Northeastern Illinois University has established a second recent social justice award program. The Social Justice Leadership Housing Award will offer incoming freshmen and transfer students free on-campus housing at The Nest as well as opportunities to hone their leadership skills. A STEM scholarship webinar and transfer student webinar will take place this week, and alumni are doing great work in Chicago’s communities. Read about all this and more in this week’s edition of Noteworthy at Northeastern.
Around the Commons
Social Justice Leadership Housing Award
Northeastern has launched the Social Justice Leadership Housing Award for incoming freshmen and transfer students who positively impact their university, career and communities. Students participating in the program will be given one year's free housing in The Nest. “Providing free housing to eligible students while giving them the tools to make a difference in the world is a win-win situation,” President Gloria J. Gibson said. “It’s also an innovative approach to how we recruit and prepare tomorrow’s leaders.” Earlier in June, Northeastern launched the George Floyd Social Justice Scholarship as an additional avenue for Northeastern to reinforce its commitment to preparing students to promote social justice and to make a difference in their communities.
And there’s more!
- Northeastern will be closed on Friday, July 3, in observance of Independence Day.
- Professor of Political Science Ellen Cannon has been appointed to the Executive Committee of Academic Advisors to the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP).
- English Professor Timothy Barnett published an article in the PopMatters Reading Pandemics series, which is being curated by Assistant Professor Ryan Poll.
- Northeastern’s library is looking for student submissions for “Sheltering in Place: NEIU Archives COVID-19 Documentation Project.”
- Northeastern’s Bookstore is offering free ground shipping on domestic orders so students can still receive their books for courses, as well as order University-branded items such as notebooks and apparel.
- Many of Northeastern’s Community and Professional Education (CAPE) classes, including the new NEIU English Institute courses, are being offered remotely. Registration for many programs is now open.
Events at home
Though most buildings are locked, Northeastern has adapted by creating remote events.
Noyce Scholars Program webinar
Current Northeastern students who are interested in teaching traditionally underrepresented youth in the STEM fields are encouraged to attend the Virtual info session: Future teachers of science and/or math from 2-3 p.m. June 29 to learn more about the NSF Robert Noyce Scholarship. The scholarship application deadline is 11:59 p.m. July 15. Questions can be directed to Billie Kersh at b-kersh@neiu.edu or Laura West at l-west2@neiu.edu.
Transfer students application webinar
Students considering transferring to Northeastern from other schools are encouraged to attend the Virtual Presentation: Application Completion for Transfer Students from 2-3 p.m. July 1. During this online information session, Transfer Center advisors will help prospective students understand what is required to complete Fall 2020 applications and reasons to apply to Northeastern. Those who attend this virtual event will receive an application waiver. Questions about the webinar can be directed to Patricia Rodriguez at p-rodriguez@neiu.edu or (773) 442-4139.
Ensemble Español
Ensemble Executive and Associate Artistic Director Jorge Pérez appeared on the Auditorium Theatre’s #AudTalk series on June 24. This weekend, Ensemble Español will also host virtual presentations as part of the 2020 American Spanish Dance and Music Festival.
View all of Northeastern’s future events at neiu.edu/events. Please email public-relations@neiu.edu to submit events for consideration in future editions of Noteworthy at Northeastern.
In the media
- Illinois Newsroom featured two Northeastern students in its article about DACA students reflecting on the Supreme Court ruling.
- The Chicago Tribune quoted CASEP Coordinator Jeremy Babcock in an article about how the State of Illinois is working on plans to reopen schools.
Student Support Spotlight
Student Counseling Services
Students are welcome to contact NEIU’s Student Counseling Services to set up an appointment to talk, either by phone or using their online platform for video therapy. 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.
Alumni Spotlight
Food drive
Northeastern’s Alumni Association will host a drive-through food drop-off to support the University’s Student Pantry from noon-3 p.m. June 29. The pantry has altered its delivery of services due to COVID-19. Students are now able to order food online. A food donation bin has also been placed at the University Police station to collect needed items throughout this time as other drop-off locations are now closed. Monetary contributions are being collected online to support the Student Pantry and the Student Emergency Fund. Student Pantry questions may be directed to Christopher Maxwell at c-maxwell2@neiu.edu.
2020 Puerto Rican People's Parade on Paseo Boricua
The 2020 Puerto Rican People's Parade on Paseo Boricua was virtual this year, and was co-hosted by Northeastern alumna Jessie Fuentes (B.A. ’13 Justice Studies; M.A. ’18 Community and Teacher Leaders). Fuentes serves as co-chair of The Puerto Rican Agenda of Chicago.
Alumna recognized as a 2020 Leader for a New Chicago
Asiaha Butler (M.A. ‘14 Inner City Studies) has been recognized by The Field Foundation of Illinois as part of the 2020 Leaders for a New Chicago cohort. Butler is one of 11 Chicagoans to receive this year’s award, which recognizes past accomplishments in the fields of Justice, Art, or Media and Storytelling and promotes and advances a range of leaders whose influence will inform decision making across the city of Chicago. Each leader will receive a $25,000 cash award in recognition of past accomplishments, and their affiliated non-profit organizations will each receive an additional $25,000 general operating grant.
Alumni leaders
The Alumni Association has launched a webpage to share stories about the work Northeastern graduates are doing related to COVID-19. Those interested in sharing are encouraged to complete the COVID-19 Stories form.
Follow Northeastern on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Twitter! Do you have a story tip? Let the Office of Public Relations know at public-relations@neiu.edu.
