Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, host Lakeside Chat

Northeastern Illinois University welcomed the 57th Mayor of the City of Chicago Brandon Johnson on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, for a Lakeside Chat that focused on civic leadership, human rights and the barriers facing today's college students.

The event was held in the Auditorium on the University’s Main Campus and was open to members of the University community. Mayor Johnson was joined on stage alongside students Leslie Lozada (B.A. ’25 Anthropology, in Journalism and Communication, Media and Theatre; current student M.A. Communication, Media and Theatre), E’Nya “Winter” Terry (current student, B.A. Political Science, minors in Criminology and Philosophy), and DeWitt Scott, Ed.D., Director of the Angelina Pedroso Center for Diversity and Intercultural Affairs. The discussion was moderated by Urban Community Studies Professor Zada Johnson, Ph.D.

“Founded in 1867, NEIU is a Minority-Serving and Hispanic-Serving Institution dedicated to expanding access, advancing opportunity and preparing graduates for meaningful careers and lifelong success,” said President Katrina E. Bell-Jordan, Ph.D. She continued, “It is in the context of access, opportunity and purpose that we are honored to welcome Mayor Brandon Johnson to campus today.”

The panel answered questions around a central theme: “How can we expand opportunities and strengthen communities by removing barriers that students face every day?” These barriers include housing and food insecurities, mental health, safety concerns, financial stress and uncertainties related to recent federal policies.

“The first thing that we have to do — civic as well as our public institutions — we have to believe our students when they express the pain and turmoil that they’ve experienced,” Mayor Johnson said when addressing a question around what responsibilities cities and public institutions share in advancing human rights and creating conditions where students can thrive. He continued, “It’s the strongest partnership, I believe, that exists today. Our public institutions, as well as our government, are best positioned to fight for our humanity and there’s no better time than the time that we’re living in right now.”

Lozada and Terry both expressed that University resources, like the Student Pantry and their involvement in student clubs and organizations has helped positively impact their college experience.

“From my experiences working in Student Media, that is a big issue — people are trying to find different events around campus to supplement a lunch or an early dinner, if they have night class,” Lozada said, who is currently the Editor-in-Chief of The Independent, the University’s student-run newspaper.

Terry also noted that the Student Pantry is important because, as a resident of The Nest, she knows many students who live on campus get some of their basic necessities from there. Additionally, she addressed the importance of student mental health. She noted that TimelyCare — the University’s free virtual mental health platform that is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week for all currently enrolled students — and programs like Barbershop Talks — a weekly forum in the Pedroso Center for open and honest conversations about various topics — help students to stay grounded, focused and motivated.

“When you want to feel human again, you go to Barbershop Talks,” Terry said. She continued, “You get rooted in your purpose and you feel as though you can take on the rest of the week and take care of yourself.”

Throughout the conversation, Mayor Johnson highlighted the importance of partnerships between cities and public universities in advancing opportunities for students and the communities they serve.

“My administration is committed to meeting young people where they are and centering youth voices in our efforts to build safer, more affordable communities for all," said Mayor Johnson in a press release about the event. "I am grateful to NEIU for the opportunity to discuss our shared challenges and potential solutions with some of our city's brightest students, and I look forward to continued partnership with NEIU to build career pathways, expand opportunities and ensure Chicago is thriving. Today's conversation is a reminder that young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow, they are leading in our present.”

The event was part of a broader effort to foster public discourse on the critical issues facing today's students. It also aligned with Northeastern's College of Arts and Sciences' themed semester, "Staying the Course for Human Rights: From Awareness to Action," which centers on the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights in classes and public programs throughout Spring 2026.

Top photo (from left to right): Zada Johnson, Ph.D.; Leslie Lozada; Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson; DeWitt Scott, Ed.D.; and E’Nya “Winter” Terry during the Lakeside Chat on Feb. 26, 2026.