Education graduate played a pivotal role in the story
Read moreNIU celebrates fall commencement
Congratulations to our newest NIU College of Education alumni! Two of our graduates were featured in videos shown during the ceremony. First, meet Jocelyn Campos Diaz, who earned her B.S.Ed. in Physical Education. Next, meet Emerson Baptist, who completed his M.S. in
Read moreNew Teacher Send-off urges graduates to ‘just remember why you’re doing it’
Graham Davis felt ready to become a teacher. His NIU College of Education curriculum. His clinicals. His student-teaching. He was prepared. But then came job interviews, followed by an unexpected thought: “I don’t know what I’m doing.” “After that third interview, I
Read moreAlumni stars of ‘A Teacher’s Shoes’ talk educational philosophies at film’s debut
NIU College of Education alumni featured in the new documentary, “A Teacher’s Shoes,” spoke about their work during a panel discussion held after the Nov. 12 debut screening. Educators Grace Desmsedt, Ashley Manor and Dominique Yackley told stories about creating routines that
Read morePE alumni launch mentorship program
Members of the NIU Physical Education Young Alumni Network officially kicked off a mentorship program in the fall – and it’s already thriving. Forty-five alumni mentors are now working with current P.E. majors, sharing advice, stories and support. “It’s been inspiring to
Read moreCounseling faculty win national award for excellence in standards, innovation
When NIU received the national Robert Frank Outstanding Counselor Education Program Award this fall, Suzanne Degges-White was thrilled. But she wasn’t surprised. Just look at the facts, she says. The first in Illinois to receive the seal of approval from the Council
Read moreApplause! ‘A Teacher’s Shoes’ stars walk red carpet, watch documentary’s debut
People who celebrate the power of education – and those who practice it – came together Nov. 12 to watch the debut of a new documentary that takes a walk in “A Teacher’s Shoes.” The locally produced film, created by the NIU
Read moreDouble-alumna Cynthia Kilmer chosen for Teach Plus Illinois Policy Fellowship
Cynthia Kilmer, a double-alumna of the NIU College of Education, has been named a 2025-26 Teach Plus Illinois Early Childhood Educator Policy Fellow. According to the Teach Plus website, the program selects outstanding teachers to “develop their leadership abilities and learn to
Read moreAlumni Accomplishments
Congratulations to these alumni of the NIU College of Education! Keri Anne Alioto, Ed.D. Higher Education, ’23, is the new vice president for Student Affairs at Elmhurst University. Alioto most recently served as vice president for Student Affairs at Mount Mary University
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