Over 45% of NIU students started their education at a community college!   That’s an impressive number.  We’re very proud of these students, because they come from some of the best community colleges in the U.S.  Even better, they do extremely well at NIU.  With 20 community college districts, our region provides tremendous opportunities for people who want to begin a college education or train for a new career close to home.

With your needs in mind, we are expanding access to NIU’s bachelor’s degree-completion programs.  Our goal is to increase the locations where you can begin and complete an undergraduate degree close to home.

Our partnerships with community colleges help develop local support for students and employees who want more education.  Historically, students lived and studied at college for four years.  Times have changed!  People now complete undergraduate education at times and places that complement their lives, their family, and their work schedules.  We’re doing our part to give you new options.

I invite you to check out our Community College Partnerships webpage or to give me a call for more information.  I can be reached at 815-753-9677 or at pcrawford@niu.edu.

Find out what we’re offering, and where it’s being offered!

Thanks,

Paul Crawford

Universities across Illinois formed an alliance offering homeland security courses for students enrolled in any participating university. If you’re enrolled at one of these Alliance universities, you now have the opportunity to gain homeland security skills and disaster preparedness training from expert faculty members across Illinois.

Here’s a list of participating universities:

• Chicago State University
• Eastern Illinois University
• Governors State University
• Illinois State University
• Northern Illinois University
• Southern Illinois University at Carbondale
• Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
• Western Illinois University

If you are admitted to any of these schools you can take approved IDEA courses from any of the other institutions. Check out the list of classes by visiting www.illinoisideahs.org.

Amanda

My NIU is a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system that integrates all of the “business” processes and functions that NIU requires of students.  Sound confusing?  Well, all you really need to know is that you can do the following things through My NIU:

• Apply for Admissions
• View Application Status
• Review Financial Aid status
• Accept/Decline Financial Aid
• Register for classes (Add, Drop, Swap)
• View account summary
• Monitor degree progress
• View grades

My NIU is a handy system that you should get to know once you decide to apply.  For more information, visit the help page at http://www.niu.edu/myniutraining/training/student_training.shtml.
Amanda

In an effort to be organized and plan ahead, we’ve already set up our fall open houses.  Prospective students will have the opportunity to visit our off-campus locations (the same buildings where  classes are taught) and meet with program advisors about the degrees and certificates we offer in each location.

• NIU Naperville:  October 14, 2008 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
• NIU Hoffman Estates:  October 16, 2008 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.
• NIU Rockford:  October 21, 2008 from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

If you’re interested in discovering what degrees we offer and where, visit our locations and degrees pages:

Undergraduates:  http://www.niu.edu/offcampusacademics/undergrad.shtml
Graduates:  http://www.niu.edu/offcampusacademics/graduate.shtml

Amanda

Masters in Elementary Education—coming soon to Rockford!!

NIU’s Department of Teaching and Learning now offers a Masters in Elementary Education in the Rockford area.  This program will begin spring of 2009.  It is likely that courses will be held at NIU Rockford, though all the logistics are still being ironed out.

Courses will be offered on Wednesday evenings. 

If you’d like more information, let me know.  Or, you can attend the information session scheduled on September 24th at NIU Rockford from 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Apply by November 2008.
Start classes Spring of 2009.

Amanda