Adriana Betancourt, who transferred to NIU from McHenry County College, plans to graduate this May with a bachelor’s degree in marketing with a digital marketing certificate.

This could not have been done without help from generous donors who supported scholarships that were awarded to Betancourt.

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

Betancourt received the Randall N. Beck Memorial Scholarship and a transfer student merit scholarship to help get her across the finish line to graduation.

“These awards have provided meaningful financial support and have allowed me to focus more fully on my academic goals, leadership involvement and professional development opportunities,” she said.

Betancourt’s major has allowed her to discover her voice and her purpose.

“I learned that marketing extends beyond strategy or promotion; it is rooted in storytelling, connection and impact,” she said. “This understanding shaped the way I became involved on campus and the communities I chose to serve.”

Betancourt chose NIU because it was close to home; she wanted to remain connected to her family while she pursued her education. She also, however, knew the stellar reputation of the College of Business and its world class faculty.

“From the moment I stepped into Barsema Hall, I felt like I was in an environment where students are pushed to lead, grow and make an impact beyond the classroom,” she said. “As a transfer student, finding a school that combined both community and opportunity was important to me, and NIU offered exactly that.”

Last summer, Betancourt interned at the insurance brokerage firm HUB International. This was an experience that pushed her to grow personally and professionally.

“The team gave me meaningful opportunities to learn, ask questions, and gain real-world insight into the industry, while also encouraging me to enjoy every moment of the experience,” she said. “Through this internship, I strengthened my communication skills, gained confidence in professional settings, and learned how the concepts I study in the classroom translate into real business strategy. It helped me return to NIU to be more motivated, more focused and more prepared to take on leadership and academic challenges.”

Betancourt understands that leadership comes from service. She is involved with the Society for Human Resources Management, the Dean’s Student Advisory Board and Pi Sigma Epsilon, and has been a member of the Hispanic Business Student Association.

“Being visible in these spaces has challenged me to grow, while reinforcing the responsibility that comes with leadership using platforms to uplift others, highlight their stories and leave each space better than you found it,” she said.

Additionally, Betancourt has served as an NIU Foundation student ambassador. The NIU Foundation Student Ambassador Program is designed to engage students in philanthropy, support Foundation initiatives and strengthen the culture of giving on campus. Ambassadors serve as peer leaders who promote Huskies United, participate in outreach and represent the Foundation at key events.

“As a student who has benefited from scholarships throughout my academic journey, this opportunity allows me to give back to the support systems that made my education possible,” she said. “It is my way of honoring the opportunities I have received and helping ensure that future students can access the same resources.”

A first-generation college student, Betancourt cited a number of personal mentors and influences that have encouraged her to persevere.

“Some of my influences in my life are no longer physically present, yet their lessons continue to guide every step I take,” she said.

These influences include her late father and grandfather, and her mother. After her father passed when she was five years old, Betancourt’s mother became her constant source of strength and ensured that education remained a priority in her daughter’s life.

“The influence of my dad, my grandfather, my mom and the mentors who supported me continue to shape who I am and how I lead,” she said. “Their belief in education, resilience and hard work laid the foundation for everything I pursue today.”

NIU faculty and staff also took the time to guide her, encourage her and challenge her to see her potential more clearly.

“Their support played a huge role in helping me navigate college with more confidence and reminded me that success is rarely achieved alone. I have learned that it is okay to ask for help and ask questions,” she said.

Betancourt embodies the Huskie spirit in her grit and determination, and the community she found in the College of Business helped cement that.

“While there were moments of self-doubt and uncertainty, giving up was never part of the example I was raised with,” she said. “The College of Business provided not only academic opportunities, but a strong community that challenged me to grow, lead and believe in my potential.”

Betancourt moves forward at NIU with gratitude.

“I know my achievements are not mine alone, but part of a legacy built on sacrifice, guidance and hope,” she said. “Looking ahead, I’m excited to explore opportunities beyond just marketing, while continuing to use storytelling, creativity and strategy in meaningful ways. More than any specific role, I want to build a career that allows me to grow, give back and create impact.”

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

Kristen Brown, ’03, embodies the power and potential of women in athletics leadership — an impact she first discovered at NIU. There, her daily experiences as a student-athlete quietly shaped her understanding that women can excel in every area of sports administration.

As point guard for the NIU Women’s Basketball team, Brown had no idea that a female athletic director was, at the time, a rarity nationwide.

“Cary Groth [NIU athletic director from 1994-2004] was probably one of less than 10 female athletic directors at the Division I level,” Brown said. “In fact, when I was at NIU, I believe most senior athletic leaders were from underrepresented groups. Only after graduation, when I started working in college athletics, did I realize just how rare women and people of color were in leadership roles.”

Today, building on those formative experiences, Brown serves as the deputy athletic director and senior woman administrator for Nebraska Athletics. She leads with intention and awareness, knowing student-athletes may look to her as proof of what their future could hold.

“Because I had NIU Athletics leadership as examples, I never thought I could be anything less than an AD or a senior leader in this industry,” she said.

In 2025, Brown was appointed to the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee — achieving a goal she had aspired to reach for more than two decades.

“It’s an honor to serve on any NCAA committee, but to be appointed to the Women’s Basketball Committee is even more meaningful to me,” Brown said. “Basketball has been such a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. I have watched women’s basketball evolve and grow so much over the last 40-plus years, and to now have an opportunity to help lead that growth on the collegiate level is so special.”

Brown and the committee evaluate teams that do not automatically qualify for the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament. They rank teams to determine matchups, determine logistics and more. All decisions are made with integrity and in accordance with strict NCAA policies.

At Nebraska, Brown directly oversees women’s basketball and volleyball, but she is passionate about supporting all student-athletes.

“I feel super fortunate to have the career that I do,” Brown said. “I get to work in sport and use it as a vehicle to help develop, mentor and grow young people. I want them to succeed in all aspects of their lives, and I’m willing to do just about anything — within the rules — to help them succeed.”

Brown admits that her time at NIU wasn’t always easy. She said she struggled athletically and academically at times, but she remains grateful. Those experiences not only set her on her path, but also help her support student-athletes today.

“My time at NIU was such an important part of my journey,” she said. “I initially chose NIU for a basketball scholarship and proximity to my home in Rockford, but that decision led to some of the best friends, moments and opportunities of my life.”

In 2025, Brown returned to NIU as a panelist for National Girls and Women in Sports Day, where she discussed her unexpected career in administration.

Brown wanted to be the next Pat Summitt, the prolific University of Tennessee Lady Vols basketball coach. After a career-ending injury in her junior year at NIU, she took an athletics intern role the next year. She remembers Professor Rodney Caughron, Ph.D., and former Director of Events Jay Lowe suggesting a future in administration.

Brown remained committed to coaching and, upon graduating, took an internship assisting with the planning of Big Ten Women’s Basketball tournaments. Hoping to network with coaches, she instead found herself at a conference table with senior athletic leaders. Only then did she realize she could impact student-athletes and the sport from the boardroom as much as on the courtside.

She went on to work for the Big Ten Conference as associate director of championships and women’s basketball operations. She also served as director of sport administration for the BIG EAST Conference, associate AD for administration at the University of Maryland, and deputy AD/senior woman administrator at Texas A&M University before coming to Nebraska in 2024.

“When I was going through college, I could have never dreamed of this professional journey,” Brown said. “I thought I was destined for a career in coaching. But I’m so thankful for Dr. Caughron, Jay, Cary, and many others from my time at NIU, who believed in me and saw something that I couldn’t.”

Brown is excited for what’s next — believing we are only at the beginning of what’s possible for women’s sports. The progress, however, reinforces a truth she learned long ago: “If you see it, you can believe you can do it too.”

Learn how you can help inspire the next generation of leaders at niuforward.com.

Attorney Susan Pesch, ’88, has been honored with the 2025 ALIGHT Impact Award for dedicating her legal expertise to support survivors of human trafficking.

ALIGHT (Alliance to Lead Impact In Global Human Trafficking) connects survivors who have suffered human trafficking to the appropriate attorney who will offer free legal help. Pesch got involved with the nonprofit organization after meeting its founder, Marianna Kosharovsky, at a conference in 2018. She has remained an active advocate since.

“I was looking for a way to give back in a way that was meaningful to me,” Pesch said. “Learning about ALIGHT inspired me to offer my services to those who needed it most. It is my practice to always have one ALIGHT matter on my caseload.”

Through ALIGHT’s app, Pesch consistently steps forward for volunteer opportunities with generosity.

“If I can help, I will,” she remarked.

During a prior volunteer engagement where she counseled women, Pesch learned about the philosophy of practicing trauma-informed care. Using this framework, which recognizes the widespread impact of an individual’s trauma, Pesch is there for survivors to talk through their feelings with a steady presence as both a listener and advocate.

“I represent a survivor as zealously as I would any other client,” she said. “However, to truly assist the survivor, I practice trauma-informed care. I do not judge; I cannot walk in their shoes, but I can be their advocate when they are too scared to truly speak for themselves — like when their trafficker is present in the same Courtroom for the hearing.”

Dedicated to ALIGHT’s mission, Pesch responded to an urgent matter posted on the app on Christmas Eve. She noted that since then, she has been viewed as the go-to attorney in family law when matters arise that other attorneys have not responded to or cannot take on due to their complexity.

Pesch opened her own firm in Colorado, Pesch Law Office PC, and specializes in family law, often taking on high-needs cases. Previously, she practiced in Illinois, where she maintains her license but is inactive. She leads her practice with caring support and relentless advocacy.

Raised in St. Charles, Illinois, by two caring and supportive parents, Pesch says her thoughtful approach to guiding families through divorce is rooted in the strong example they set for her.

“Divorce is a stressful event that is often so overwhelming for the parent,” Pesch said. “If I can support a parent through the process, then that parent is better equipped to be there for their child who is navigating their own complex feelings. Every child deserves caring and supportive parents, as I had.”

Her parents may have shaped her interest in family law, but it was a high school class that sparked her desire to pursue the legal profession. During her senior year at St. Charles High School, Pesch took a business law class taught by Ray Rogina.

“This was my first encounter with the legal world,” she said. “As part of class, we conducted a mock trial. My role was that of an attorney. Preparing for that role and questioning witnesses was exciting for me. From that point, I decided to become a litigation attorney.”

Pesch reconnected with Mr. Rogina a few years after she was a practicing attorney. She thanked him and shared how his class led her to law school.

“Mr. Rogina changed the course of my life,” she said. “Prior to this experience, I was planning to be an elementary school teacher. But after his class, my destiny was sealed.”

Pesch earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from NIU in 1988 and a Juris Doctor from Loyola University Chicago in 1991. She said she received a well-rounded education at NIU, studying constitutional law, chemistry, child behavior, public policy, symbolic logic, persuasion and art history, to name a few.

“In 1984, the most common major for those interested in attending law school was political science,” she said. “There wasn’t a universal bar exam at the time, either. I enjoyed learning about many topics in the major, and I minored in philosophy for balance. I was involved in the student senate and was also part of the Honors Program and graduated with honors.”

Pesch believes knowledge is power and that education is something that can never be taken away from an individual. She credits NIU for helping to prepare her for law school.

“The exposure to a variety of subjects at NIU left my mind open to accept the critical thinking of law school,” she said. “I am grateful for my time at NIU.”

Through her education and early career, Pesch developed a powerful blend of tenacity and critical thinking, allowing her to approach cases from multiple perspectives and explore unconventional angles. She is proud of her relentless drive and honored to be recognized with the ALIGHT Impact Award for it.

“I am just doing what I can to help those brave enough to change their circumstances,” Pesch said. “The survivor does the hard work. I just walk alongside them.”

Learn how you can help inspire the next generation of leaders and advocates at niuforward.com.

From a young ESL student in Rochelle, Illinois, to a Marine Corps veteran and experienced educator, Billy Hueramo’s journey has come full circle — poised to lead DeKalb Community Unit School District 428 as its next superintendent effective July 1, 2026.

Hueramo first taught in District 428 as a student teacher at Clinton Rosette Middle School in 2007, and he has remained committed to the district ever since.

His journey illustrates that setbacks do not have to define your future. Instead, they can shape your purpose.

“My parents always strived to ensure my siblings and I could have a better education than they had,” Hueramo said. “My mother was only educated up to second grade, and my father to sixth grade. They pushed us to perform well in school.”

Although raised in Rochelle, Hueramo’s parents were Mexican natives, and Spanish was the only language spoken at home. He credits his ESL teacher, Fred Rivera, with embracing him as a young Spanish speaker and helping him take pride in his Spanish, seeing it as an asset rather than a deficit.

At the age of 16, Hueramo’s father passed away. He is grateful to have found Charles Albertson, a supportive DeKalb County community member, who became a second father to him. Albertson continued to champion education and helped Huermo stay on course. Hueramo graduated from Rochelle Township High School and was the first in his family to earn a high school diploma. In 2000, he joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve. In 2004, he was deployed to Fallujah, Iraq.

“I believe that you need friction in your life to be successful,” Hueramo said. “As you go through struggles in your life and overcome obstacles, it builds your self-confidence and defines who you truly are.”

Despite difficulties learning English while growing up and a general dislike of school early on, Hueramo earned his bachelor’s degree in elementary education and teaching from Aurora University in 2007.

“I almost quit college,” he said. “I found myself struggling to stay on track and wasn’t always making good choices about prioritizing my education and future. I was hanging out with a crowd that didn’t share my values or my desire to find a better path for my life. I wasn’t moving forward, and, thankfully, I had an epiphany about where my education faltered in middle school, so I decided to set a goal of becoming a middle school math teacher.”

Hueramo earned a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration from Aurora University in 2012, a master’s in literacy education and a minor in English from NIU in 2009, and an educational specialist degree in educational administration from NIU in 2020 — credentials that prepared him for a superintendent role.

“NIU gave me the education I needed while staying local in DeKalb,” Hueramo said. “I received tuition waivers and encountered supportive and encouraging professors. NIU opened the door for career growth and more opportunities.”

Hueramo has steadily advanced through District 428, serving in multiple key roles, including principal at Littlejohn and director of teaching and learning for Pre-K through fifth grade.

“I felt welcome in the district from the start,” Hueramo said. “As I moved around the district, I got to meet people and build relationships. Having the opportunity to experience multiple roles has kept me humble and built a ‘boots on the ground’ mentality.”

As he prepares to step into the superintendent role, Hueramo is both excited and nervous.

“I hope to accomplish my vision of building a student-centered district where leadership is visible, staff feel valued and supported, and our students are encouraged as they strive to achieve their personal academic and career goals,” Hueramo said. “I love the diversity we have, and I want to make sure we embrace it.”

For Hueramo, the work is personal. He sees himself in many of the students he now serves — ESL students learning a new language, navigating family challenges, or simply searching for confidence. Their experiences mirror his own, and that connection drives him to create opportunities and support he once needed himself.

During the transition and as he grows, Hueramo aims to “maximize every opportunity, embrace every struggle as a lesson, and stay humble,” knowing that District 428 can change a student’s trajectory, just as education changed his.

Learn how NIU is shaping the next generation of leaders at niuforward.com.

Gareth Elkins, ’21, is currently a registered nurse working at the prestigious Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and this fall, he will enter a doctoral program at the clinic’s medical school. Elkins said his experience at NIU helped him prepare for his career and future goals.

“My two main reasons for coming to NIU were because of the nursing program’s great reputation and its affordability,” he said. “Having graduated and been gone for four years now, I’ve found that the program’s reputation is richly deserved for the ability to get a quality education at an affordable price.”

Elkins is a charge nurse in the Neurosciences Intensive Care Unit at Mayo Clinic.

“I am part of an amazing group of healthcare providers who help manage patients who are acutely very sick and need lifesaving care related to neurological problems,” he said. “We mainly deal with patients who have suffered ischemic strokes, aneurysm ruptures, and traumatic brain injuries, but also deal with anything from spine problems to neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and Guillain-Barre syndrome.”

This fall, Elkins begins the 39-month Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice Program at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.

“I will be training to become an advanced practice nurse that specializes in providing anesthesia care for patients,” he said. “My goal is to one day work alongside surgeons and the surgical team in operating rooms during procedures.”

Elkins grew up in Naperville enjoying sports.

“Before coming to NIU, I was mainly an athlete throughout my childhood but being 5’6″ I was limited in the sports I could be truly competitive in,” he said. “I stuck to wrestling and gymnastics and was lucky to be a fairly accomplished athlete in both sports.”

While at NIU, Elkins was active in the Gymnastics Club and lived with some fellow club members off campus for the last two years before graduating. During his first two years at NIU, he lived in Stevenson Towers and the Fanny Ruth Patterson Complex.

Elkins was also involved with the Northern Prairie Alliance organization for NIU nursing students.

“Some of the best friends I made in college were through both of those organizations, and having been a brand-new kid to DeKalb, with little to no connections, I couldn’t have made it through those four years without the folks in the gymnastics club,” he said.

Elkins recalls associate nursing professor Cristan Sabio as a helpful and impactful presence.

“With nursing being a female-dominated profession, it was very impactful to have someone like Dr. Sabio, who was my only male professor, passionately teach the content that he did and help all of us as dedicatedly as he did,” he said. “It helped us all feel capable of succeeding in his course, but more so in this career, and for fellow guys such as myself, he showed that there is a place for us in this career as well.”

“Representation in all facets of life is immensely important, as seeing someone such as yourself succeeding in the things you’re interested in helps with your confidence, determination and comfortability in that area,” Elkins continued. “It really allows you to feel as though you can do whatever it is you aim to do.”

This is just one example of how NIU prepares students to become professionals on healthcare’s front lines. Discover how NIU is fortifying our future at niuforward.com.

Lia Martinez, a nonprofit and nongovernmental organization (NNGO) studies major, wants to start her own organization to help those in need. Participating in an NNGO studies internship program has helped her expand her educational experiences and has inspired her to give back.

Community-engaged internships are a tangible way NIU delivers on the Huskie Promise – combining experiential learning, career preparation and civic responsibility. Through the Huskie Promise, NIU commits to ensuring students graduate with the skills, experience and sense of responsibility needed to succeed.

Among the opportunities Martinez has taken advantage of is being a marketing intern for the Egyptian Theatre in downtown DeKalb in 2025, through an internship program that 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. This spring semester 2026 Martinez is currently serving as an intern in NNGO’s Huskie Closet, and is supported by NIU’s Day of Giving and fall crowdfunding programs.

Both have given Martinez incredibly enriching experiences that will help her professional and personal growth while at the same time supporting the greater community.

“My internship with the Egyptian Theatre was so much fun and I genuinely felt a part of the DeKalb community due to the work I was doing,” Martinez said. “It was exciting getting to interview performers and write articles for the website. I loved being able to interview someone, learn their story and sometimes see those shows as a volunteer. Seeing the community with smiles on their faces after a performance also gave me a warm fuzzy feeling that pushed me to give that internship my best.”

She added, “With all the insights learned from the behind the scenes in that internship and now working with the Huskie Closet, I am so excited to see where all that accumulated knowledge will be able to take me forward. I already have some ideas cooking so I’m excited to see where it takes me in my field and the positive impact it will make in our community.”

Martinez has had help from nonprofit organizations, and assistance from scholarships that have allowed her to continue her schooling. These experiences have inspired her to give back in her own way.

“My ultimate goal is to create my own nonprofit organization that provides services to people in need of food and housing security,” she said.

The challenges Martinez has faced within her own family, and the support they were shown, have moved her to be of service to others.

Martinez, whose father died when she was seven months old, grew up on Chicago’s northwest side with her mother and sister. Her family received survivors’ benefits, but when those ended in 2024, the family needed to move, which Martinez said was challenging.

Martinez said the family sought help from an organization that assisted them with maintaining SNAP grocery benefits and other basics.

“My mom’s dementia was also progressing faster than anticipated which made the situation feel very heavy,” she said. “Thankfully, PWP Health was able to help us maintain our SNAP benefits to at least help with food and figure out a solution. Eventually, with the help of our family I was able to move in with my sister and my mom moved in with her sisters and brother-in-law. The organization genuinely came to our rescue and have helped us through this situation.”

An NIU alumnus, Seleena Vilchez, ’18, who is a friend of her sister encouraged her to apply to the university and pursue a degree.

“I will be the first within my little family of three to graduate from a four-year university and I’m very grateful to everyone that has helped me throughout this crazy journey,” she said.

It was because of generous donors that Martinez was able to attend and continue her schooling. Beyond finances, she was able to find a supportive community at NIU.

“Coming from a background of not always having funds for some things, I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to cover the cost of college, but NIU has supported me in ways I didn’t expect,” she said. “I have been able to find a place where I have wonderful friends, great professors that push and support my professional goals, options for internships, jobs, and other opportunities, and a place I feel at home.”

Martinez is grateful for those who have given and continue to support students like her.

“You provide a great and necessary service for people that otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to attend NIU and find opportunities beyond school,” she said. “I can say with certainty that any donation provided for students will help them! I am living proof of this fact. I am so grateful for the donors that have helped make all of my successes possible for me and I know future students will as well!”

Martinez aims to earn her Bachelor of the Arts degree in 2027.

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

The story of Aman Udani, M.S. ’96, has it all: that trademark Huskie grit, a hefty dose of gratitude for an impactful NIU professor, and tremendous success in the business world on his own terms.

Udani’s story begins in his home country of India, where he left in 1990 to pursue his college education in the United States, starting at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.

At Benedictine, Udani met his undergraduate advisor, Dr. Alfred “Doug” Brothers, ’62, who encouraged him to pursue graduate study at NIU. Though reluctant at first, Udani followed his mentor’s advice after a brief job search out West. He chose NIU for its strong physics program and faculty ties to Fermilab and Argonne National Laboratory.

“Among all the places, NIU was the best from my perspective,” Udani said.

While at NIU, Udani, who had worked at a planetarium in his hometown of Bombay, helped lead the renovation and reopening of the Davis Hall Observatory, which had fallen into disrepair.

NIU President Lisa C. Freeman praised the effort, saying, “Aman started giving back to NIU before he even left.”

One of the reasons Udani was so enamored with NIU was his graduate school advisor.

“Clyde Kimball, my advisor, was not just a phenomenal physicist and a phenomenal person at NIU,” he said. “Clyde did tremendous things for the students that were under his tutelage. I was fortunate enough to be one of them. He didn’t just teach me about physics, but he taught me a lot about life.”

Kimball, who passed away in 2015, was a giant in the world of physics and a pioneering NIU professor who helped forge the university’s early partnerships with Fermilab. He was part of NIU’s first class of Presidential Research Professors.

“Dr. Kimball’s students all say the same thing,” said Ray Earl-Jackson, NIU’s vice president of philanthropy and alumni engagement. “He was always there, always accessible. He’d give it to you straight, but in a caring and supportive way.”

Kimball gave Udani some much-needed advice when he received an offer in 1995 to join a startup wireless technology firm. Udani’s trusted professor encouraged him to focus on finishing his thesis so he could graduate with his master’s degree before joining the company.

Kimball’s message was clear.

“Don’t join them tomorrow,” he told Udani. “You’re this close to your degree. Write your thesis, graduate, and then go.”

That guidance would shape Udani’s next three decades. After earning his master’s degree from NIU, he entered the fast-evolving telecommunications field, applying the analytical skills he gained through physics to real-world innovation. He joined Wireless Facilities, Inc. as one of its earliest employees and helped it grow from a small startup into a global company with several thousand engineers in more than 60 countries.

His success there led to new ventures, including pioneering at Global Technology Associates (GTA), where he served as one of the managing partners and guided the firm’s expansion to about 500 employees across more than 30 countries before its 2019 sale.

When Udani’s wife found out she was expecting a baby the following year, he began to reimagine his purpose.

“I realized my life was about to change,” he said. “You have to define who you are and what makes you happy, then go do that. The accolades and success will follow.”

The pandemic soon reinforced that choice, prompting him to leave corporate life and dedicate his energy to mentoring and investing in early-stage companies.

Those who work with him say he finds equal joy in developing people and ideas. Whether advising young founders or supporting NIU students, his leadership reflects generosity, curiosity, and a belief that progress is a shared endeavor.

Throughout his career, Udani has continued to broaden his expertise in business, finance, operations and leadership. The discipline he learned at NIU still guides his approach: focus on what matters, see the patterns and decide with reason.

While thriving in his telecommunications career, Udani learned that Kimball was being honored by fellow NIU researchers and faculty. At the banquet celebrating his mentor, Udani had a quiet moment to thank him privately.

“He was in a wheelchair by that time,” Udani recalled. “I knelt next to him and we talked, just the two of us. Inside the room, everyone wanted a moment with him, but in that quiet hallway, I finally had the chance to thank him and tell him why he meant so much to me.”

Not long after that meeting, Kimball passed away.

“I’m so grateful I had that moment,” he said.

Udani realized there were many others who had shaped his life and deserved his gratitude.

“I made a list of all the people I needed to thank before it was too late,” he said. “All of us have a few individuals who touch our lives. I had maybe half a dozen on that list and made it a point to thank them in person, even flying halfway around the world. The last thing Clyde taught me was the importance of saying thanks.”

Udani said his training in physics shaped how he approaches business, focusing on the questions that matter and learning to filter out the noise.

Professor Vishnu Zutshi, chair of NIU’s Department of Physics, noted that Udani remains endlessly curious.

“Curiosity is what made us who we are as a species,” he said. “You have to foster it, channel it.”

When Udani visited NIU in October 2024, his focus was on the students. He remembered what it felt like to be in their shoes, seeking guidance, building connections and finding direction.

“It was a full day,” recalled Earl-Jackson. “At every stop, Aman had an idea or suggestion, a way to help. He represents the DNA of NIU. The pride is in the pack. When you meet a Huskie, you know they’ve worked hard, and you know they care.”

For Udani, his motivation is simple: “Somebody helped me when I was a student. Now it’s my turn.”

To support faculty and help inspire discovery at NIU, visit niuforward.com.

Tom, ’85, and Mary Jane (Daneck) Dee, ’85, know firsthand how the right opportunities can change a student’s life.

As first‑generation college graduates, they arrived at NIU with ambition and found the everyday experiences that shaped their futures: a class that sparked a new career direction, a residence‑hall job that built confidence, and relationships that grounded their lifelong Huskie pride.

Today, those early moments fuel their commitment to helping current students access the same kind of transformational experiences. That’s why the Dees are strong supporters of the Huskie Promise, a top funding priority of FORWARD: The Campaign for NIU.

“We firmly believe that today’s Huskie is tomorrow’s future, and no other school works harder to prepare leaders than NIU,” Tom said. “Supporting the Huskie Promise opens the door to meaningful, life‑shaping experiences for all students, regardless of their background or the obstacles they face.”

For the Dees, the Huskie Promise resonates because it goes beyond scholarships. It strengthens the full network of academic, financial and holistic resources students need to thrive and persist to graduation.

“Every student needs something a little different to succeed,” Mary Jane said. “The Huskie Promise makes room for all of them.”

The Dees’ NIU experiences became the foundation for successful careers, community leadership, and decades of continued engagement with NIU — from athletics and alumni programs to scholarships supporting Chicago‑area students. Read their full story here.

Learn how you can help inspire the next generation of leaders at niuforward.com.

Kevin Russell, ’99, knows that being a Huskie is something special.

“A true NIU Huskie is someone who knows success is defined by more than just professional achievement; it is built on a foundation of hard work, deep empathy and the enduring power of relationships,” he said.

Russell currently serves as superintendent of Downers Grove Grade School District 58, which is the same district where he began as a student teacher following his graduation from NIU.

“I am very proud to have the opportunity to lead District 58,” he said. “This district allowed me the opportunity to student teach and then hired me for my first job in education as a teacher. Very few people get to lead the district where they taught. I never take that for granted!”

After teaching in District 58 for seven years, Russell served in administrative roles in districts in Hinsdale and Chicago Ridge before returning to District 58 as superintendent in 2019.

As superintendent, he oversees 13 schools, 5,000 students and 650 staff members in a district with an annual budget of approximately $100 million.

“As superintendent, I work closely with the Board of Education to ensure that the district functions at a high level and that all students succeed academically, emotionally and socially,” he said.

In 2024, he was named a Superintendent of Distinction by the Illinois Association of School Administrators.

“The best part about this recognition is that my fellow superintendents voted for who receives the honor,” he said. “There is nothing better than being recognized by your colleagues – especially given the high level of talent that exists in the state of Illinois in terms of leaders.”

In addition to his roles as an educator and an administrator, Russell is the father of seven children, the oldest a senior in college and the youngest 11 years old and in sixth grade. Sadly, his wife Melissa died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 46.

“I am a single dad who balances a demanding job with a big family. My kids mean everything to me,” he said.

Russell was raised in the same area where he now leads students and educators, growing up in nearby Woodridge and later graduating from Downers Grove North High School. He is one of four children, and two of his siblings are involved in education – one as a dean and the other as a teacher. His parents made education a priority in their household.

“Education was very important to my parents, and they always made sure that I took school seriously and put forth the best effort possible,” he said. “Like many others, my parents made significant sacrifices to help support their children so they could attend college and chase their dreams.”

Russell chose to attend NIU because he wanted a college experience that was close to home and affordable, and at a university with a good reputation. He had several friends who attended NIU and had a chance to visit the campus several times when he was in high school.

He received scholarship support via his fraternity, Phi Sigma Kappa.

“NIU was a perfect match for me in terms of education and building lifelong relationships in my career and personal life,” he said.

Russell lived in the dorms during his freshman year and then moved into the Phi Sigma Kappa house off campus for the rest of his time at NIU. He was actively involved in the fraternity as well as education clubs and intramural sports.

Russell named three professors he had who were mentors to him: Taylor Atkins and Nancy Wingfield in the Department of History and C. Daniel Dillman in the Department of Geography.

“All three professors were outstanding teachers,” he said. “I not only learned important content from these three outstanding professors, but they also served as mentors to me as I navigated earning my degree.”

After earning his bachelor’s degree in history and teacher’s certification from NIU, Russell went on to earn a Master of Education degree from National Louis University in 2007, an administrative certification from Aurora University in 2007 and a Doctor of Education degree from Aurora University in 2013.

In addition to his role as superintendent, Russell serves as an adjunct professor at the University of St. Francis, primarily teaching doctoral students who are studying education.

Russell learned about the value of relationship building and honing a strong work ethic at NIU.

“One of the biggest lessons I learned at NIU is that relationships matter,” he said. “Whether it was working closely with my professors or meeting new people at NIU, developing strong relationships with people makes a difference. I am grateful for the relationships I built at NIU and am proud to share that I frequently speak with and get together with many people from NIU.”

He continued, “NIU also taught me that hard work pays off. I was fortunate to have so many professors who valued hard work. They helped instill a strong work ethic in me that I carry today as a dad and superintendent.”

This is just one example of how NIU empowers students to become leaders who shape tomorrow’s world. Discover how NIU is fortifying our future at niuforward.com.

Michele Herlein, ’89, M.A. ’90, has deep roots at NIU, and she brings the lessons and values from those years to her roles in the business world.

Herlein is the chief people officer for Bridgestone West, where she “partners with leaders and teammates across the organization to strengthen culture, accelerate leadership development, and advance priorities that support business performance.” She is also the founder and CEO of CultureMax, a company that consults with corporations to build a strong culture within their ecosystems.

“I help organizations design cultures that foster high performance, collaboration and growth,” Herlein said. “My proven methodology of aligning both the horizontal and vertical aspects of an organization ensures that culture is integrated into every facet of the business. My efforts have earned me recognition as HR Executive of the Year by the Middle Tennessee Society for Human Resource Management, and I take pride in helping my clients consistently outperform industry standards in both employee satisfaction and financial results.”

Herlein has also authored a book, Cultural Excellence: A Leader’s Guide to Strengthening the Heart of Your Organization, which gives leaders a hands-on guide to designing culture with purpose and precision.

“My most rewarding parts of my job are helping organizations and people thrive through my focus on organizational culture,” she said. “I have had great success with many companies and I like that people feel valued from their work.”

Prior to founding CultureMax, Herlein held executive positions at Barge Design Solutions and Bandag, Inc.

Herlein grew up in DeKalb and was surrounded by the Huskie spirit. Her father, Anthony Scaperlanda, was an economics professor at NIU from 1964 to 1998. Four of her siblings received NIU degrees: Mark, ’87, Greg, ’88, Angela, ’90, and Tonia, ’90.

All of the Scaperlanda siblings were attending college around the same time, so they all lived at home. Having a father who was a professor at NIU helped the family financially and helped solidify the choice to attend NIU.

Herlein said she attended Kishwaukee Community College before deciding to attend NIU.

“I was an older student,” she said. “By the time I made that decision, I was a very serious student and committed to studying and learning.”

Herlein said she learned crucial lessons while a student at NIU. She said she was glad that she had a well-rounded education as a Huskie.

“The biggest lesson I learned is that what you believe, you can achieve,” she said. “I also really loved all the classes that were general electives outside of my major. I remember enjoying geology and archaeology a lot. Having a well-rounded knowledge base has kept me curious about learning in my life.”

In addition to her Bachelor of Science degree in marketing with a minor in economics and her Master of Arts degrees from NIU, Herlein earned her Doctor of Business Administration degree from St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa, in 2009.

“Before NIU, I thought I would be an accountant because I loved numbers and had taken several accounting classes in high school and at Kishwaukee Community College,” she said. “After deciding to start at NIU, I switched my major to marketing, and I am so glad I did. It suits my personality so much better.”

Herlein counts her father and her brother Greg as her greatest mentors.

“My father always supported my studies, and when I had my first child on Christmas break of my senior year, I decided after graduating that I would continue with my master’s degree,” she said. “He was the one who directed me to the office to get signed up not only for school but also for a teaching assistantship that could help me with my tuition. His rule was that he would help with undergraduate expenses, and it was up to us to fund additional degrees.”

She added, “My brother helped me realize that I had the potential of getting A’s in class. In high school, I was not an A student and didn’t see myself that way. He showed me what was possible and I ended up graduating magna cum laude.”

This is just one example of how NIU empowers students to become leaders who shape tomorrow’s world. Discover how NIU is fortifying our future at niuforward.com.