Reflecting on her 27-year career at Northeastern Illinois University thus far and remarking on the future she sees ahead for the institution she holds so dear, Katrina E. Bell-Jordan, Ph.D., was inaugurated as the University’s eighth president on Oct. 4.
The Inauguration Ceremony was held on the University Commons and drew a crowd of approximately 500 people. It was also live streamed on neiu.edu. The ceremony was one of several events held from Oct. 3-5 to officially celebrate the University’s new leadership.
“I am truly humbled and gratified to be installed today as the eighth president of Northeastern Illinois University,” Bell-Jordan said to those in attendance and watching remotely. She continued, “A university inauguration marks a special moment in the life of an institution, and it is an opportunity to reflect on the history of the university and to look forward to its future.”
During her address, Bell-Jordan focused on the theme of the inauguration activities, “Education, Excellence and Empowerment,” and how those three topics will shape her presidency.
- Education: “An accessible, high-quality education should be available for all students.”
- Excellence: “High-impact teaching and learning experiences are key to student retention, student success and graduation.”
- Empowerment: “Northeastern’s mission to prepare our graduates for leadership and success serves as a guidepost as we work together to support the students and communities we are privileged to serve.”
Bell-Jordan shared a number of facts about the University, including that of the institution’s more than 87,000 alumni, nearly 64,000 still reside in Illinois, with 27,000 living in Chicago.
“Think about that,” Bell-Jordan remarked while relaying the University’s alumni statistics. “That means when NEIU students are successful, their families are successful, their communities are successful, and our economy right here in Illinois is lifted up.”
The address also took a heartfelt personal direction, as Bell-Jordan shared that while her maternal grandmother was only afforded the opportunity of a sixth grade education, she was “one of the smartest and sharpest people” Bell-Jordan has ever known, and she was determined that her three daughters — which included Bell-Jordan’s mother, Katherine Bell, who was in attendance — would have access to education.
“My mother and her family's search for a better life is much like the journey of so many of our students and their families, not only to the United States and to the city of Chicago, but to NEIU as first-generation, immigrant and refugee students seeking the same kind of access and opportunity,” Bell-Jordan said. “While the immigrant and refugee journey often comes with the experience of hardship, loss and sacrifice, the search for a better life and work to build a community in their new home is the gain that inspires such sacrifice.”
Bell-Jordan’s mother and aunts, who grew up in rural Arkansas, saw education as a path to leave the segregated South. They each earned graduate degrees and became teachers in areas where students needed role models, compassion and courage. Their careers inspired Bell-Jordan, who was the first Black child to enroll in her elementary school, to center her life’s work on creating pathways for others to have access to public education.
In addition to her work at Northeastern — which began as an assistant professor in the Department of Communication, Media and Theatre (CMT) before becoming dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and serving as interim president beginning on July 1, 2023 — Bell-Jordan has served as an elected member of the Board of Education for Skokie, Illinois District 68 for the past 13 years, and is currently the board’s vice president. She is also a member of the Alumni Advisory Council of the School of Communication Studies at Ohio University, her alma mater. Bell-Jordan began serving as president of Northeastern on Aug. 1, 2024.
In addition to her mother, Bell-Jordan acknowledged her father, James; husband, Darrell; son, Bryson; along with friends, teachers, colleagues and former colleagues, who provided encouragement and support throughout her life.
The ceremony included a number of special guests, including Presidents Emeriti Sharon K. Hahs and Salme Harju Steinberg, who presented Bell-Jordan with the presidential medallion, imprinted with the University seal. The seal features a book and flame, which are traditional symbols of knowledge and enlightenment; and a skyline and a globe, which are an acknowledgement of the University’s urban setting and the involvement of the University in a global society. Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs R. Shayne Cofer, Ph.D., presented Bell-Jordan with the ceremonial orb, which is a symbol of the authority and stewardship vested in the president by the Board of Trustees. The orb is carried before the president during official University processionals and recessionals. The event was emceed by Alfonso Gutiérrez, news anchor for Telemundo Chicago. Other special guests included President of Harold Washington College and former Northeastern Vice President for Student Affairs Daniel López Jr., Executive Director and Dean of the University Center of Lake County Myra Gaytan Morales, and former Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor Emeritus of Political Science Lawrence Frank.
Many dignitaries, including U.S. Sens. Richard Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, Congresswoman and Northeastern alumna Delia Ramierz (B.A. '14 Justice Studies), Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, State Comptroller Susana Mendoza, and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson sent letters of congratulations, which were read by Northeastern double alumna and retired 39th Ward Alderman Margaret Laurino (B.A. '74 Secondary Education - History, M.A. '93 History).
Northeastern’s Board of Trustees Chair J. Todd Phillips formally invested Bell-Jordan as president, noting the Board entrusts her with “the care of the members of the University community and the responsible stewardship of the University’s resources.”
These are responsibilities Bell-Jordan takes seriously.
“It is an honor to serve as the eighth president of Northeastern Illinois University and it is with a deep sense of responsibility that I accept this leadership role,” Bell-Jordan said. She continued, “I look forward to the next chapter in NEIU’s long history of teaching, leadership and service, toward progress and prosperity, and to the success of our students and our graduates.”
Also during the Inauguration Ceremony
- The processional and recessional were performed by the University Wind Ensemble, conducted by Associate Professor of Music Travis Heath. The National Anthem was sung by Assistant Professor of Music Katherine Peteen.
- At the top of the ceremony, Northeastern students carried flags of the more than 20 countries and territories that represent the lands of origin of the University's current students, faculty and staff.
- Members of the faculty processed along with representatives of the University’s shared governance bodies.
- Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students Terry C. Mena read the University’s Land Acknowledgement statement.
- Professor of Educational Inquiry and Curriculum Studies Zada Johnson read three poems — “The Second Sermon on the Warpland,” “Speech to the Young” and “Paul Robeson” — by Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and former Northeastern Poet in Residence (1965-1968) Gwendolyn Brooks. Brooks was the Illinois poet laureate from 1968-2000.
- Student Government Association President Daniela Navarrette and Vice President Damien Orozco read the University’s six core values statements.
Inauguration Celebration Highlights
- On Oct. 3, the University held a Peace Fire Ceremony and CMT Expo on the Main Campus. Oktoberfest festivities were held on the Main Campus, El Centro and the Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies (CCICS).
- On Oct. 5, the University hosted semiformal Inauguration Celebration in Alumni Hall. A Day of Service was also held across the University and featured remarks from area politicians including 39th Ward Alderman Samantha Nugent, and community partners including Executive Director of Palanque LSNA Juliet de Jesus Alejandre. The program included guests from the Chicago Public Library, who assisted participants in signing up for library cards and passed out free books.
- As an ongoing part of the Day of Service, the University is collecting books of all kinds through Oct. 31 to donate to Open Books, a nonprofit organization that provides literacy experiences through inspiring programs and the sale of new and used donated books. Collection bins are located near the entrances of the Ronald Williams Library, the Angelina Pedroso Center for Diversity and Intercultural Affairs, El Centro and CCICS.
Top photo (left to right): Dr. R. Shayne Cofer, J. Todd Phillips, President Emeriti Sharon K. Hahs, Bryson Jordan, President Katrina E. Bell-Jordan, President Emeriti Salme Harju Steinberg and Darrell Jordan at Northeastern Illinois University's 2024 Inauguration Ceremony on Oct. 4.
