Northeastern Illinois University has been selected as a member of the 2016-17 Lead Initiative as a Lead Advisory Institution by NASPA - Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, the leading voice for the student affairs profession. This is the fifth year Northeastern has been selected to participate but the first as an advisory institution.
As a participating institution in NASPA’s initiative on civic learning and democratic engagement, Northeastern has committed to being a leader among American universities in encouraging students’ civic development through thoughtful community partnerships, engaging leadership opportunities and democratic participation.
“Northeastern Illinois University is thrilled to participate in NASPA’s network of institutions dedicated to developing students’ sense of civic identity,” Vice President for Student Affairs Daniel López said. “Our selection is a reflection of the quality of our commitment to inspiring students to take on leadership and service roles.”
In its role as an advisory institution, Northeastern will participate on NASPA’s Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement (CLDE) Advisory Board to NASPA’s president and vice president for professional development. The University also will provide advice and direction for professional development and the future development of NASPA's CLDE efforts.
“We are honored to be selected as a CLDE Lead Advisory Institution,” Senior Director for Academic and Community Partnerships Kris Pierre said. “It’s a tribute to the work being done by students, faculty and staff across all of Northeastern’s locations to develop meaningful partnerships with our many community partners.”
Civic leadership and engagement are embedded in a variety of ways in the Northeastern Student Affairs strategic plan. Some specific successes are:
- Selected by the American Democracy Project as one of approximately 30 higher education institutions to participate in the Economic Inequality Initiative. Northeastern’s Division of Student Affairs is partnering with the College of Arts and Sciences to link in-classroom and out-of-classroom learning experiences to help students think about and take action to confront the complex causes of growing economic inequality.
- 2015 Tree Campus USA recognition by the Arbor Day Foundation for the University’s commitment to effective urban forest management.
- The NEIUGround partnership with the Peterson Garden Project.
- Ranked 19th in the country with voter registration as of July 2016 among over 200 TurboVote campuses.
- The TurboVote initiative to promote voter engagement among students.
- Awarded a grant by the Illinois Campus Compact and the McCormick Foundation to support electoral engagement and voter participation in 2016-17.
- National days of service including 9/11, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Cesar Chavez Day.
- Alternative spring break programs sponsored by Student Leadership Development.
- Participated in a national study in 2014 sponsored by the American Democracy Project.
- Opened a Student Pantry in Fall 2015 to support students experiencing food insecurity.
- Participation in the Higher Education Civic Engagement Collaborative of Chicago, a coalition of colleges and universities in the greater Chicago area that works with communities and government agencies to build networks for action based on the best knowledge and experience available.
- Membership in America’s Urban Campus (AUC), a consortium of 22 of Chicago’s largest not-for-profit higher education institutions that work together to enhance the image of Chicago as a global destination for higher education and build upon the strength of its member institutions as Chicago’s economic and social drivers.
Pictured above: Volunteers pose during Arbor Day activities on April 28, 2016.
