As NIU College of Education leaders invite proposals for 2026-27 Educate and Engage programs that will transport students throughout the region, across the country and around the world, they are hoping to grow the number of local and national trips. Proposals are
Read moreAll-college meeting digs deeper in ‘1-3-5’ action plans for thriving communities
Dean Mary Earick provided a deeper look at her “1-3-5” action plan pathways Jan. 7 during the All-College Meeting. Progress on the college’s roadmap toward thriving communities is “grounded in our Strategic Action Planning Framework,” said the dean, who showed how this
Read moreGoing up: Fall 2025 enrollment climbs
Enrollment in the NIU College of Education is up 3.2% over last fall, powered by a 92-student jump in undergraduate population. The total headcount now stands at a 10-year high of 2,642; of those, 1,412 are in bachelor’s programs and account for
Read moreAll-college: Dean Mary Earick outlines vision, map to thriving communities
Mary Earick is visibly excited and honored to become the new dean of the NIU College of Education. During the Aug. 19 all-college meeting, Earick told stories of many “critical incidents” in her life that led to DeKalb while also presenting her
Read moreTorch lit, stoked, passed: Surbers retire from leadership of principal preparation
Wedding invitations. Birth announcements. Helpful conversations on choosing the perfect mother-of-the-groom dress. For Jim and Becky Surber, the longtime and now-retired coordinators of the NIU College of Education’s M.S.Ed. in Educational Administration – known colloquially as “principal preparation” – these little slices
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 moreLEPF celebrates 62 summer graduates
Sixty-two professionals are now ready to advance their careers with degrees earned this summer from the NIU Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations (LEPF). Among the new alumni are 25 educators prepared as school principals, 15 from the Rockford cohort and
Read moreGraham 227 turns into conference room with funds from Marguerite F. Key gift
NIU College of Education students, faculty and staff in the have a new space available for multiple purposes, thanks to the Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations. Graham Hall 227 – the Educational Leadership Conference Room – is now renovated and
Read morePrincipal Prep program gains approval to provide fully online, hybrid options
NIU’s M.S.Ed. in Educational Administration is going 100% online next fall for those future school principals who prefer that mode of course delivery. And, for those who would rather earn their master’s degrees in a hybrid structure with classroom and virtual settings,
Read moreMessage from the Chair
Greetings from the Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations (LEPF) and happy spring! It is great to connect with you once again and share news of the updates, events and ongoing initiatives occurring in the department. Over the recent months, we
Read moreOnline grad programs in good company via U.S. News & World Report rankings
Online master’s programs in the NIU College of Education are in good company, according to the annual rankings released Jan. 25 by U.S. News & World Report. NIU, which has been ranked every year since the distinction debuted in 2013, is tied
Read moreGlobal problems, community praxis: April 19 conference set to explore world conflict, peace
Scholars from NIU and Macedonia will convene Thursday, April 19, in DeKalb to discuss local, national and international approaches to peace and transcultural communication. “Global Problems and Community Praxis” is the second annual conference – but the first in the United States
Read more