DEKALB, IL – Northern Illinois University (NIU) has been named a finalist for the inaugural Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) 2025 Excellence in Student Success Award. The award honors institutions that demonstrate a comprehensive, systemic commitment to advancing student success through sustainable and innovative initiatives.
“Northern Illinois University is honored to be recognized by APLU for our comprehensive commitment to student success,” NIU President Lisa C. Freeman said. “Huskie students come from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances. We take pride in matching their talent with opportunity and breaking down unnecessary barriers to college graduation.”
“Student success is a top priority at NIU, and our efforts are making a difference,” Executive Vice President and Provost Laurie Elish-Piper said. “Through sustainable and innovative initiatives, NIU is enhancing degree completion, improving outcomes and reducing barriers to educational attainment. We are committed to making sure our students have the tools and resources they need to succeed while at NIU and beyond.”
NIU has taken a data-informed approach to outreach and cross-institutional collaboration across six core student success areas: academics, inclusive excellence, care and support, engagement and belonging, financial literacy, and career development. Among the many services and programs NIU offers to support student success are academic coaching, writing assistance, and Supplemental Instruction through our Huskie Academic Success Center. To support career development across the entire time students are enrolled at NIU, they have access to career counseling, an innovative digital badging system and additional career preparation resources through our Career Services office. NIU also helps students get back on track to meet academic standards through our Academic Recovery Program.
Knowing the importance of continued registration to academic advancement and persistence, NIU formed a Registration Promotion Action Team, co-chaired by associate vice provost for Student Success, Nichole Knutson and director of Planning and Assessment, Brandon Lagana.
This cross-function team is comprised of NIU leaders and practitioners who recognized the importance of continued registration to academic advancement and persistence and collaborated on an ongoing plan to improve student outcomes such as persistence. This approach drew upon the groups’ collective expertise, used existing university resources efficiently, and assessed impact based on measurable results.
“Because student success is woven into the fabric of NIU, we’ve been empowered to bring together colleagues, campus leaders and practitioners from across units and take real action,” Lagana said. “The Registration Promotion Action Team is about using what we know, such as data, timing and student needs to connect with students in ways that help them succeed and to stay on track each term to reach their goals.”
First-time full-time freshmen and overall undergraduate reenrollment at NIU reached five- and 25-year respective highs this fall.
The Excellence in Student Success Award is open to all APLU members. The award winner will be announced at the APLU Annual Meeting, Nov. 9-11 in Philadelphia, PA.
“Congratulations to this year’s Excellence in Student Success Award finalists,” APLU President Waded Cruzado said. “We’re delighted to highlight institutions that are on the leading edge of advancing student success and ensuring more students benefit from the transformational power of a college education.”
About APLU:
APLU is a membership organization that fosters a community of university leaders collectively working to advance the mission of public research universities. The association’s membership consists of nearly 250 public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems, and affiliated organizations spanning across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, six U.S. territories, Canada and Mexico. Annually, member campuses enroll 5.3 million undergraduates and 1.4 million graduate students, award 1.4 million degrees, employ 1.35 million faculty and staff, and conduct $61 billion in university-based research.
About NIU:
Northern Illinois University is a student-centered, nationally recognized public research university, with expertise that benefits its region and spans the globe in a wide variety of fields, including the sciences, humanities, arts, business, engineering, education, health and law. The Wall Street Journal and CollegeNET recognize NIU as a leading institution for social mobility, or helping its students climb the socioeconomic ladder. Through its main campus in DeKalb, Illinois, and education centers for students and working professionals in Chicago, Naperville and Rockford, NIU offers more than 100 areas of study while serving a diverse and international student body.
