LEARN. SERVE. RESEARCH. ENGAGE. Office of Student...

LEARN. SERVE. RESEARCH. ENGAGE.

ANNUAL REPORT 2012-2013

Office ofStudentEngagement &ExperientialLearning

2 NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

The Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning (OSEEL) is dedicated to providing opportunities for undergraduates to engage in active learning. Through undergraduate research, service projects, Themed Learning Communities, and other high impact practices, NIU students develop critical thinking, use creativity, and employ multiple communication strategies while applying their skills to real-world problems.

As an outgrowth of the Curricular Innovations strategic plan, OSEEL works collaboratively across university divisions and colleges to create student-centered, research-based programming which utilizes experiential learning, both in and out of the classroom, to promote and sustain student success.

Through a variety of High Impact Practices students engaged in faculty-mentored experiential learning:

• Over 300 first-year students participated in Themed Learning Communities

• 402 students engaged in undergraduate research• 6,000 hours of service were completed by Huskie Service Scholars• More than 100 students attended graduate school preparation

workshops• Over 100 faculty mentors and instructors engaged students in and out

of the classroom

Our focus this past year has been on growing our programs to provide more opportunities for students to learn, serve, research, and engage in the classroom, on campus, and in the community.

Each of our programs align directly with the eight student learning outcomes of the Baccalaureate Review as we seek to enhance the cognitive, social, and academic skills of our students to prepare them to be life-long learners and responsible citizens in our ever-changing, global society.

Go Huskies!

Julia Spears, PhDAssociate Vice Provost for Engaged LearningDirector, Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning

FROMTHEDIRECTOR

OFFICE OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING 2012-2013 3

LEARN. SERVE. RESEARCH. ENGAGE.

Curricular Initiatives Themed Learning Communities 4 Course Transformation Project 8Research Research Rookies 11 Undergraduate Research Assistantship 14 Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program 14 UG Special Opportunities in Artistry & Research 15 Research Travel Scholarships Awarded 17 Undergraduate Research & Artistry Day 18 Faculty Mentor of the Year 21 McKearn Summer Fellows Program 22 Summer Research Opportunities Program 23 Research Experience for Undergraduates 23Civic Engagement Huskie Service Scholars 24 Project on Civic Reflection 24 VISTA 26 First-Generation Aspire to Succeed Together 27OSEEL Initiatives Graduate School Preparation 28 Northern Light Ambassadors 29 Engaged Learning Conferences 30 Our Partners 31

ANNUAL REPORT 2012-2013

Office of Student Engagement & Experiential Learning

OSEEL Staff with President Douglas Baker


Themed Learning Communities (TLCs) give students the opportunity to engage deeply with a course theme; connect learning across courses in collaborative and active ways; develop relationships with peers, faculty, and Peer Leaders; and, ease the transition into college.

14 TLCs

307 students

525 class sessions

Business & Society Themed Learning Community

• Co-enroll in small courses with 25 students or fewer

• Explore a common theme integrated throughout assignments, readings, and activities

• Upper-class Peer Leaders support social and academic transition

• Hands-on learning through field trips, speakers, and more

• TLC instructors receive additional professional development opportunities and a stipend

TheImpactofaLittleTLC

Retention rates of first-year students from fall 2012 to fall 2013

*

*Stratisfied random sample based on admissions criteria to match TLC students


13 Peer Leaders

250 hours of study sessions

6000 interactions with TLC students

PeerLeadersProvideExtraTLC

TLC Peer Leaders complete water bottle project during Peer Leader Training

Each TLC has a Peer Leader to assist TLC students with course work and acclimating to the University setting. Peer Leaders attend at least one TLC class each week, attend a staff meeting with OSEEL, and host at least one study session and/or community building activity each week.

In addition, Peer Leaders benefit from working with a TLC as they:

• Develop leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills

• Attend professional development workshops

• Network and build relationships with faculty, staff, peers, and TLC students

Cumulative second semester GPA for first-year students entering in Fall 2012

**Stratisfied random sample based on admissions criteria to match TLC students


percent of faculty surveyed strongly agreed that they felt connected to their TLC team after attending the institute

91

TLCFacultyInstitute

The TLC Faculty Institute is a two day training institute that provides support to TLC teams as they develop their theme, integrative assignments, experiential learning opportunities, and communication strategies.

49TLCinstructorsandstaffreceived instruction from OSEEL and a keynote speaker who also assists in the facilitation of subsequent workshops and team time.

TLC faculty, instructors, and staff at Spring 2013 Faculty Institute

Fall2012TLCs• Business & Society• Calculus I & Physics for

Engineers• Competing Global

Perspectives• Conflict & Creativity: Impact

of War on Art• Cultural Intersections of

Music and Literature• Developing Champions• Exploring Health Majors• Law School & You• Major Exploration• Psychology: Explorations of

Perception• Teachers as Ambassadors

for Social Change• Technology & Society:

PROMISE CHANCE• Technology & Society:

PROMISE ENGINEERING

Spring2013TLCs• Artists as Agents for

Change

percent of faculty surveyed agreed that they better understood learning communities at NIU after attending the institute

100


Funding Partnerships

College of Health & Human Sciences$375

$500 University Honors

College of LiberalArts and Sciences$927

Experiential learning opportunities help our students connect what they are learning in the classroom to the real world through campus, community and regional events, speakers, study sessions, and more. These out-of-class experiences take advantage of NIU’s location by drawing on the local community, Chicago, the Chicago suburbs, and numerous other regional treasures.

TLCsBeyondtheClassroom

TLC faculty, instructors, and staff at Spring 2013 Faculty Institute

Field trip to National Veteran’s Art Museum

Field trip to Kishwaukee Hospital

Students attend study sessions

• Conflict&Creativity: Impact ofWar onArt:Toured the prestigious NationalVeteransArtMuseum in Chicago, Illinois

• CulturalIntersectionsofMusicandLiterature: Traveled to the LyricOperaofChicago to attend a dress rehearsal for Simon Boccanegra

• Exploring Health Majors: Visited Kishwaukee Hospital in DeKalb, Illinois to learn about the use of medical imaging equiment

• TeachersasAmbassadorsofSocialChange: Explored the DuSableMuseumofAfricanAmericanHistory

Field Trips

Weekly Study SessionsStudents participating in TLCs also have the opportunity to attend weekly study sessions led by their Peer Leader. These sessions provide academic support and assist students as they transition to college coursework.


Fall 2012 marked the beginning of a bold journey to transform the student learning experience and to make learning better in large enrollment undergraduate courses at Northern Illinois University. The Course Transformation Project (CTP) assists faculty in redesign, implementation, and assessment to increase student opportunities for experiential learning.

• CTPFellows were selected in spring of 2012 and spent the 2012-13 academic year transforming a 16 week large lecture course to be taught in Fall of 2013

• CTP-LiteFellows were selected in spring of 2013 and worked throughout summer 2013 to transform a unit of their course, also taught in Fall 2013

CourseTransformationProject

Students work on group project during CTP classtime

14 CTP courses

6 Peer Leaders

1060 total students enrolled in CTP courses


transformed CTP courses6 students enrolled678 CTP

transformed CTP-Lite courses8 students enrolled383 CTP

-LiteStudents work on group project during CTP classtime

ChuckDowning: Intro to Business Information Systems

YasuoIto: Acoustics, Music and Hearing

SheelaVemu: Human BiologySibelKusimba: Rise of CivilizationsEricJones: World to 1500DouglasWallace: Intro to

Psychology

CTPFellows

Dr. Downing interacting with students

PSYC 102 students work on case study

Guest performance lectures on acoustics

average number of students enrolled in each CTP/CTP-Lite course in Fall 2013140

LyleW.Marschand: PhysicsAndersLinner: Finite MathematicsJimmieManning: Intro to

CommunicationWinifredCreamer: Mysteries of

ArchaeologyAmandaLittauer: Women, Sex,

and Gender TodayJasonHanna: Contemporary Moral

IssuesWilliamMcCoy: Spiritually-

Centered LeadershipMeredithAyers&Wendell

Johnson: Introduction to Informatoin Literacy

CTP-LiteFellows


UNDERGRADUATERESEARCH

Students conducting undergraduateresearch at NIU are able to gain relevant skills while expanding their opportunities both academically and professionally. OSEEL provides several venues for undergraduate research with certain departments and schools also offering additional programs.

Students can begin hands-on, faculty mentored research as early as freshmen year with the Huskie Research Rookies program and have an array of opportunities throughout the course of their undergraduate years. Programs such as Undergraduate Special Opportunities in Artistry & Research (USOAR) or Undergraduate Research Assistantships (URA) are open to all undergraduate students with a drive to pursue original ideas.

Allowing students to share their efforts in Research & Artistry with the NIU campus and community is an important part in the research process.The annual Undergraduate Research & Artistry Day (URAD) showcases the achievments of our students and their research at NIU.

• In 2012-13, more than 250 faculty mentors provided guidance to undergraduate researchers participating in OSEEL programs.

• Since 2010, close to 1,000 students have participated in OSEEL research opportunies.

• Students participated in faculty-mentored, student-driven research on NIU’s campus, in the community, and internationally.

Connecting Classroom to real life

Total # of students participating in undergraduate research experiences


UNDERGRADUATERESEARCH

Huskie Research Rookies links students with faculty mentors in their major or area of interest to conduct a small-scale research project. Research Rookies are highly motivated students that conduct 5-10 hours of research each week. Research Rookies develop a research proposal, conduct faculty-mentored research, and present at URAD in April.

The Research Rookies program allows students to connect with one another as well as with supportive faculty and staff. Faculty mentors working with Research Rookies include Deans, Department Chairs, Board of Trustees Professors, Presidential Research Professors, Professors, Associate Professors, and Assistant Professors.

Research Rookie cohort for 2012-2013 academic year

Breakdown of Research Rookies by college

38 Research Rookies

3.7 average high school GPA

25 average ACT score

ResearchRookies


colleges have Research Rookies conducting faculty-mentored research5

departmentsare represented by this year’s Research Rookie cohort20

ContinuingResearchRookies

WayneDuerkes, HistoryMentor: Bradley Bond

CourtneyHalas, Clinical Laboratory Sciences

Mentor: Nina Mounts

DanJeffries, BiochemistryMentor: Narayan Hosmane

GuadalupeLopez, Elementary EducationMentor: Katherine Brosier

NoemiRodriguez, Pre-Nursing Mentor: Sally Conklin

CollinThompson, AccountancyMentor: Brad Cripe

JoshuaNixon, Energy & Environmental TechMentor: Melissa Lenczewski

ElaineRodriguez, Pre-Physical TherapyMentor: Mary Jo Blaschak

GarrettWise, PhysicsMentors: Zhili Xiao & Yasuo Ito

Research Rookies geocaching around campus

NewResearchRookies

HectorAlvarado, Chemistry/BiochemistryMentor: Narayan Hosmane

GabrielaArriaga, PhysicsMentor: Zhili Xiao

ChrisBurkett, Special EducationMentors: Toni Van Laarhoven & Jeff Chan

NatalieCincotta, History Mentors: Heide Fehrenbach & Vera Lind

IsabelContreras, NursingMentor: Donna Plonczynski

EricCuevas , TechnologyMentor: Theodore Hogan

Kyle Mondron, Mason Hayward, Miguelangel Marchan, Josh Stevens, Haley Inboden, & Bailey Rhoads


SharenyMota, Pre-Physical TherapyMentor: Greg Long

AsimMuhammad, Chemistry/BiochemistryMentor: Marc Adler

BaileyRhoads, Biological SciencesMentor: Sherine Elsawa

LarissaRoot, Biological SciencesMentor: Neil Blackstone

LorenaRosiles, PsychologyMentor: David Valentiner

HannahSavage, Biological SciencesMentor: Linda Yasui

JustinSbeih, PsychologyMentor: Holly Orcutt

JoshuaStevens, PhysicsMentor: Carol Thompson

KristenStoicescu, Biological SciencesMentor: Leslie Matuszewich

JesslynTruesdale, SociologyMentor: Kirk Miller

EliseWaite, Environmental StudiesMentor: Kendall Thu

LexieWilliams, NursingMentor: Dr. Donna Plonczynski

JacobFerguson, AccountancyMentor: Pamela Smith

KiranjitGill, Political ScienceMentor: Artermus Ward

CarolinaGusciara, Clinical Laboratory Sciences

Mentor: Masih Shokrani

GarrettHall, EnglishMentor: Scott Balcerzak

MasonHayward, PhysicsMentor: David Hedin

HaleyInboden, Electrical EngineeringMentor: Sen-Maw Kuo

JacobLawrence, HistoryMentor: J.D. Bowers

JoshuaLazenby, Electrical EngineeringMentor: Venumadhav Korampally

MiguelangelMarchan, Electrical Engineering

Mentor: Mansour Tahernezhadi

CierriaMcPerryman, Public HealthMentor: Kristen Myers

KyleMondron, Chemistry/BiochemistryMentor: Narayan Hosmane

NewResearchRookies,Cont.

Research Rookies geocaching around campus

SimmonsScholars

Kyle Mondron, Mason Hayward, Miguelangel Marchan, Josh Stevens, Haley Inboden, & Bailey Rhoads

Named after Jaymie and Harry Simmon whose gift provides scholarship and program support for students in STEM or health fields, Simmons Scholars are awarded this honor for their academic performance and commitment to the Research Rookies program.


hoursof research were conducted by URAs8,550

The Undergraduate Research Assistantship (URA) program provides opportunities for undergraduate students to work on faculty mentored research. The URA program supports approximately 15-20 students during each semester and is available year round, with students conducting research in the fall, spring, and summer.

Undergraduate Research Assistants are able to work 10 hours per week under the guidance of a faculty member in a position that is directly related to their career path and/or academic discipline.

UndergraduateResearchAssistantships

studentsparticipated in the URA program in the 2012-13 academic year57

UndergraduateResearchApprenticeshipProgram

The Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program (URAP) is funded through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) Dean’s Office. URAP supports undergraduate students in CLAS that conduct faculty-mentored research projects during the fall and spring semester.

This year, for the first time, OSEEL is coordinating the URAP program on behalf of CLAS. As of spring 2013, OSEEL took responsibility for the program marketing, application process, communcation with faculty and students, program evaluations, and assessment of URAP.


UndergraduateSpecialOpportunitiesinArtistry&Research

Ron Leonhardt interacts with elephant in Kandal, Cambodia

The Undergraduate Special Opportunities in Artistry and Research (USOAR) program provides funding for student-generated research projects. Students participating in the USOAR program complete their research and artistry projects on NIU’s campus, in the local community, nationally, or internationally.

Faculty mentors included presidential research professors, department chairs, professors, associate professors, assistant professors, and instructors.

31 students

20 majors

8 students traveled abroad to conduct research

awardedto students to conduct artistry and research projects$50,000


StevenBoi- Professional PhysicsProton Computer Tomography (pCT)Faculty Mentor: David Hedin

NatalieCincotta- HistoryHistory and Photography: German Photos from the Eastern Front (1933-1945)Faculty Mentor: Heide Fehrenbach

WayneDuerkes- HistoryThe Development of the Market in the Lower Fox River Valley Region, 1833-1853Faculty Mentor: Brad Bond

BrianKeefe- Biological ScienceUse of Local Illinois Microalgae Species to Treat Wastewater and Local BiofuelsFaculty Mentor: Gabriel Holbrook

RonLeonhardt- History & International Relations The Rise of the Khmer Rouge: An Archival ExplorationFaculty Mentor: Judy Ledgerwood

TaylorNicholas- Biological ScienceEffects of Climate Change on Cereals Studied with Next Generation DNA SequencingFaculty Mentor: Melvin Duvall

ScottSmith- Biological ScienceCharacterization and Identification of an Unknown Gram-Positive BacteriumFaculty Mentor: R. Meganathan

BroganBennett- KinesiologyNIU Hockey Exercise and Metabolic Variable TestingFaculty Mentor: Amanda Salacinski

MichaelDhesse- Athletic TrainingAn Investigation of the Development and Implementation of Emergency Action Plans in Secondary School Athletic ProgramsFaculty Mentor: William Pitney

CrystalGulledge & NicolePomerleau-Special EducationComparison of Universally-Designed Prompting System and Video Modeling on the Independent PerformanceFaculty Mentor: Toni Van Laarhoven

GuadalupeLopez- PsychologyFactors Influencing the Psychological Well-Being of Undocumented Latino College StudentsFaculty Mentor: Laura Pittman

CollegeofEducation

USOARRecipients

ZachGriffith&MatthewDurning- Manufacturing Engineering TechnologyNIU Supermileage Chassis USOAR Grant ProposalFaculty Mentor: David Schroeder

AdamKrejci&DavidBeamish-Electrical EngineeringElectronically Tunable Continuous Variable TransmissionFaculty Mentor: Brianno Coller

ShaneNagel- Mechanical EngineeringBrendanMertens- Electrical EngineeringDanielFlynn- Mechanical EngineeringMattMicheli- Biomedical EngineeringSAE Aero DesignFaculty Mentor: Nicholas Pohlman

CollegeofEngineering&EngineeringTechnology

GabrielaRodriquez- Communicative Disorders Proposing a Method of Efficacy Research for Corrective Babbling During a Medical Humanitarian MissionFaculty Mentor: Miriam van Mersbergen

IshaVaishampayan- Communicative Disorders Parental Views of EARTHSPEAK Treatment After TherapyFaculty Mentor: Danai Fannin

CollegeofHealth&HumanSciences,Cont.

CollegeofLiberalArts&Sciences

CollegeofHealth&HumanSciencesMichelleCampbell- Clinical Laboratory Science Assessment of Intake of Cinnamon Supplements on Hemoglobin A1c LevelsFaculty Mentor: Masih Shokrani


ResearchTravelScholarships

Indiana University Animal Behaviour Conference in Bloomington, IN• AshleyDotson• RachelSchultz

Science, Technology and Diversity for a Health World in Seattle, WA• NoemiRodriguez• ElaineRodriguez• GuadalupeLopez

Society for Research in Child Development in Seattle, WA• KaydeMerrell• VictoriaYopst• DaniellePaoli• JonathanLopez• AshleyClemons• MeganBaker• LaurenRodman• ElliottIhm• AnastasiaSkowron• HeatherFronczak

A number of students from various departments and colleges were awarded travel scholarships to attend the following conferences:

ToddJelinek- MusicTraditional and Modern Approaches to Ancient Russian and Middle-Eastern Frame DrummingFaculty Mentor: Gregory Beyer

SarahL.Knapp- 3D Studio: Sculpture Experience and Sharing theArt of Blowing Glass Faculty Mentor: Eric Fuertes

ChrisKomos- Music Education-PercussionThe Study of Tabla and North IndianHindustani MusicFaculty Mentor: Michael Mixtacki

KimberlyLein- AnthropologyHabituations and Study of Newly-Discovered Group of the Critically Endangered Greater Bamboo Lemur, Prolemur SimusFaculty Mentor: Mitchell Irwin

MariaStapleton- Art History & Anthropology Sacred Maize: Tlanalapa’sColonial Manuscript & Crucifix WorkshopFaculty Mentor: Jeff Kowalski

JaclynZimmerman- Theater Comparative British Architecture: Visual Elements of Structural DesignFaculty Mentor: Terry McClellan

CollegeofVisualandPerformingArts

CollegeofLiberalArts&Sciences,Cont.EvanWittke- Biological ScienceInvestigating LAT1 and ASCT2 Expression in Primary Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma TumorsFaculty Mentor: Barrie Bode

Gabriela Rodriguez

Maria Stapleton

Bangkok, Thailand

4th International Nursing and Midwifery Conference in Galway, Ireland• AileenScarim

ACS 245th National Meeting in New Orleans, LA• StefanieDeVlieger• VladislavSkrypai


UndergraduateResearchandArtistryDay

Total number of students participating in URAD

Undergraduate Research & Artistry Day 2013

Undergraduate Research and Artistry Day (URAD) provides students with the opportunity to present their faculty-mentored research or artistry project. Posters and presentations are judged, and prizes are awarded in two categories: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts (SSHA).

This year, over 450 people attended URAD, with 261 students presenters participating as they showcased 176 posters. 99 faculty mentors from 36 academic departments provided mentorship to students during the research and presentation process.


2013URADAwardWinnersSocial Sciences, Humanities, and Arts

CarolinaGusciara,Clinical Laboratory Sciences & Biological SciencesComparative Analysis of HIV-2 Diagnostic MethodsFaculty Mentor: Masih Shokrani

AlexisLamb,MusicDescobertas Pelo Pau y Pedra: An In-Depth Study of the Brazilian Berimbau, Its Traditional Applications, and Its Future Contemporary MusicFaculty Mentor: Gregory Beyer

GimReo,PsychologyIs Mindfulness Associated with Distress Tolerance and Child Physical Abuse Risk in a Sample of General Population Parents?Faculty Mentor: Julie Crouch

FirstPlace

SarahStuebing,Biological SciencesNew Faces: The Documentation and Analysis of Facial Expressions in Black Howler MonkeysFaculty Mentor: Leila Porter

SecondPlace

ElliotIhm,PsychologyReversing the Effects of Social Stress Through Environmental Enrichment and Exercise: An Animal ModelFaculty Mentor: Angela Grippo

ThirdPlace

BryceSommer,PsychologyTypes of Information Students Attend to When Writing Summaries of Scientific Research ArticlesFaculty Mentors: Anne Britt & Patricia Wallace

HonorableMention

NatalieCincotta, HistoryHistory and Photography: German Photos from the European Eastern Front of World War II (1939-1945)Faculty Mentors: Heide Fehrenbach & Vera Lind

People’sChoice

Natalie Cincotta, People’s Choice Winner, presents at URAD

Undergraduate Research & Artistry Day 2013


2013URADAwardWinnersScience, Technology, Engineering, and Math

Alexis Lamb and faculty mentor Gregory Beyer

First Place STEM Award Winner Justin Durancik

Attendees interacting with URAD presenter

JustinDurancik,Biological SciencesPreventing Aflatoxin Production by Chemical InterferenceFaculty Mentor: Ana Calvo

FirstPlace

BrianKeefe,Biological SciencesMicroalgae Grown in Wastewater Effluent as a Feedstock for BiodieselFaculty Mentor: Gabriel Holbrook

SecondPlace

RyanRiddel,Electrical EngineeringMechatronic Suppression of Parkinsonian TremorFaculty Mentor: Abhijit Gupta

ThirdPlace

TaylorNicolas,Biological SciencesEvolution of Cereals to Predict Responses to Climate ChangeFaculty Mentors: Melvin Duvall

HonorableMention

SabaHamid, Chemistry & BiochemistryA Comparative Analysis of the Non-Enzymatic Glycation to the Bovine Lens: A Model to Probe the Structural Alterations of the Diabetic LensFaculty Mentors: Elizabeth Gaillard & Dionne Griffin

People’sChoice

RickJeswein,Chemistry & BiochemistryISPF Inhibitors and Anti-Malarial ActivityFaculty Mentor: Timothy Hagen

FirstPlace,cont.


Dr.WilliamPitney is a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology & Physical Education College of Education

FACULTYMENTOROFTHEYEAR

Dr. Pitney’s research interests include:• Professional development• Administration and management• Professional socialization in athletic training practice settings• Athletic training education

Vice Provost Anne Birberick with Faculty Mentor of the Year Dr. William Pitney

“Dr.Pitneyis devoted to the student in every capacity. He is always striving to make the learning experience as enhanced as possible. The student is his number one priority.”

-Mentee of Dr. Pitney

Faculty mentors are nominated by their mentees participating in URAD. Candidates for the Faculty Mentor of the Year are evaluated on their ability to foster student participation in research and artistry activities, balance between advisee and nurturing critical thinking, and develop a mentoring relationship.


The Mckearn Summer Fellows Program is a distinctive summer academic enrichment and professoinal development program administered by the Provost, University Honors, and OSEEL. Supported through a gift from John and Cassandra McKearn, 10 of NIU’s top students participated in the program which emphasized three main themes: research and artistry; leadership development; and civic, social, and global engagement.

Throughout the summer the McKearn Fellows completed faculty-mentored, independent research and artistry projects. These projects were showcased at the inaugural Summer Research Symposium in August.

In addition, the McKearn Fellows attended numerous workshops, field trips, and other experiential learning opportunities focusing on three modules, as well as personal and professional development. Many NIU alumni hosted the McKearn Fellows throughout the summer.

*Program results will be presented in the 2013-14 Annual Report

10 students

12 mentors

12 excursions

McKearnSummerFellowsProgram

McKearn Summer Fellows visit President Baker and Dr. Dana Stover


ResearchExperienceforUndergraduates

SummerResearchOpportunitiesProgram

The Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) gives 10 undergraduate students at NIU the opportunity to conduct paid, faculty-mentored research during the summer months. The eight week program offers participants the chance to develop personally, academically, and professionally through a variety of workshops, field trips, and activities.

SROP provides students with the opportunity to: • Learn what research looks like in their

field of study• Learn how to write a formal research

proposal• Gain experience working alongside

talented faculty• Attend professional and academic

enrichment activities• Receive housing, meals, and a

generous stipend

*Program results will be presented in the 2013-14 Annual Report

McKearn Summer Fellows visit President Baker and Dr. Dana Stover

SROP students at the Field Museum

REU students on field trip

Student presents at symposium

In partnership with the REU grant team, OSEEL provided administrative support for NIU’s Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program. NIU’s REU program focuses on energy, environment, ethics, and economy (the 4-Es). The 8-week summer program, called Operation ETank, provides 10 non-NIU students (supported by National Science Foundation (NSF) grant funding) and 2 NIU students (supported by the Vice Provost) with the opportunity to explore the broader issue of sustainability. Students conducted research on NIU’s campus and in the community, attended excursions, and presented at the Summer Research Symposium.

10 non-NIU students

2 NIU students

6 projects


hoursof service completed in 2012-13 by the Huskie Service Scholars6366

HuskieServiceScholars

16 fellows

6 peer mentors

6 campus partners

Huskie Service Scholars plant seeds at the community garden

The Huskie Service Scholars (HSS) program strives to provide support for low-income and/or first-generation students at NIU. Fellows, who must also be in their first-year at NIU, develop peer networks and relationships with mentors as they engage in service work on campus and in the community.

HSS fellows dedicate 300 hours to service work, mentoring, reflection and training opportunities. Fellows serve with one of six cohorts, including: Student Involvement and Leadership Development; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math; Environmental Studies; Latino Resource Center; Center for Black Studies; and Student Support Services.


PCRdiscussions were led by trained facilitators42

students participated in PCR discussions700

facilitators were trained to lead PCR discussions, including 70 Community Advisors (CAs)83

The Project on Civic Reflection (PCR) helps NIU students, faculty, and staff come together to discuss and relate a piece of literature or media to their civic engagement experiences. Through the Project on Civic Reflection, NIU is able to educate both its students and faculty alike through meaningful discussion.

Students, faculty, and staff were trained to facilitate PCR discussions during two separate day-long trainings. Facilitators led discussions around impactful and often controversial topics such as service to others, racism, religion, politics, change, body image, education, the importance of voting and more.

ProjectonCivicReflection

Huskie Service Scholars plant seeds at the community garden

Students participate in a PCR discussion during MLK Week of Service


In collaboration with Illinois Campus Compact and OSEEL, the AmericCorps VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America) works on finding new ways to enhance the support of low-income and first-generation college students to ensure their success at NIU. As part of this mission, the VISTA oversees the Huskie Service Scholar program.

The VISTA also works to share the importance of college with middle school and high school first-generation students in the local community.

Current partners that the VISTA works with include Kishwaukee United Way, Sycamore School District 427, and DeKalb School District 428.

AmeriCorpsVISTA

NIU’s VISTA works with first-year students at community garden

15 faculty & staff from local school districts

75 NIU students

18 NIU faculty & staff

Outreach


students in grades 6 through 12 attended sessions run by FAST78

First-generation Aspire to Succeed Together (FAST) is a student group initiated and led by the VISTA that strives to improve college access and success among first-generation college students (FGCS) at NIU as well as in the DeKalb and Sycamore area middle schools and high schools.

The Illinois Campus Compact-VISTA and FAST members visit these schools to provide college readiness information with future FGCS. At these visits, students are presented with activities and materials that will both engage them and have a positive impact on their educational career.

Current partners of the FAST group include five schools from School Districts 427 & 428 and the NIU Latino Resource Center peer mentoring program, Creando Caminos, at Huntley Middle school.

First-GenerationAspiretoSucceedTogether(FAST)

NIU’s VISTA works with first-year students at community garden

facultyandstaff from School Districts 427 and 428 collaborated with FAST11

participants from NIU make up the FAST student group19


GraduateSchoolPreparation

111 students attended the fall and spring GSPS

77 participated in the GRE Basics workshops

20 total sessions provided

percent of students surveyed felt more prepared for graduate school after attending a seminar or workshop

99

The Graduate School Preparation Seminar (GSPS) is hosted twice a year in October and February. GSPS aims to provide undergraduates with information about the process of applying to graduate school, with the goal of increasing the number of students that apply for graduate school.

The seminar gave students the opportunity to speak with educators about popular programs, admissions requirements, and financial aid options.

GraduateSchoolPreprationSeminar

GREBasicsWorkshopThe GRE Basics Workshop offers two weeks oo workshops focused on helping students become familiar with the Graduate Records Exam (GRE). Each of the sessions reviews a different section of the GRE, from introducing students to the test itself to sessions on verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and writing.

GRE Basics is also provided twice during the academic year, and is facilitated by knowledgable graduate or PhD students from NIU.


NorthernLightAmbassadors

NLAs interact with campus partners during the Fall Reception

OSEEL, along with the Office of Student Academic Success, coordinates the Northern Lights Ambassadors (NLA) program. NLAs are a select group of students chosen based on their academic leadership and excellence, as well as involvement in engaged learning activities.

NLAs represent their respective colleges on campus and in the community, and focus on promoting increased retention, engaged learning, fund development, public relations, outreach, and special events.

Throughout the past year, NLAs were present in the President’s Tent at home football games, represented their colleges at open houses, and passed out ribbons during Huskies Say Thanks to increase donor awareness on campus.

NLAs have gone on to become:• Lincoln Laureates• REU participants• USOAR recipients• Forward, Together, Forward scholars• NCUR presenters


Over the past year, representatives from OSEEL have participated in multiple conferences centered around “engaged learning” allowing OSEEL staff to connect with colleges and universities around the country.

Multiple OSEEL staff members presented on current OSEEL/NIU initiatives at these local and national conferences, in addition to attending sessions on student engagement trends. Some of these conferences included:

Engaged Learning Conferences

• Martinez, L. (Feb. 2013). Partnering with VISTA. Civic Learning and Community Engagement Conference. Illinois Campus Compact. Naperville, IL.

• Spears, J. (Sept. 2012). Encouraging academic exploration through undergraduate research experiences. Academic Advising Summit. Northern Illinois University. DeKalb, IL.

• Spears, J. & Birberick, A. (Feb. 2013). Need a Little TLC?: Developing Integrated Learning through Themed Learning Communities. General Education and Assessment: A Sea Change in Student Learning. AAC&U Network for Academic Renewal Conference. Boston, MA.

• Spears, J. & Castle, N. (Feb. 2013). Civic Mindedness and Civic Engagement at NIU. Civic Learning and Community Engagement Conference. Illinois Campus Compact. Naperville, IL.

• Spears, J. & Castle, N. (April 12, 2013). Community Leadership Democratic Engagement Investment Plan 2012-2013. American Association of Colleges and Universities CLDE Action Collaborative. Chicago, IL. http://www.aacu.org/civic_learning/documents/CACtedtalks.pdf

• Spears, J. & Hart, M. (June, 2013). Establishing an Undergraduate Research Center: Bottom up, Top down, Inside out. Windows of Opportunity: Undergraduate Research Conference. Council on Undergraduate Research. Orange, CA.

• Spears, J. & Zobac, S. (April 5, 2013). Recruiting, Training and Supporting Faculty. 2013 Best Practices Symposium. Consortium for Illinois Learning Communities. DeKalb, IL

• Spears, J. & Zobac, S. (Nov. 8-10). Served as moderators. National Learning Communities Conference. Indianapolis, IN.

• Tripodi, R., Wilkinson, A., Harris, J. (June, 2013). Growing a Community of Undergraduate Scholars to Strengthen Undergraduate Research Programs. Windows of Opportunity: Undergraduate Research Conference. Council on Undergraduate Research. Orange, CA.

• Tripodi, R., Zobac, S., & Sikes, L. (September 12, 2012). Layered Mentoring: Utilizing Peer Mentors in First-Year Co-Curricular Programming. Midwest First-Year Experience Conference 2012. DeKalb, IL.

• Zobac, S. & Spears, J. (April 5, 2013). Three Course, One Theme: Developing Integrative Assignments for TLCs. 2013 Best Practices Symposium. Consortium for Illinois Learning Communities poster presentation. DeKalb, IL.


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Julia Spears, Ph.D. DirectorRachel Tripodi, M.S. Assistant DirectorStephanie Zobac, M.Ed. Assistant Director

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