When Vicki Sherman, ’98, M.S.Ed. ’26, crossed the stage at NIU’s spring 2026 commencement, she wasn’t walking alone.

“He was there by my side,” she said, speaking of her son, Ryan.

Vicki earned her master’s degree in instructional technology with a library specialist endorsement — completing the walk in Ryan’s memory and honoring his dream of one day earning an NIU degree.

Ryan tragically lost his life in a car accident in January 2023 during his senior year at Guilford High School in Rockford, Illinois. Before his passing, he had planned to begin his college journey at Rock Valley College, then transfer to NIU to complete his bachelor’s degree. He was considering engineering, inspired by his father, Derek Sherman, ’92, M.S. ’01, an industrial engineer.

Ryan is remembered for his warm personality.

“He was just a fun-loving, friendly and welcoming kid,” Vicki said. “He loved people. He wanted to make others happy, and he touched so many lives.”

After Ryan’s death, Vicki felt herself at a crossroads. She had spent 26 years teaching preschool, a career she loved deeply, but returning to the same building where she first learned of Ryan’s accident was incredibly difficult. She finished the school year, knowing it was time for a change.

“I just didn’t have my heart in my work in the same way,” she said. “But I had always thought I would love being a librarian.”

Already an NIU alumna with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and a master’s degree in special education from Concordia University, Vicki returned to NIU once more. This time, rooted in her love of learning and stories.

Books had always been central to her teaching. She loved opening doors for young learners, helping them discover that every book is an adventure and that, through reading, we can be anywhere.

While pursuing her degree, Vicki continued teaching full time. After switching schools, she found her way to Beyer Early Childhood Center — where her joy in the classroom was renewed.

“I absolutely love teaching again,” she said. “Meeting students where they are, helping them grow — they’re like little sponges at that age. I’m also so grateful for the community and administrative support at Beyer.”

Though Vicki no longer plans to pursue a librarian role immediately after graduation, she says returning to NIU was exactly what she needed.

“I think God wanted me to learn what I learned,” she said. “It’s something I could do later in life. And since Ryan wanted to go to NIU, I know I did part of this for him.”

Upon her return, Vicki felt embraced by the Huskie community. She credits her advisor, Judy Puskar, and her professors for their encouragement and kindness.

NIU has long been intertwined with the Sherman family story. Ryan’s grandfather, the late Homer “Tex” Sherman, served as chair of what is now NIU’s Department of Leadership, Educational Psychology and Foundations.

On graduation day, Vicki wore her cap and gown — but what mattered most was a small knit heart she held close to her. A friend made it in Ryan’s honor, complete with a cross and music-note charms. Ryan was deeply involved in the Christian Youth Theater in Rockford, performing in more than 15 productions as a singer, actor and mentor. His faith and joy left a lasting impression on everyone around him.

“I also wore a pin with Ryan’s picture that says, ‘I’m always walking with you,’” Vicki said.

The knit heart was with her during study sessions and class days. When things felt overwhelming, she would remind herself, This is good. We’re good. I’m going to do this, Ryan.

That strength came not only from Ryan’s memory, but from a wide circle of love — her family, including husband Derek and son Connor; close friends; the Christian Youth Theater community; Westminster Presbyterian Church; and her unwavering faith.

“Everybody loves and misses Ryan,” Vicki said. “He brought Jesus’ light to everyone he met. Knowing he’s with our Savior gives me peace.”

When asked what Ryan would have said after seeing her cross the stage, Vicki replied:

“He’d say, ‘Way to go, Mom! You did it.’ Then he’d say, ‘I love you,’ and give me a big hug.”

Help carry deams forward for NIU students at NIUForward.com.

Jessica Hardges is working toward a December 2026 graduation from the College of Education, an achievement she hopes will not only fulfill her own aspirations, but also inspire her young daughter who lives on campus with her.

“My experiences have given me a strong sense of resilience and purpose,” she said. “I am especially motivated to create a better future for my child and to show that it’s never too late to pursue your goals.”

Hardges is a mother of three: a 22-year-old son who serves in the military, a 20-year-old daughter who is a manager at a fast food chain, and her eight-year-old daughter, who currently lives with her on campus at NIU and has become a central part of her journey. Balancing parenting with coursework has shaped her perspective and strengthened her determination.

“Returning to school has been an important step for me, not only for my personal and professional growth, but to show my daughter the value of education, resilience and perseverance,” she said. “Everything I’m doing now is to create a better future for my family.”

Hardges is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in applied management with a focus on instructional technology, design and evaluation. She hopes to build a career that blends education, technology and community impact.

“I am passionate about creating programs that educate and empower underserved communities, particularly in areas like food access, financial literacy and self‑sufficiency,” she said.

Her long‑term vision is to establish a nonprofit organization that brings these passions together.

“I plan to develop a nonprofit hydroponics and community resource center that teaches people how to grow their own food, understand holistic nutrition and build sustainable lifestyles,” she said. “My NIU degree is equipping me with the tools to design educational programs, implement systems and evaluate their impact effectively.”

Hardges said her passion about those issues comes from her belief that poverty can be temporary, but generational poverty often comes from a lack of access to information, resources and opportunity.

“My interest started when I was a child—around nine years old—when I first interacted with a nonprofit while helping my family,” she said. “I later volunteered and eventually worked in that space, and that’s where I fell in love with serving others. I’ve come to understand that people don’t just need help—they need tools, education, and guidance to become self-sufficient. Access to food provides the energy to pursue goals, financial literacy helps people use money effectively, and education creates long-term stability. I see these programs as a bridge for individuals who are actively trying to better their lives but need support during that transition.”

Hardges describes her path to NIU as “nonlinear.” She first enrolled as a young adult but stepped away to focus on work and raising her family. After years in administrative roles across multiple industries, she felt called to return and complete what she started.

She chose NIU again because of its support for nontraditional students and its emphasis on leadership and personal growth.

“In my experience as a nontraditional student, NIU offers a wide range of support systems that truly make a difference,” she said. “Resources like the Center for Student Assistance provide grants, food support and help with essential needs like childcare. There are also programs like the Huskie Food Pantry, Huskie Closet and the Period Project through the Gender Resource Center. Northern View housing allows students with families to live on campus, and there is access to childcare services as well.”

Since returning, she has immersed herself fully in campus life, serving as a community advisor at Northern View, an orientation leader and a student ambassador for the NIU Foundation. Foundation ambassadors serve as peer leaders who promote Huskies United, participate in outreach and represent the Foundation at key events.

“I choose to be involved because I want to fully experience NIU and give back to the community,” she said. “These roles allow me to support students, build connections and develop leadership skills. They’ve strengthened my confidence, communication and ability to serve others.”

Scholarship support has played a pivotal role in her journey. Hardges received the William F. Doyle Endowed Scholarship and the Burns Family Angel Touch Fund, among other assistance, which helped ease financial pressures and allowed her to stay focused on her studies.

“Receiving a scholarship was truly a blessing,” she said. “It reminded me that my hard work and persistence are being recognized and supported.”

She encourages alumni and friends of NIU to continue investing in scholarships that open doors for students like her.

“Their support truly changes lives,” she said. “Scholarships are not just financial assistance, they are opportunities. They allow students to stay enrolled, stay focused and keep building a better future for themselves and their families. Their nvestment creates long‑term impact in communities and generations to come.”

As she looks ahead, Hardges is proud of how far she has come and remains committed to finishing strong.

“What means the most to me is growth — personally, academically and professionally,” she said. “I am building something bigger than myself, and that is something I take great pride in.”

To help Huskies like Jessica achieve their goals, please visit the NIU Forward website.

For former NIU men’s soccer forward Nick Markanich, ’23, the hardest part of the game has never been physical.

The mental side is the most challenging. Learning how to ride the highs and lows, trusting yourself when momentum disappears, and believing in the next step, even when the future feels unclear.

“It goes in waves,” Markanich said. “You’re on a high, then you’re down again, then you’re back up. You just have to keep believing in yourself and know everything will work out.”

Today, that belief has carried him to continue his professional career in Major League Soccer, where he plays for the Houston Dynamo on loan — a temporary move from Club Deportivo Castellón in Spain, where he remains under contract — the latest chapter in his journey.

Where It All Started

Long before professional contracts or international moves, soccer was something Markanich shared with the person closest to him: his twin brother, Anthony, ’23.

“My brother and I decided to play high school soccer junior and senior year, and that was one of the best times of my life,” Markanich said. “We had a really good team and a strong soccer community.”

At Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School, Markanich found soccer opened the door to college. He earned a partial athletic scholarship to NIU, enough to make the next step possible.

Choosing NIU Together

For the brothers, staying together mattered and their visit to NIU sealed the decision.

“We loved the facilities — the Chessick Center, the Convocation Center — all of it,” Markanich said. “And the coaches. Ryan Swan and Andrew Bordelon were there to welcome us, and we just fell in love.”

Bordelon, then an assistant coach, became a steady presence across their careers.

“He was a big part of recruiting,” Markanich said. “He was there for us throughout our college career. We still stay in touch with him and Coach Swan.”

While Nick played forward, Anthony anchored the back line as a defender.

“He’s my best friend,” Nick said of Anthony. “We were always competitive, but it made us better.”

Building Confidence

Markanich arrived at NIU talented, but unsure. Confidence, he said, was something he learned.

“Before, I didn’t really have confidence,” he said. “I enjoyed playing, but once you actually believe in yourself, you’re a much better player.”

That growth showed early. As a freshman, he scored eight goals and earned Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year honors.

Swan played a defining role in building his confidence.

“Coach Swan was always telling us we had potential to play at the next level,” Markanich said. “He’s a big reason why I’m where I am now. He moved me into different positions to make me the best player I could be. He was always positive and encouraging, and that helps your confidence so much.”

By his junior and senior seasons, Markanich had become a leader and a force — earning Mid-American Conference Player of the Year and first-team All-MAC honors both seasons while helping the Huskies reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2021, a rare milestone for the program having only been a part of the tournment ten years prior in 2011.

“That obviously helped with recruitment to go pro,” Markanich said.

The Reality of the Pros

After being drafted by FC Cincinnati, Markanich quickly found himself back at the bottom of the learning curve.

“It was a shock,” he said. “You’re coming from college on a high, and now you’re playing with veterans who’ve been in the league a long time.”

What followed was not instant success, but growth.

“You have to earn everything again. I grew a lot that year,” Markanich said.

He wasn’t re-signed and moved to the Charleston Battery in the USL Championship and had to transition again. In Charleston came a breakout: a record-setting 30-goal season that led to a transfer of his contract to Castellón in Spain.

A year overseas followed with excitement and challenges far from home. Eventually, he went out on loan returning stateside to MLS with Houston.

“It’s complicated,” Markanich said. “You never really know what’s going to happen.”

The People Behind the Player

Through every high and low, Markanich credits his family with helping him stay grounded and motivated. Long before college offers or professional contracts entered the picture, his parents were making sacrifices that shaped the player he would become.

“My parents drove me everywhere,” Markanich said. “Sometimes an hour each way just for practice. They worked all day, then drove me, never complained. They didn’t really have the finances for it either, but they made it work. I owe everything to them.”

Markanich has also found steadiness in his wife, Abigail McHugh, ’23, a former member of the NIU women’s soccer team. Together, they navigate the realities of an unpredictable professional soccer career.

“You can’t play forever,” he said. “So you have to enjoy every moment you get and keep your family close.”

Riding the Wave

Looking ahead, Markanich hopes to stay connected to the game long after his playing days end, possibly back on the sideline as a college coach.

For current NIU athletes chasing the next level, Markanich offers this:

“Confidence is everything. You’ve got to tell yourself you’re good and you deserve to be where you are.”

And when the wave dips?

“Sports can really get to you mentally. If you’re benched, if things aren’t going well, you’ve got to stay strong,” he said. “NIU gave me the foundation.”

To help empower student athletes, visit niuforward.com.

“You won’t regret choosing NIU.”
“I had a good experience at NIU, and I know you will too.”
“You’re almost done. You can do this!”

Sometimes a few handwritten words arrive at exactly the right moment.

For Martha Ann Terry, ’83, M.A. ’85, those brief messages — sent to students considering NIU and to those pushing through finals week — are a simple but powerful way to offer encouragement through two programs designed by the NIU Alumni Association’s Volunteer Engagement Community, NIU Nexus.

Penned from her home in Pittsburgh, the postcards remind students they are supported by a vast network of Huskies — alumni who built NIU’s reputation for grit and determination and who are now cheering on the next generation to carry that legacy forward.

“I got a lot out of my experience at NIU, and I like to give back,” she said. “It enriches my life, and I’m at a point where I can choose opportunities I know I’ll truly enjoy.”

Terry’s commitment to volunteering is deeply personal.

“My father always used to say, ‘Service is the price we pay for the space we inhabit,’” she said.

Beyond writing heartfelt postcards, Terry volunteers as an alumna interviewee for an advanced communications class and serves on the Anthropology Alumni Advisory Board, continuing her commitment to supporting students and academic programs from afar.

Looking across her various roles, it’s clear Terry believes that giving back doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful.

“From early on, I watched my parents volunteer in the small Iowa towns where we lived,” Terry said. “I saw how helping others, however you could, made their life better, and led to being happier.”

This belief in community connection traces back to Terry’s own time as a student at NIU — an experience she describes as, quite simply, like coming home.

After a year of college at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, followed by her marriage and starting a family, Terry returned to the classroom when she and her family moved to Sandwich, Illinois. With young children at home, her path to a degree required careful planning and flexibility. Still, from her very first NIU class — an introductory course in cultural anthropology — she knew she had found her place.

“It was like coming home,” she said. “Everything I loved was in that class. Dr. Michael Salovesh brought energy, joy and storytelling to the class that showed the importance of kinship ties, links to archaeology and understanding how our biology is related to culture. I looked forward to every Thursday night that semester.”

Though not involved in student life in the traditional sense, Terry found a strong sense of belonging within her cohort and among faculty who left a lasting impact on her. Hands-on coursework, long weekends in the lab that turned into potluck study sessions, and storytelling professors who brought the discipline to life shaped both her academic confidence and future goals.

“My professors were so influential, I wanted to do what they were doing: be in the classroom, sharing stories and convincing students that anthropology was the most exciting discipline on earth,” she said.

That clarity of purpose shaped what came next. After earning both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at NIU, Terry went on to complete a Ph.D. in anthropology at the University of Pittsburgh, launching a career rooted in teaching, mentorship and the same sense of curiosity and care she first experienced in NIU classrooms.

Terry spent 30 years at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Public Health, joining in 1992 as an urban ethnographer for a CDC-funded HIV prevention project focused on women. She went on to hold teaching and leadership roles across the school, including director of the Master of Public Health program in the Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences. Her work included advising graduate students across multiple disciplines, helping design joint academic programs, and serving in faculty governance, including as president of the School of Public Health’s Faculty Senate Executive Committee and public health representative on the University Senate.

Asked for her best career advice, Terry replied: “Do what you love. All the rest will work itself out.”

Terry was recognized in 2009 with the James L. Craig Excellence in Teaching Award, a student-voted honor from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Public Health. In 2023, she was honored with the NIU Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for her professional accomplishments and continued service to the university.

Retirement didn’t mark a slowdown for Terry — it simply gave her more time to focus on service, applying her skills to communities and causes she cares about.

She currently serves on the advisory board for Biobehavioral Health at Penn State Greater Allegheny, supporting academic and community-focused initiatives. A long-time neighborhood leader, Terry has volunteered with her community association for years, serving two terms as president and focusing on safety, connection and long-term retention. Most recently, Terry joined the Neighborhood Resilience Project’s Community Transformation Collaborative, an effort centered on listening to residents and building healthier, safer communities.

Whether supporting community-centered initiatives or encouraging students from afar, Terry’s service is about more than time or tasks — it’s about showing up for the places and the people that shape us.

Want to make a difference for NIU students? Decorate cards and assemble student care packages at an upcoming Student Care Package Prep and Pizza Party in DeKalb or Naperville.

Interested in other ways to get involved? Contact Assistant Director of Volunteer Engagement Taylor Curry, M.P.A. ’25, at tcurry4@niu.edu.

Makayla Jackson’s ultimate career goal is to become a juvenile justice attorney, with a focus on preventing the school-to-jail pipeline.

Jackson, who aims to graduate in May 2026 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and certificates in criminology and nonprofit and NGO studies, has participated in two internships – one as an social-emotional learning facilitator for Family Service Agency and another for CASA DeKalb County. The internship program is a collaboration between the DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership, The Center for Nonprofit and NGO Studies and Career Services at NIU, supported by the Douglas C. and Lynn M. Roberts Family Foundation.

Internships like these represent a meaningful way NIU fulfills the Huskie Promise, by blending hands-on learning, career readiness and a commitment to community engagement. Through the Huskie Promise, NIU is dedicated to helping students graduate equipped with the knowledge, practical experience and sense of responsibility necessary to thrive after college.

“Through my time as a facilitator at Family Service Agency, I was able to really connect with the kids and ultimately become a safe space for them to talk to when they were in need,” she said. “Helping my mentee learn emotional regulation through situations really allowed me to learn new skills and reflect on the ways I coped with challenging situations.”

Jackson cited Julie Ann O’Connell, assistant director of the Center for Nonprofit and NGO Studies, as a mentor.

“These experiences wouldn’t have been possible without Julie Ann O’Connell as she taught me about adaptability and advocated for me in times of need,” Jackson said.

Jackson grew up on Chicago’s South Side and wanted to be an attorney since she was 11 years old. She purposefully chose to attend a high school with a pre-law program.

“I knew I wanted to be a voice for those who feel like they don’t have a voice or felt like they lost their voice,” she said.

She chose this path despite most of her family being in the nursing field.

“When I chose to study law and become a lawyer, my family saw how well my personality suited this career path along with how serious I was about becoming a lawyer,” she said.

Jackson, who will be first in her family to graduate college, chose NIU because its staff provided her support during the process of applying for college.

“They allowed me to ask as many questions as I needed in order to understand what university life would be like,” she said.

To help Huskies like Makayla achieve their goals, please visit the NIU Forward website.

Michael Potoniec, ’19, remembers having a discussion with his older sister when he was exploring colleges and majors.

“In high school, I had interests rooted in health care and helping others,” he said.

Potoniec, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in public health, had thought about becoming a physician. His sister, who was pursuing her master’s degree in epidemiology at the time, was telling him about the differences between direct health care and public health, which she had been learning about in her classes.

“I had this revelation and realized that I wanted to help as many people as possible and try to prevent health issues from occurring in the first place,” he said. “Once I had this realization, I knew I wanted to pursue public health and that’s when my journey started.”

Potoniec now works as a lead environmental health specialist with the DuPage County Health Department, training and supervising other environmental health specialists in the county. His job involves inspecting a wide variety of businesses for health violations.

“We conduct various inspections of restaurants, public pools and body art facilities to ensure they are operating within the applicable codes and ordinances to protect public health across the county,” he said. “We also investigate public health complaints related to codes and ordinances that we can enforce such as food borne illnesses, waterborne illnesses at pool facilities, and well and septic complaints at residential homes.”

While the job can be challenging, dealing with business owners and others while conducting inspections, it’s an opportunity to educate.

“These moments grant us invaluable opportunities to practice our communication skills to ensure compliance and educate operators on the importance of safe practices, such as handwashing, even if the conversations can be difficult,” he said. “Building rapport with our operators and creating mutual trust can help make these conversations become easier over time. This requires a great deal of patience and persistence, but the balance of being approachable and professional helps us achieve better outcomes for public health.”

Once he decided to make public health his major, Potoniec opted to attend NIU.

“While I was applying, I noticed that not many schools had an undergraduate program in public health, and I quickly realized that NIU was unique in that regard,” he said.

Potoniec received a merit scholarhip, which he said was a “significant factor” in attending NIU.

“I am incredibly grateful to have been able to attend NIU with that help,” he said.

Potoniec said he didn’t participate in many activities in high school, so he made a promise to himself that in college he would engage in activities that were interesting and impactful for his growth as a public health professional. He was involved in the Student Health Organization, becoming a member of its executive board and ultimately serving as the organization’s vice president and president during his time at NIU.

“Together, we at the SHO collaborated and hosted many volunteering events on campus to promote public health,” he said.

Potoniec also found a home in Stevenson Towers in its Health Professions House.

“It was a community that allowed students with similar study interests to live together and have some unique opportunities to connect with staff, volunteer and have a unique community,” he said.

He also became a housing ambassador to act as a liaison between the College of Health and Human Sciences and the residence halls.

“During the rest of my time at NIU, I lived in Health House as a Health House Ambassador to serve as a mentor with my floormates and help foster a community where people could connect, study together and create life-long friendships,” he said.

Potoniec highlighted two mentors who helped him: advisors Becky Pritchard and Sandi Splansky.

Pritchard informed him about the Centers for Disease Control’s Public Health Associate Program during his last year at NIU and encouraged him to apply. The program involves a two-year full-time position at the CDC where public health professionals get on-the-job training helping public health agencies across the country.

During his time with the CDC, he served the community of Tacoma, Washington, doing a great deal of COVID-19 response work.

“I am very proud of the work that I did during that time,” he said. “I am forever grateful for Becky informing me about this program and encouraging me to apply since it helped pave the way for my professional career in public health. Becky gave me the courage to apply for something I thought was a shot in the dark.”

Splansky, the former director of academic advising for CHHS, was his supervisor when he was an ambassador.

“Sandi offered immense knowledge and experience with not only helping me adapt to life on campus at NIU, including academic advising, professional networking and resume building, but also gave me the opportunity for me to become a leader to teach and mentor newer students at NIU as an ambassador to empower them to seize the many opportunities NIU has to offer,” he said.

Potoniec is grateful for the experiences he had while a student at NIU.

“These experiences have taught me to seize opportunities in my day-to-day life so I can continue to grow and prosper,” he said. “Opportunities are always out there, and NIU taught me to chase those opportunities.”

Potoniec also appreciates the ability that NIU gave him to give back to the community.

“NIU gave me an environment to support the community whenever I could through various volunteering events, mentoring my peers in Health House, and helping others get interested in giving back to the community,” he said. “This is something I strive for in my personal and professional life. NIU holds a special place in my heart for all the insightful and inspiring experiences I got to live in.”

This is just one example of how NIU prepares students to become community public health professionals and leaders. Discover how NIU is fortifying our future at niuforward.com.

Melydi Huyett, ’06, will bring her experience from a lengthy career in education when she steps into the role of superintendent of Dixon Public Schools on July 1.

Huyett currently serves as the principal of Centennial Elementary School the Polo Community Unit School District in Polo, Illinois, where she began as a teacher after graduating from NIU.

“My work centers on improving teaching and learning while ensuring schools are safe, inclusive and responsive to the needs of the students, staff and families,” she said.

Returning as superintendent is a homecoming for Huyett, who grew up in Dixon and attended Dixon Public Schools, along with her parents and her husband, Matt.

“Dixon has always been home, and growing up here has instilled in me strong values, a solid work ethic and a deep sense of community,” she said. “From an early age, I learned the importance of building relationships, serving others and showing up consistently — principles that continue to guide both my personal and professional life.”

Huyett attended NIU after transferring from Sauk Valley Community College. While pursuing her bachelor’s degree at NIU, Huyett continued to live in Dixon, where she had a job with the city that she’d held since she was a high school student.

“While commuting required strong time-management and organization skills, it also allowed me to remain connected to my home community while fully engaging in my academic program,” she said. “I also commuted with three other students from Dixon, which provided an added layer of support during my transition from community college to a university setting.”

The support she received at NIU as an incoming transfer student was crucial to her success.

“NIU offered a clear and supportive pathway for students transitioning from community college, which was important to me as I planned the next step in my academic journey,” she said.

As she settled into campus life, Huyett found that NIU’s educator-preparation philosophy mirrorored the kind of impact she hoped to make in her own career.

“The university’s focus on preparing educators who are grounded in practice, service and leadership closely aligned with my own values and career goals,” she said. “Guidance from faculty and advisors within the College of Education played a critical role in my success, particularly as a transfer and commuting student.”

Huyett was involved in the Honors Program.

“In addition, I was recognized by the College of Education for my dedication to the teaching profession and had the opportunity to serve on a committee that met with the NIU president to discuss various topics related to the student experience,” she said. “These opportunities strengthened my connection to the university and reinforced my commitment to education, leadership and service.”

Huyett recalled Mary Keil, an academic advisor who made a tremendous impact on her as she progressed through her academic career at NIU.

“As a transfer student, I benefited greatly from the guidance of an outstanding advisor in the College of Education, Mary, who was instrumental in keeping me connected and engaged with NIU,” she said. “Her support played a significant role in my academic success and sense of belonging at NIU.”

She added, “Mary’s mentorship went beyond academic advising; she modeled professionalism, compassion and dedication to students, qualities that continue to influence my own approach as an educational leader.”

In addition to her bachelor’s degree, in 2022 Huyett received a Chief School Business Official endorsement from NIU. She earned a Master of Arts degree in reading instruction and a Doctorate in Education from Aurora University. She also holds endorsements in educational leadership and administrative superintendent from AU.

She serves as a mentor and coach to new administrators in Illinois through the Illinois Principals’ Association (IPA) and serves on the Northwest Division IPA board as a treasurer. She also sits on the Whiteside Area Career Center (WACC) CEO board.

Her time at NIU taught her lessons that have stayed with her throughout her life.

“In my view, a true NIU Huskie embodies curiosity, resilience and a commitment to community, which are values central to NIU,” she said. “For me, NIU was more than an academic experience; it helped to shape how I approach leadership, education and service every day.”

This is just one example of how NIU prepares students to become education professionals and leaders. Discover how NIU is fortifying our future at niuforward.com.

Riley Day aims to graduate this May with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in visual communication and a minor in marketing.

“My ultimate career goal is to become a creative director, earn my master’s degree, and eventually teach at a university after I have built real experience in the field,” she said. “Before that, I would love to explore different areas like marketing, branding, advertising, and packaging design so I can experience it all and grow into a well-rounded designer.”

Day received scholarships to help offset her financial burdens, including from the O’Malley Pugh Endowment Fund.

“Receiving scholarships made it possible for me to focus more on my education and less on financial stress,” Day said. “When I learned I was receiving aid, I felt an enormous sense of relief and gratitude. It allowed me to fully dedicate myself to my academic and personal goals.”

Donors will have the opportunity to fund scholarships, as well as faculty and programs, during the upcoming Huskies United Day of Giving, April 1 and 2.

Day grew up in Cary, Illinois, with her mom and her brother, Tyler Day, ’23, who was the first in their family to attend college.

“Following in my brother’s footsteps and attending NIU has been very meaningful to me,” she said.

Day chose NIU because it was close to home and offered a strong visual communication program. While at NIU, she has been involved in the university’s chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management, or SHRM, serving as the chapter’s vice president of web development and analytics.

“This experience has allowed me to practice my web design skills, build professional connections and grow as a person,” she said. “It has strengthened my confidence and prepared me for future opportunities in design and marketing.”

Day called out her design instructor, Wendy Tritt, as a faculty member who has supported her journey.

“She pushes me to do my best while also being incredibly kind and uplifting,” Day said of Tritt. “She truly believes in her students and her confidence in me has helped shaped the designer I am today.”

When Day crosses the stage this May, she will carry more than a degree. She will carry the gratitude for the scholarship support that has made her journey possible. And, everything she does next will carry that momentum forward.

To support students like Lily through scholarships, faculty and programs during the Huskies United Day of Giving, click here.

Lily Seigel is working toward a bachelor’s degree in public health, aiming to graduate from NIU in December 2027, with the goal of working for a nonprofit or government agency addressing health disparities, particularly for women and families.

Her journey will be successful due to her hard work and the generosity of donors who have supported her and NIU.

A native of Rockford, Seigel’s parents encouraged her to seek a college degree after high school.

“But the question of how we would pay for it always lingered,” she said.

Seigel said a major deciding factor of choosing to attend NIU was the affordability.

“I did not have a college fund, and I knew scholarships would be my best bet for getting out with minimal debt,” she said. “The scholarships alleviated stress and that allows me to focus on my education and community involvement. Receiving scholarships helped me achieve my goals of exploring topics that I love and figuring out how I can use my knowledge to help people.”

In addition to an Advantage Grant, Seigel received an NIU merit scholarship.

Donors will have the opportunity to fund scholarships, as well as faculty and programs, during the upcoming Huskies United Day of Giving, April 1 and 2.

Seigel called NIU her perfect “Goldilocks school.”

“It’s close enough to home that I could go back on weekends if I want but far enough that I feel separate from my hometown,” she said. “I enjoy the size of the school as well; I can meet a ton of new people, but I still run into my friends around campus all the time!”

Seigel celebrated two mentors who have supported and encouraged her during her years at NIU: academic advisors Stephanie Kummerer at the Center for Nonprofit and NGO Studies and Becky Pritchard in the College of Health and Human Sciences.

“They have provided tremendous clarity for me,” Seigel said. “They are both incredibly patient and knowledgeable. I changed my major last semester from nursing, and I wasn’t positive about the route I wanted to go down. After meeting with them I felt empowered to make the best decision for myself.”

Seigel is currently interning with Community Coordinated Child Care in DeKalb, helping the organization design its website and building a plan to participate in the Give DeKalb County day of giving.

“I was able to find this amazing opportunity through the Center for Nonprofit and NGO Studies,” she said. “It has taught me important skills in professionalism and connected me to brilliant minds in the nonprofit sector.”

To support students like Lily through scholarships, faculty and programs during the Huskies United Day of Giving, click here.

When Bruce Bloom, 71, M.S.Ed. ’73, arrived at Northern Illinois University in the late 1960s, career resources were limited, and the structured support students rely on today didn’t exist.

Today, Bloom brings his lived experiences and expertise from a career in teaching and advising to support NIU students.

After graduating from NIU, Bloom was unsure of how to build a meaningful career; he spent several years drifting from one retail job to another. It was after attending two career development sessions offered by his employer, Montgomery Ward, that a clear career path emerged and one that he is still passionate about today: career readiness.

“It completely shifted my understanding of available resources and the world of career services,” he said. “I was then motivated to pursue an opportunity to teach classes like this.”

“Career readiness and student support are very important to me because, unfortunately, I experienced none,” he continued. “Career-readiness skills are critical for seeking employment and effectively managing your career. Supporting students in learning these skills gives them a sense of comfort, knowing that someone has their back.”

In the early 1990s, Bloom reconnected with NIU and served on two advisory groups: the Career Alumni Advisory Council (1993-2001), which supported career-management programs for alumni, and the College of Education Advisory Council (1993-2009), which focused on marketing. In recent years, he reconnected again to volunteer at NIU’s Career Fair Prep Workshop, reviewing resumes and discussing job-hunting strategies with students.

“When I saw NIU was investing in career readiness, I knew I wanted to be part of it,” he said. “I was impressed by the focus and commitment of the students who attended the clinic.”

The Career Fair Prep Workshop, which has since been transformed into a dynamic, single-day Career Success Clinic volunteer opportunity, became the start of Bloom’s ongoing commitment. Since then, he has participated in multiple NIU career support programs and enthusiastically joined fellow alumni in writing encouraging postcards and preparing care packages for students to read and open during finals week.

He believes alumni volunteers play a powerful role in student success.

“Volunteering is critical because it gives NIU an enormous resource of alumni with different backgrounds and experiences to tap into to assist students,” he said. “It establishes a strong, visible presence of alumni actively involved with the university.”

When asked what the most important advice is that he offers to students, he said, “Stay connected to the university, professors and other students. Become an active and involved alumnus, and develop your network through professional associations and friends.”

Bloom’s career spans roles in facilitating career management workshops at Moraine Valley Community College to advising engineering students at the Illinois Institute of Technology, where he also developed company partnerships to participate in career fairs. He served as adjunct faculty at both DeVry University and Robert Morris University — teaching three different career-management courses at Robert Morris, and at Devry teaching career development, principals of management, customer service, American history and contemporary world history.

Before these roles, and very early in his career, Bloom had an impactful experience at Xerox Corporation as a customer service representative.

“This was the best classroom and on-the-job training I ever received in customer service,” he said. “Xerox’s 12-week paid training class has served me well throughout my entire career.”

Bloom wrote about career development throughout his career. He began contributing career-management pieces to an internal Montgomery Ward newsletter, later writing a column for the former Chicagoland Job Source, Inc. and while taking coursework at Oakton Community College, contributed his “Bloom’s Business” column to its Occurrence newspaper.

In 1993, Bloom started his own career consulting services business. He developed and facilitated workshops on career management topics, including resume writing, interviewing, networking, cover letter writing and salary negotiation.

For Bloom, this work is personal. Having once navigated early career confusion alone, he hopes to help ensure today’s students and early professionals don’t face the same uncertainty without support.

“I know what it feels like to be unprepared,” he said. “If I can help a student avoid that feeling — even in a small way — that’s worth everything.”

NIU alumni volunteer their time in meaningful ways. Want to brainstorm ways you can get involved? Contact Assistant Director of Volunteer Engagement Taylor Curry, M.P.A. ’25, at tcurry4@niu.edu.