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LEARN. SERVE. RESEARCH. ENGAGE. Office of Student...
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LEARN. SERVE. RESEARCH. ENGAGE.
ANNUAL REPORT 2012-2013
Office ofStudentEngagement &ExperientialLearning
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The Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning (OSEEL) is dedicated to providing opportunities for undergraduates to engage in active learning. Through undergraduate research, service projects, Themed Learning Communities, and other high impact practices, NIU students develop critical thinking, use creativity, and employ multiple communication strategies while applying their skills to real-world problems.
As an outgrowth of the Curricular Innovations strategic plan, OSEEL works collaboratively across university divisions and colleges to create student-centered, research-based programming which utilizes experiential learning, both in and out of the classroom, to promote and sustain student success.
Through a variety of High Impact Practices students engaged in faculty-mentored experiential learning:
• Over 300 first-year students participated in Themed Learning Communities
• 402 students engaged in undergraduate research• 6,000 hours of service were completed by Huskie Service Scholars• More than 100 students attended graduate school preparation
workshops• Over 100 faculty mentors and instructors engaged students in and out
of the classroom
Our focus this past year has been on growing our programs to provide more opportunities for students to learn, serve, research, and engage in the classroom, on campus, and in the community.
Each of our programs align directly with the eight student learning outcomes of the Baccalaureate Review as we seek to enhance the cognitive, social, and academic skills of our students to prepare them to be life-long learners and responsible citizens in our ever-changing, global society.
Go Huskies!
Julia Spears, PhDAssociate Vice Provost for Engaged LearningDirector, Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning
FROMTHEDIRECTOR
OFFICE OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING 2012-2013 3
LEARN. SERVE. RESEARCH. ENGAGE.
Curricular Initiatives Themed Learning Communities 4 Course Transformation Project 8Research Research Rookies 11 Undergraduate Research Assistantship 14 Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program 14 UG Special Opportunities in Artistry & Research 15 Research Travel Scholarships Awarded 17 Undergraduate Research & Artistry Day 18 Faculty Mentor of the Year 21 McKearn Summer Fellows Program 22 Summer Research Opportunities Program 23 Research Experience for Undergraduates 23Civic Engagement Huskie Service Scholars 24 Project on Civic Reflection 24 VISTA 26 First-Generation Aspire to Succeed Together 27OSEEL Initiatives Graduate School Preparation 28 Northern Light Ambassadors 29 Engaged Learning Conferences 30 Our Partners 31
ANNUAL REPORT 2012-2013
Office of Student Engagement & Experiential Learning
OSEEL Staff with President Douglas Baker
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Themed Learning Communities (TLCs) give students the opportunity to engage deeply with a course theme; connect learning across courses in collaborative and active ways; develop relationships with peers, faculty, and Peer Leaders; and, ease the transition into college.
14 TLCs
307 students
525 class sessions
Business & Society Themed Learning Community
• Co-enroll in small courses with 25 students or fewer
• Explore a common theme integrated throughout assignments, readings, and activities
• Upper-class Peer Leaders support social and academic transition
• Hands-on learning through field trips, speakers, and more
• TLC instructors receive additional professional development opportunities and a stipend
TheImpactofaLittleTLC
Retention rates of first-year students from fall 2012 to fall 2013
*
*Stratisfied random sample based on admissions criteria to match TLC students
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13 Peer Leaders
250 hours of study sessions
6000 interactions with TLC students
PeerLeadersProvideExtraTLC
TLC Peer Leaders complete water bottle project during Peer Leader Training
Each TLC has a Peer Leader to assist TLC students with course work and acclimating to the University setting. Peer Leaders attend at least one TLC class each week, attend a staff meeting with OSEEL, and host at least one study session and/or community building activity each week.
In addition, Peer Leaders benefit from working with a TLC as they:
• Develop leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Attend professional development workshops
• Network and build relationships with faculty, staff, peers, and TLC students
Cumulative second semester GPA for first-year students entering in Fall 2012
**Stratisfied random sample based on admissions criteria to match TLC students
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percent of faculty surveyed strongly agreed that they felt connected to their TLC team after attending the institute
91
TLCFacultyInstitute
The TLC Faculty Institute is a two day training institute that provides support to TLC teams as they develop their theme, integrative assignments, experiential learning opportunities, and communication strategies.
49TLCinstructorsandstaffreceived instruction from OSEEL and a keynote speaker who also assists in the facilitation of subsequent workshops and team time.
TLC faculty, instructors, and staff at Spring 2013 Faculty Institute
Fall2012TLCs• Business & Society• Calculus I & Physics for
Engineers• Competing Global
Perspectives• Conflict & Creativity: Impact
of War on Art• Cultural Intersections of
Music and Literature• Developing Champions• Exploring Health Majors• Law School & You• Major Exploration• Psychology: Explorations of
Perception• Teachers as Ambassadors
for Social Change• Technology & Society:
PROMISE CHANCE• Technology & Society:
PROMISE ENGINEERING
Spring2013TLCs• Artists as Agents for
Change
percent of faculty surveyed agreed that they better understood learning communities at NIU after attending the institute
100
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Funding Partnerships
College of Health & Human Sciences$375
$500 University Honors
College of LiberalArts and Sciences$927
Experiential learning opportunities help our students connect what they are learning in the classroom to the real world through campus, community and regional events, speakers, study sessions, and more. These out-of-class experiences take advantage of NIU’s location by drawing on the local community, Chicago, the Chicago suburbs, and numerous other regional treasures.
TLCsBeyondtheClassroom
TLC faculty, instructors, and staff at Spring 2013 Faculty Institute
Field trip to National Veteran’s Art Museum
Field trip to Kishwaukee Hospital
Students attend study sessions
• Conflict&Creativity: Impact ofWar onArt:Toured the prestigious NationalVeteransArtMuseum in Chicago, Illinois
• CulturalIntersectionsofMusicandLiterature: Traveled to the LyricOperaofChicago to attend a dress rehearsal for Simon Boccanegra
• Exploring Health Majors: Visited Kishwaukee Hospital in DeKalb, Illinois to learn about the use of medical imaging equiment
• TeachersasAmbassadorsofSocialChange: Explored the DuSableMuseumofAfricanAmericanHistory
Field Trips
Weekly Study SessionsStudents participating in TLCs also have the opportunity to attend weekly study sessions led by their Peer Leader. These sessions provide academic support and assist students as they transition to college coursework.
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Fall 2012 marked the beginning of a bold journey to transform the student learning experience and to make learning better in large enrollment undergraduate courses at Northern Illinois University. The Course Transformation Project (CTP) assists faculty in redesign, implementation, and assessment to increase student opportunities for experiential learning.
• CTPFellows were selected in spring of 2012 and spent the 2012-13 academic year transforming a 16 week large lecture course to be taught in Fall of 2013
• CTP-LiteFellows were selected in spring of 2013 and worked throughout summer 2013 to transform a unit of their course, also taught in Fall 2013
CourseTransformationProject
Students work on group project during CTP classtime
14 CTP courses
6 Peer Leaders
1060 total students enrolled in CTP courses
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transformed CTP courses6 students enrolled678 CTP
transformed CTP-Lite courses8 students enrolled383 CTP
-LiteStudents work on group project during CTP classtime
ChuckDowning: Intro to Business Information Systems
YasuoIto: Acoustics, Music and Hearing
SheelaVemu: Human BiologySibelKusimba: Rise of CivilizationsEricJones: World to 1500DouglasWallace: Intro to
Psychology
CTPFellows
Dr. Downing interacting with students
PSYC 102 students work on case study
Guest performance lectures on acoustics
average number of students enrolled in each CTP/CTP-Lite course in Fall 2013140
LyleW.Marschand: PhysicsAndersLinner: Finite MathematicsJimmieManning: Intro to
CommunicationWinifredCreamer: Mysteries of
ArchaeologyAmandaLittauer: Women, Sex,
and Gender TodayJasonHanna: Contemporary Moral
IssuesWilliamMcCoy: Spiritually-
Centered LeadershipMeredithAyers&Wendell
Johnson: Introduction to Informatoin Literacy
CTP-LiteFellows
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UNDERGRADUATERESEARCH
Students conducting undergraduateresearch at NIU are able to gain relevant skills while expanding their opportunities both academically and professionally. OSEEL provides several venues for undergraduate research with certain departments and schools also offering additional programs.
Students can begin hands-on, faculty mentored research as early as freshmen year with the Huskie Research Rookies program and have an array of opportunities throughout the course of their undergraduate years. Programs such as Undergraduate Special Opportunities in Artistry & Research (USOAR) or Undergraduate Research Assistantships (URA) are open to all undergraduate students with a drive to pursue original ideas.
Allowing students to share their efforts in Research & Artistry with the NIU campus and community is an important part in the research process.The annual Undergraduate Research & Artistry Day (URAD) showcases the achievments of our students and their research at NIU.
• In 2012-13, more than 250 faculty mentors provided guidance to undergraduate researchers participating in OSEEL programs.
• Since 2010, close to 1,000 students have participated in OSEEL research opportunies.
• Students participated in faculty-mentored, student-driven research on NIU’s campus, in the community, and internationally.
Connecting Classroom to real life
Total # of students participating in undergraduate research experiences
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UNDERGRADUATERESEARCH
Huskie Research Rookies links students with faculty mentors in their major or area of interest to conduct a small-scale research project. Research Rookies are highly motivated students that conduct 5-10 hours of research each week. Research Rookies develop a research proposal, conduct faculty-mentored research, and present at URAD in April.
The Research Rookies program allows students to connect with one another as well as with supportive faculty and staff. Faculty mentors working with Research Rookies include Deans, Department Chairs, Board of Trustees Professors, Presidential Research Professors, Professors, Associate Professors, and Assistant Professors.
Research Rookie cohort for 2012-2013 academic year
Breakdown of Research Rookies by college
38 Research Rookies
3.7 average high school GPA
25 average ACT score
ResearchRookies
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colleges have Research Rookies conducting faculty-mentored research5
departmentsare represented by this year’s Research Rookie cohort20
ContinuingResearchRookies
WayneDuerkes, HistoryMentor: Bradley Bond
CourtneyHalas, Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Mentor: Nina Mounts
DanJeffries, BiochemistryMentor: Narayan Hosmane
GuadalupeLopez, Elementary EducationMentor: Katherine Brosier
NoemiRodriguez, Pre-Nursing Mentor: Sally Conklin
CollinThompson, AccountancyMentor: Brad Cripe
JoshuaNixon, Energy & Environmental TechMentor: Melissa Lenczewski
ElaineRodriguez, Pre-Physical TherapyMentor: Mary Jo Blaschak
GarrettWise, PhysicsMentors: Zhili Xiao & Yasuo Ito
Research Rookies geocaching around campus
NewResearchRookies
HectorAlvarado, Chemistry/BiochemistryMentor: Narayan Hosmane
GabrielaArriaga, PhysicsMentor: Zhili Xiao
ChrisBurkett, Special EducationMentors: Toni Van Laarhoven & Jeff Chan
NatalieCincotta, History Mentors: Heide Fehrenbach & Vera Lind
IsabelContreras, NursingMentor: Donna Plonczynski
EricCuevas , TechnologyMentor: Theodore Hogan
Kyle Mondron, Mason Hayward, Miguelangel Marchan, Josh Stevens, Haley Inboden, & Bailey Rhoads
OFFICE OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING 2012-2013 13
SharenyMota, Pre-Physical TherapyMentor: Greg Long
AsimMuhammad, Chemistry/BiochemistryMentor: Marc Adler
BaileyRhoads, Biological SciencesMentor: Sherine Elsawa
LarissaRoot, Biological SciencesMentor: Neil Blackstone
LorenaRosiles, PsychologyMentor: David Valentiner
HannahSavage, Biological SciencesMentor: Linda Yasui
JustinSbeih, PsychologyMentor: Holly Orcutt
JoshuaStevens, PhysicsMentor: Carol Thompson
KristenStoicescu, Biological SciencesMentor: Leslie Matuszewich
JesslynTruesdale, SociologyMentor: Kirk Miller
EliseWaite, Environmental StudiesMentor: Kendall Thu
LexieWilliams, NursingMentor: Dr. Donna Plonczynski
JacobFerguson, AccountancyMentor: Pamela Smith
KiranjitGill, Political ScienceMentor: Artermus Ward
CarolinaGusciara, Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Mentor: Masih Shokrani
GarrettHall, EnglishMentor: Scott Balcerzak
MasonHayward, PhysicsMentor: David Hedin
HaleyInboden, Electrical EngineeringMentor: Sen-Maw Kuo
JacobLawrence, HistoryMentor: J.D. Bowers
JoshuaLazenby, Electrical EngineeringMentor: Venumadhav Korampally
MiguelangelMarchan, Electrical Engineering
Mentor: Mansour Tahernezhadi
CierriaMcPerryman, Public HealthMentor: Kristen Myers
KyleMondron, Chemistry/BiochemistryMentor: Narayan Hosmane
NewResearchRookies,Cont.
Research Rookies geocaching around campus
SimmonsScholars
Kyle Mondron, Mason Hayward, Miguelangel Marchan, Josh Stevens, Haley Inboden, & Bailey Rhoads
Named after Jaymie and Harry Simmon whose gift provides scholarship and program support for students in STEM or health fields, Simmons Scholars are awarded this honor for their academic performance and commitment to the Research Rookies program.
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hoursof research were conducted by URAs8,550
The Undergraduate Research Assistantship (URA) program provides opportunities for undergraduate students to work on faculty mentored research. The URA program supports approximately 15-20 students during each semester and is available year round, with students conducting research in the fall, spring, and summer.
Undergraduate Research Assistants are able to work 10 hours per week under the guidance of a faculty member in a position that is directly related to their career path and/or academic discipline.
UndergraduateResearchAssistantships
studentsparticipated in the URA program in the 2012-13 academic year57
UndergraduateResearchApprenticeshipProgram
The Undergraduate Research Apprenticeship Program (URAP) is funded through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) Dean’s Office. URAP supports undergraduate students in CLAS that conduct faculty-mentored research projects during the fall and spring semester.
This year, for the first time, OSEEL is coordinating the URAP program on behalf of CLAS. As of spring 2013, OSEEL took responsibility for the program marketing, application process, communcation with faculty and students, program evaluations, and assessment of URAP.
OFFICE OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING 2012-2013 15
UndergraduateSpecialOpportunitiesinArtistry&Research
Ron Leonhardt interacts with elephant in Kandal, Cambodia
The Undergraduate Special Opportunities in Artistry and Research (USOAR) program provides funding for student-generated research projects. Students participating in the USOAR program complete their research and artistry projects on NIU’s campus, in the local community, nationally, or internationally.
Faculty mentors included presidential research professors, department chairs, professors, associate professors, assistant professors, and instructors.
31 students
20 majors
8 students traveled abroad to conduct research
awardedto students to conduct artistry and research projects$50,000
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StevenBoi- Professional PhysicsProton Computer Tomography (pCT)Faculty Mentor: David Hedin
NatalieCincotta- HistoryHistory and Photography: German Photos from the Eastern Front (1933-1945)Faculty Mentor: Heide Fehrenbach
WayneDuerkes- HistoryThe Development of the Market in the Lower Fox River Valley Region, 1833-1853Faculty Mentor: Brad Bond
BrianKeefe- Biological ScienceUse of Local Illinois Microalgae Species to Treat Wastewater and Local BiofuelsFaculty Mentor: Gabriel Holbrook
RonLeonhardt- History & International Relations The Rise of the Khmer Rouge: An Archival ExplorationFaculty Mentor: Judy Ledgerwood
TaylorNicholas- Biological ScienceEffects of Climate Change on Cereals Studied with Next Generation DNA SequencingFaculty Mentor: Melvin Duvall
ScottSmith- Biological ScienceCharacterization and Identification of an Unknown Gram-Positive BacteriumFaculty Mentor: R. Meganathan
BroganBennett- KinesiologyNIU Hockey Exercise and Metabolic Variable TestingFaculty Mentor: Amanda Salacinski
MichaelDhesse- Athletic TrainingAn Investigation of the Development and Implementation of Emergency Action Plans in Secondary School Athletic ProgramsFaculty Mentor: William Pitney
CrystalGulledge & NicolePomerleau-Special EducationComparison of Universally-Designed Prompting System and Video Modeling on the Independent PerformanceFaculty Mentor: Toni Van Laarhoven
GuadalupeLopez- PsychologyFactors Influencing the Psychological Well-Being of Undocumented Latino College StudentsFaculty Mentor: Laura Pittman
CollegeofEducation
USOARRecipients
ZachGriffith&MatthewDurning- Manufacturing Engineering TechnologyNIU Supermileage Chassis USOAR Grant ProposalFaculty Mentor: David Schroeder
AdamKrejci&DavidBeamish-Electrical EngineeringElectronically Tunable Continuous Variable TransmissionFaculty Mentor: Brianno Coller
ShaneNagel- Mechanical EngineeringBrendanMertens- Electrical EngineeringDanielFlynn- Mechanical EngineeringMattMicheli- Biomedical EngineeringSAE Aero DesignFaculty Mentor: Nicholas Pohlman
CollegeofEngineering&EngineeringTechnology
GabrielaRodriquez- Communicative Disorders Proposing a Method of Efficacy Research for Corrective Babbling During a Medical Humanitarian MissionFaculty Mentor: Miriam van Mersbergen
IshaVaishampayan- Communicative Disorders Parental Views of EARTHSPEAK Treatment After TherapyFaculty Mentor: Danai Fannin
CollegeofHealth&HumanSciences,Cont.
CollegeofLiberalArts&Sciences
CollegeofHealth&HumanSciencesMichelleCampbell- Clinical Laboratory Science Assessment of Intake of Cinnamon Supplements on Hemoglobin A1c LevelsFaculty Mentor: Masih Shokrani
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ResearchTravelScholarships
Indiana University Animal Behaviour Conference in Bloomington, IN• AshleyDotson• RachelSchultz
Science, Technology and Diversity for a Health World in Seattle, WA• NoemiRodriguez• ElaineRodriguez• GuadalupeLopez
Society for Research in Child Development in Seattle, WA• KaydeMerrell• VictoriaYopst• DaniellePaoli• JonathanLopez• AshleyClemons• MeganBaker• LaurenRodman• ElliottIhm• AnastasiaSkowron• HeatherFronczak
A number of students from various departments and colleges were awarded travel scholarships to attend the following conferences:
ToddJelinek- MusicTraditional and Modern Approaches to Ancient Russian and Middle-Eastern Frame DrummingFaculty Mentor: Gregory Beyer
SarahL.Knapp- 3D Studio: Sculpture Experience and Sharing theArt of Blowing Glass Faculty Mentor: Eric Fuertes
ChrisKomos- Music Education-PercussionThe Study of Tabla and North IndianHindustani MusicFaculty Mentor: Michael Mixtacki
KimberlyLein- AnthropologyHabituations and Study of Newly-Discovered Group of the Critically Endangered Greater Bamboo Lemur, Prolemur SimusFaculty Mentor: Mitchell Irwin
MariaStapleton- Art History & Anthropology Sacred Maize: Tlanalapa’sColonial Manuscript & Crucifix WorkshopFaculty Mentor: Jeff Kowalski
JaclynZimmerman- Theater Comparative British Architecture: Visual Elements of Structural DesignFaculty Mentor: Terry McClellan
CollegeofVisualandPerformingArts
CollegeofLiberalArts&Sciences,Cont.EvanWittke- Biological ScienceInvestigating LAT1 and ASCT2 Expression in Primary Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma TumorsFaculty Mentor: Barrie Bode
Gabriela Rodriguez
Maria Stapleton
Bangkok, Thailand
4th International Nursing and Midwifery Conference in Galway, Ireland• AileenScarim
ACS 245th National Meeting in New Orleans, LA• StefanieDeVlieger• VladislavSkrypai
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UndergraduateResearchandArtistryDay
Total number of students participating in URAD
Undergraduate Research & Artistry Day 2013
Undergraduate Research and Artistry Day (URAD) provides students with the opportunity to present their faculty-mentored research or artistry project. Posters and presentations are judged, and prizes are awarded in two categories: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) and Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts (SSHA).
This year, over 450 people attended URAD, with 261 students presenters participating as they showcased 176 posters. 99 faculty mentors from 36 academic departments provided mentorship to students during the research and presentation process.
OFFICE OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING 2012-2013 19
2013URADAwardWinnersSocial Sciences, Humanities, and Arts
CarolinaGusciara,Clinical Laboratory Sciences & Biological SciencesComparative Analysis of HIV-2 Diagnostic MethodsFaculty Mentor: Masih Shokrani
AlexisLamb,MusicDescobertas Pelo Pau y Pedra: An In-Depth Study of the Brazilian Berimbau, Its Traditional Applications, and Its Future Contemporary MusicFaculty Mentor: Gregory Beyer
GimReo,PsychologyIs Mindfulness Associated with Distress Tolerance and Child Physical Abuse Risk in a Sample of General Population Parents?Faculty Mentor: Julie Crouch
FirstPlace
SarahStuebing,Biological SciencesNew Faces: The Documentation and Analysis of Facial Expressions in Black Howler MonkeysFaculty Mentor: Leila Porter
SecondPlace
ElliotIhm,PsychologyReversing the Effects of Social Stress Through Environmental Enrichment and Exercise: An Animal ModelFaculty Mentor: Angela Grippo
ThirdPlace
BryceSommer,PsychologyTypes of Information Students Attend to When Writing Summaries of Scientific Research ArticlesFaculty Mentors: Anne Britt & Patricia Wallace
HonorableMention
NatalieCincotta, HistoryHistory and Photography: German Photos from the European Eastern Front of World War II (1939-1945)Faculty Mentors: Heide Fehrenbach & Vera Lind
People’sChoice
Natalie Cincotta, People’s Choice Winner, presents at URAD
Undergraduate Research & Artistry Day 2013
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2013URADAwardWinnersScience, Technology, Engineering, and Math
Alexis Lamb and faculty mentor Gregory Beyer
First Place STEM Award Winner Justin Durancik
Attendees interacting with URAD presenter
JustinDurancik,Biological SciencesPreventing Aflatoxin Production by Chemical InterferenceFaculty Mentor: Ana Calvo
FirstPlace
BrianKeefe,Biological SciencesMicroalgae Grown in Wastewater Effluent as a Feedstock for BiodieselFaculty Mentor: Gabriel Holbrook
SecondPlace
RyanRiddel,Electrical EngineeringMechatronic Suppression of Parkinsonian TremorFaculty Mentor: Abhijit Gupta
ThirdPlace
TaylorNicolas,Biological SciencesEvolution of Cereals to Predict Responses to Climate ChangeFaculty Mentors: Melvin Duvall
HonorableMention
SabaHamid, Chemistry & BiochemistryA Comparative Analysis of the Non-Enzymatic Glycation to the Bovine Lens: A Model to Probe the Structural Alterations of the Diabetic LensFaculty Mentors: Elizabeth Gaillard & Dionne Griffin
People’sChoice
RickJeswein,Chemistry & BiochemistryISPF Inhibitors and Anti-Malarial ActivityFaculty Mentor: Timothy Hagen
FirstPlace,cont.
OFFICE OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING 2012-2013 21
Dr.WilliamPitney is a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology & Physical Education College of Education
FACULTYMENTOROFTHEYEAR
Dr. Pitney’s research interests include:• Professional development• Administration and management• Professional socialization in athletic training practice settings• Athletic training education
Vice Provost Anne Birberick with Faculty Mentor of the Year Dr. William Pitney
“Dr.Pitneyis devoted to the student in every capacity. He is always striving to make the learning experience as enhanced as possible. The student is his number one priority.”
-Mentee of Dr. Pitney
Faculty mentors are nominated by their mentees participating in URAD. Candidates for the Faculty Mentor of the Year are evaluated on their ability to foster student participation in research and artistry activities, balance between advisee and nurturing critical thinking, and develop a mentoring relationship.
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The Mckearn Summer Fellows Program is a distinctive summer academic enrichment and professoinal development program administered by the Provost, University Honors, and OSEEL. Supported through a gift from John and Cassandra McKearn, 10 of NIU’s top students participated in the program which emphasized three main themes: research and artistry; leadership development; and civic, social, and global engagement.
Throughout the summer the McKearn Fellows completed faculty-mentored, independent research and artistry projects. These projects were showcased at the inaugural Summer Research Symposium in August.
In addition, the McKearn Fellows attended numerous workshops, field trips, and other experiential learning opportunities focusing on three modules, as well as personal and professional development. Many NIU alumni hosted the McKearn Fellows throughout the summer.
*Program results will be presented in the 2013-14 Annual Report
10 students
12 mentors
12 excursions
McKearnSummerFellowsProgram
McKearn Summer Fellows visit President Baker and Dr. Dana Stover
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ResearchExperienceforUndergraduates
SummerResearchOpportunitiesProgram
The Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP) gives 10 undergraduate students at NIU the opportunity to conduct paid, faculty-mentored research during the summer months. The eight week program offers participants the chance to develop personally, academically, and professionally through a variety of workshops, field trips, and activities.
SROP provides students with the opportunity to: • Learn what research looks like in their
field of study• Learn how to write a formal research
proposal• Gain experience working alongside
talented faculty• Attend professional and academic
enrichment activities• Receive housing, meals, and a
generous stipend
*Program results will be presented in the 2013-14 Annual Report
McKearn Summer Fellows visit President Baker and Dr. Dana Stover
SROP students at the Field Museum
REU students on field trip
Student presents at symposium
In partnership with the REU grant team, OSEEL provided administrative support for NIU’s Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program. NIU’s REU program focuses on energy, environment, ethics, and economy (the 4-Es). The 8-week summer program, called Operation ETank, provides 10 non-NIU students (supported by National Science Foundation (NSF) grant funding) and 2 NIU students (supported by the Vice Provost) with the opportunity to explore the broader issue of sustainability. Students conducted research on NIU’s campus and in the community, attended excursions, and presented at the Summer Research Symposium.
10 non-NIU students
2 NIU students
6 projects
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hoursof service completed in 2012-13 by the Huskie Service Scholars6366
HuskieServiceScholars
16 fellows
6 peer mentors
6 campus partners
Huskie Service Scholars plant seeds at the community garden
The Huskie Service Scholars (HSS) program strives to provide support for low-income and/or first-generation students at NIU. Fellows, who must also be in their first-year at NIU, develop peer networks and relationships with mentors as they engage in service work on campus and in the community.
HSS fellows dedicate 300 hours to service work, mentoring, reflection and training opportunities. Fellows serve with one of six cohorts, including: Student Involvement and Leadership Development; Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math; Environmental Studies; Latino Resource Center; Center for Black Studies; and Student Support Services.
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PCRdiscussions were led by trained facilitators42
students participated in PCR discussions700
facilitators were trained to lead PCR discussions, including 70 Community Advisors (CAs)83
The Project on Civic Reflection (PCR) helps NIU students, faculty, and staff come together to discuss and relate a piece of literature or media to their civic engagement experiences. Through the Project on Civic Reflection, NIU is able to educate both its students and faculty alike through meaningful discussion.
Students, faculty, and staff were trained to facilitate PCR discussions during two separate day-long trainings. Facilitators led discussions around impactful and often controversial topics such as service to others, racism, religion, politics, change, body image, education, the importance of voting and more.
ProjectonCivicReflection
Huskie Service Scholars plant seeds at the community garden
Students participate in a PCR discussion during MLK Week of Service
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In collaboration with Illinois Campus Compact and OSEEL, the AmericCorps VISTA (Volunteer in Service to America) works on finding new ways to enhance the support of low-income and first-generation college students to ensure their success at NIU. As part of this mission, the VISTA oversees the Huskie Service Scholar program.
The VISTA also works to share the importance of college with middle school and high school first-generation students in the local community.
Current partners that the VISTA works with include Kishwaukee United Way, Sycamore School District 427, and DeKalb School District 428.
AmeriCorpsVISTA
NIU’s VISTA works with first-year students at community garden
15 faculty & staff from local school districts
75 NIU students
18 NIU faculty & staff
Outreach
OFFICE OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING 2012-2013 27
students in grades 6 through 12 attended sessions run by FAST78
First-generation Aspire to Succeed Together (FAST) is a student group initiated and led by the VISTA that strives to improve college access and success among first-generation college students (FGCS) at NIU as well as in the DeKalb and Sycamore area middle schools and high schools.
The Illinois Campus Compact-VISTA and FAST members visit these schools to provide college readiness information with future FGCS. At these visits, students are presented with activities and materials that will both engage them and have a positive impact on their educational career.
Current partners of the FAST group include five schools from School Districts 427 & 428 and the NIU Latino Resource Center peer mentoring program, Creando Caminos, at Huntley Middle school.
First-GenerationAspiretoSucceedTogether(FAST)
NIU’s VISTA works with first-year students at community garden
facultyandstaff from School Districts 427 and 428 collaborated with FAST11
participants from NIU make up the FAST student group19
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GraduateSchoolPreparation
111 students attended the fall and spring GSPS
77 participated in the GRE Basics workshops
20 total sessions provided
percent of students surveyed felt more prepared for graduate school after attending a seminar or workshop
99
The Graduate School Preparation Seminar (GSPS) is hosted twice a year in October and February. GSPS aims to provide undergraduates with information about the process of applying to graduate school, with the goal of increasing the number of students that apply for graduate school.
The seminar gave students the opportunity to speak with educators about popular programs, admissions requirements, and financial aid options.
GraduateSchoolPreprationSeminar
GREBasicsWorkshopThe GRE Basics Workshop offers two weeks oo workshops focused on helping students become familiar with the Graduate Records Exam (GRE). Each of the sessions reviews a different section of the GRE, from introducing students to the test itself to sessions on verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and writing.
GRE Basics is also provided twice during the academic year, and is facilitated by knowledgable graduate or PhD students from NIU.
OFFICE OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING 2012-2013 29
NorthernLightAmbassadors
NLAs interact with campus partners during the Fall Reception
OSEEL, along with the Office of Student Academic Success, coordinates the Northern Lights Ambassadors (NLA) program. NLAs are a select group of students chosen based on their academic leadership and excellence, as well as involvement in engaged learning activities.
NLAs represent their respective colleges on campus and in the community, and focus on promoting increased retention, engaged learning, fund development, public relations, outreach, and special events.
Throughout the past year, NLAs were present in the President’s Tent at home football games, represented their colleges at open houses, and passed out ribbons during Huskies Say Thanks to increase donor awareness on campus.
NLAs have gone on to become:• Lincoln Laureates• REU participants• USOAR recipients• Forward, Together, Forward scholars• NCUR presenters
30 NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Over the past year, representatives from OSEEL have participated in multiple conferences centered around “engaged learning” allowing OSEEL staff to connect with colleges and universities around the country.
Multiple OSEEL staff members presented on current OSEEL/NIU initiatives at these local and national conferences, in addition to attending sessions on student engagement trends. Some of these conferences included:
Engaged Learning Conferences
• Martinez, L. (Feb. 2013). Partnering with VISTA. Civic Learning and Community Engagement Conference. Illinois Campus Compact. Naperville, IL.
• Spears, J. (Sept. 2012). Encouraging academic exploration through undergraduate research experiences. Academic Advising Summit. Northern Illinois University. DeKalb, IL.
• Spears, J. & Birberick, A. (Feb. 2013). Need a Little TLC?: Developing Integrated Learning through Themed Learning Communities. General Education and Assessment: A Sea Change in Student Learning. AAC&U Network for Academic Renewal Conference. Boston, MA.
• Spears, J. & Castle, N. (Feb. 2013). Civic Mindedness and Civic Engagement at NIU. Civic Learning and Community Engagement Conference. Illinois Campus Compact. Naperville, IL.
• Spears, J. & Castle, N. (April 12, 2013). Community Leadership Democratic Engagement Investment Plan 2012-2013. American Association of Colleges and Universities CLDE Action Collaborative. Chicago, IL. http://www.aacu.org/civic_learning/documents/CACtedtalks.pdf
• Spears, J. & Hart, M. (June, 2013). Establishing an Undergraduate Research Center: Bottom up, Top down, Inside out. Windows of Opportunity: Undergraduate Research Conference. Council on Undergraduate Research. Orange, CA.
• Spears, J. & Zobac, S. (April 5, 2013). Recruiting, Training and Supporting Faculty. 2013 Best Practices Symposium. Consortium for Illinois Learning Communities. DeKalb, IL
• Spears, J. & Zobac, S. (Nov. 8-10). Served as moderators. National Learning Communities Conference. Indianapolis, IN.
• Tripodi, R., Wilkinson, A., Harris, J. (June, 2013). Growing a Community of Undergraduate Scholars to Strengthen Undergraduate Research Programs. Windows of Opportunity: Undergraduate Research Conference. Council on Undergraduate Research. Orange, CA.
• Tripodi, R., Zobac, S., & Sikes, L. (September 12, 2012). Layered Mentoring: Utilizing Peer Mentors in First-Year Co-Curricular Programming. Midwest First-Year Experience Conference 2012. DeKalb, IL.
• Zobac, S. & Spears, J. (April 5, 2013). Three Course, One Theme: Developing Integrative Assignments for TLCs. 2013 Best Practices Symposium. Consortium for Illinois Learning Communities poster presentation. DeKalb, IL.
OFFICE OF STUDENT ENGAGEMENT AND EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING 2012-2013 31
• Academic Advising Center• Alumni Association• CHANCE• College of Business• College of Engineering & Engineering Technology• College of Health & Human Sciences• College of Liberal Arts & Sciences• College of Visual & Performing Arts• Document Services• Geology & Environmental
Geosciences• Holmes Student Center• Latino Resource Center• Media Services
• NGOLD Center• Office of Research Compliance• Office of Student Academic
Success• Orientation & First Year
Experience• Student Involvement & Leadership Development • Technical Transfer Office• Testing Services• The Graduate School• The Scholarship Office• The Study Abroad Office• University Honors Program• University Libraries
OurCampusPartners
• Angel Outreach• Argonne National Laboratory• Boys and Girls Club• Centro sin Fronteras• DeKalb County Community Gardens• DeKalb County Court House• DeKalb County Youth Services
Bureau• DeKalb School District 428• Egyptian Theatre• Fermilab• Goodwill DeKalb• Habitat for Humanity• Hope Haven• Feed ‘Em Soup
• Feed My Starving Children• Kishwaukee Community Hospital• Kishwaukee United Way• Lovell Federal Health Care Center• New Hope Church• Northern Illinois Food Bank• PAWS Animal Shelter• Relay for Life• Salvation Army Food Pantry in
DeKalb• Shiloh Baptist Church PADS
location• Sycamore School District 427• TAILS Humane Society• YMCA
OurCommunityPartners
Campus Partner Dr. Bradley Bond, of the NIU Graduate School, lectures at GSPS
Julia Spears, Ph.D. DirectorRachel Tripodi, M.S. Assistant DirectorStephanie Zobac, M.Ed. Assistant Director
Michaela Holtz, M.S. Assistant to the DirectorMarilyn Lorch, M.A. Office Support SpecialistLucero Martinez Americorps VISTA
Graduate Assistants Valerie Berg Daniel Green Erin Holman Joy Mitchell Heidi Wieland
Student Employees Lauren Boddy Natalie Cincotta Wayne Duerkes Lauren Sikes Jenner Sio
MeettheOSEELStaff
TheOfficeofStudentEngagementandExperientialLearning
110 Evans Field HouseDeKalb, IL 60115(815) 753-8154
www.niu.edu/[email protected]