Trees in autumn color in the foreground partially obscure the Sachs Building in the background

Friday, September 11, 2020

Northeastern Illinois University’s Fall 2020 semester enrollment numbers are out, and they show great news for graduate student enrollment and freshman retention. Read more about that, plus information about a professor’s newly published book chapter and the new season for Ensemble Español in Noteworthy at Northeastern.

Around the Commons

Fall 2020 enrollment

Northeastern increased its graduate student enrollment by more than 10 percent and recorded the best fall-to-fall retention of first-time, full-time freshmen in a decade, according to the official Fall 2020 enrollment numbers. In raw numbers, graduate enrollment jumped from 1,723 students in Fall 2019 to 1,899 in Fall 2020. Meanwhile, 66.7 percent of the first-time, full-time freshmen from Fall 2019 have enrolled for Fall 2020 classes, the best rate of retention in 10 years.

Environmental history chapter

Associate Professor of History Joshua Salzmann has published a chapter titled “Blood on the Tracks: Accidental Death and the Built Environment” in a new book, “City of Lake and Prairie: Chicago's Environmental History.” Salzmann, who published his own book on the history of Chicago’s waterfront in 2017, worked with alumnus Paul Hughes (B.A. ’14 History; M.A. ’19 History) on the research for the piece. He also cited a research paper written by alumna Christina Cogswell (B.A. ’15 History), who is now a Northeastern librarian. The key source for the chapter was the Cook County Coroner's Inquest Jury reports located in the Illinois Regional Archives Depository of the Ronald Williams Library.

Ensemble Español’s 45th season

Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theatre, in residence at Northeastern, marks its 45th season from August 2020 through July 2021. The season, titled “Zafiro Flamenco (Sapphire Flamenco): New Era, New Works, New Legacies,” will feature new partnerships, new works, virtual programs plus a new $300,000 anonymous matching grant opportunity with a total potential earnings of $1 million.

And there’s more!

  • Illinois State University announced that alumni Tricia Rosado (M.A. ’12 Educational Leadership-Higher Education, who now serves as Northeastern’s acting director of Caminos al Éxito Cooperative (Title V grant), and Jorge Sanchez (M.A. ’12 Educational Leadership-Higher Education; M.B.A. ’16 Business Administration) have been named 2020 Diversifying Higher Education Faculty in Illinois fellows.

To do

NEIU Weekend

Get ready for a virtual NEIU experience for alumni, students, family and friends! Join Alumni Relations on Sept. 18 and 19 to create community and connect with fellow Golden Eagles! As part of NEIU Weekend, there will be a screening of the brand new Project Success documentary. View the schedule to register for events today.  

ChicagoCHEC community forum

The Chicago Cancer Health Equity Collaborative (ChicagoCHEC) will host its 5th Annual Community Forum. This year’s theme is Addressing Cancer Together During COVID-19: The ChicagoCHEC Partnership. The forum will take place virtually from 11 a.m-1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, and Friday, Sept. 18, via Zoom. There will be various presentations on both days, and information will be provided in English, Spanish and American Sign Language (ASL). This event is free and open to the public. ChicagoCHEC is a National Cancer Institute comprehensive cancer partnership led by the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Northeastern Illinois University, and the University of Illinois at Chicago. ChicagoCHEC’s mission is to advance cancer health equity through meaningful scientific discovery, education, training and community engagement.

Coming next week!

In the media

The past made present

Sherry Williams (B.A. ’17 University Without Walls) was featured on WGN for her research and work to get a headstone placed at the grave of Nancy Green, the original face and spokeswoman of Aunt Jemima. Green lived in Chicago for many years before her passing at the age of 89. Her headstone was officially unveiled on Sept. 5. The story was also featured on ABC, NPR, Chicago Defender and Legacy.com.  

Also in the media

Student Support Spotlight

Study Spaces

For the Fall 2020 semester, the Student Union and Ronald Williams Library offer students study spaces by reservation only. These spaces provide access to Wi-Fi, computers and copiers/scanner/printers. A color copier/scanner/printer will be available in the Ronald Williams Library only. Students may reserve a two-hour block for use of either the Student Union or Ronald Williams Library. Please note that there are limited spaces available in each building. The Ronald Williams Library continues to offer Grab & Go services for physical library items.

Student Counseling Services

Students are welcome to contact NEIU’s Student Counseling Services to set up an appointment to talk either by phone or their online platform for teletherapy. To access NEIU’s Student Counseling Services, call (773) 442-4650 or send an email to counsect@neiu.edu. The hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. After hours, students may also reach a counselor for more urgent consultation by calling the main number and pressing “2” during the outgoing message.

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