Northeastern Illinois University has named a new Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students, and Student Leadership Development has shared readings of children’s books for a virtual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. Read about this news and more in this week’s edition of Noteworthy at Northeastern.
Around the Commons
Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students
After a thorough national search, Northeastern has named Dr. Terry Mena as its new Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students. He will start on Feb. 22. Dr. Mena comes to Northeastern from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, where he served as Associate Vice President and Dean of Students. Dr. Mena is a native of Miami who was a first-generation college student. He earned a Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in Higher Education Leadership from Florida Atlantic University, a master’s degree in Student Personnel Administration from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Northeastern University in Boston.
And there’s more!
- Change of Registration continues through Jan. 25. Departmental approval is required to register for all classes.
- Assistant Professor of English Ryan Poll has published three articles on PopMatters: “Amanda Gorman's History Lesson: An Inaugural Poem in the Shadow of White Supremacy,” “Steve McQueen's 'Small Axe' and Emerging Institutions of Black Power,” and “The Mandalorian's Political Allegory: Diversity Is the Way.”
- Assistant Professor of Linguistics Ariana Bancu co-presented a poster titled “Conjunctions as the locus of language contact, language change, and language maintenance: The case of Transylvanian Saxon” at the Linguistic Society of America annual meeting.
- SEEDS Literary and Visual Arts Journal is accepting submissions through Jan. 25 for the Spring 2021 issue.
- The National Institutes of Health MARC (Maximizing Access to Research Careers) U-STAR Program at Northeastern is currently accepting student applications for MARC Scholar appointments. Applications are due Feb. 1.
- Northeastern’s Nuevas Voces 10-Minute Play Festival and Contest is accepting submissions for its fifth annual contest through Feb. 1.
- Northeastern’s Diversifying Faculty in Illinois (DFI) program is seeking applicants for the 2021-2022 DFI Fellowship. Applications are due by Feb. 12.
- The ChicagoCHEC Research Fellows Program is accepting applications for the 2021 summer cohort through Feb. 28.
- The Student Government Association is seeking Senators and Council of Clubs Representatives. Students interested in these positions should complete the SGA Interest Form.
- Northeastern’s library is seeking student submissions for “Sheltering in Place: NEIU Archives COVID-19 Documentation Project.” All current Northeastern students as well as alumni who were students during the Spring and Summer 2020 terms are encouraged to submit pieces to the archive.
- Northeastern’s student media organizations are currently recruiting students. Any students interested in participating can fill out the NEIU Student Media Interest Form. Additionally, the Northeastern Programming Board and Student Government Association are hiring student workers. Students interested in any of these opportunities can contact Student Media Coordinator Dennis Sagel at drsagel@neiu.edu for more information.
To do
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service 2021
In celebration of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service 2021, members of the Northeastern community, in collaboration with Student Leadership Development (SLD), recorded themselves reading culturally diverse children's books. These stories pay tribute to Dr. King and his commitment to diversity, inclusion and serving communities. SLD hopes children can hear stories that they see themselves in or opens their minds to new cultures. Please enjoy these recordings as a way of celebrating Dr. King's life and legacy as well as honoring his vision of a beloved community.
P.E. Complex
The P.E. Complex reopened on Jan. 19 adhering to strict COVID-19 guidelines, limiting the spaces and services available, and operating on a reduced schedule. The fitness center, racquetball courts and the main gym require advanced registration. Drop-in registration will be pending availability. Campus Recreation will track users in each area to monitor use and for contact tracing purposes if necessary. Members with active memberships between March 2020-January 2021 will have their membership extended for the time missed in their membership contract. The reactivation date will begin with a reservation to use the facility. No daily passes will be sold. No guests will be allowed. New members will only be able to purchase visit passes. Currently enrolled NEIU students do not require a membership to use the facility, but do still require space reservations. Specific membership questions and concerns can be directed to Martha Montes at m-montes1@neiu.edu.
Coming Next Week
- How to Take Great Notes Workshop, 3 p.m., Jan. 26
- Online and Remote Learning Roundtable Discussion, 3 p.m., Jan. 26
- Diversifying Faculty in Illinois (DFI) Fellowship Information Session, 5 p.m., Jan. 26
- Jump-start Your NEIU Financial Aid and Scholarships, noon, Jan. 27
- Myths and Facts about the COVID-19 Vaccine: A Community Conversation, noon, Jan. 27
- “Surviving College: The Hip Hop Stage Play,” 7 p.m., Jan. 27
- NPB Virtual Game Night, 6:30 p.m., Jan. 28
- Summer or Fall 2021 Early Transfer Admissions: Two Easy Steps, noon, Jan. 29
- Student Center for Science Engagement Summer Research Information Session, 3 p.m., Jan. 29
Student Support Spotlight
Student Counseling Services has provided some tips for helping individuals manage anxiety and worry they may be feeling, and listed some important resources. Students are welcome to contact Student Counseling Services to set up an appointment to talk either by phone or their online platform for teletherapy. To access NEIU’s Student Counseling Services, call (773) 442-4650 or send an email to counsect@neiu.edu between 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.
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