College of Education
Northern Illinois University
Graham Hall
DeKalb, IL 60115
Phone: (815) 753-1948
Fax: (815) 753-2100
cedu@niu.edu
The College of Education recommends students become involved in professional organizations in order to increase their awareness of the field of education, issues in education, and to improve leadership and communication skills.
AER is the only international membership dedicated to rendering support and
assistance to professionals who work in all phases of education and rehabilitation
of blind and visually impaired children and adults. The NIU chapter of AER
provides such support to university students who are training to become teachers
of children or adults who have visual impairments -- through professional
activities such as conference attendance, guest speakers, and field trips;
service activities that involve members in the community working with visually
Adviser: Dr. Toni Heinze (815)
753-8452
The worldwide mission of the CEC is to improve educational outcomes for exceptional
individuals. The NIU Student Chapter (SCEC) pursues this mission by organizing
informational presentations for prospective educators and by providing service
to organizations serving students with disabilities. SCEC welcomes individuals
from all disciplines and programs.
Adviser: Sharon Wyland (815)
753-8359
The IEA Student Program is a pre-professional organization for undergraduate
and graduate students who are preparing for careers in education. When a student
joins, they will be a part of the 97,000 member Illinois Education Association,
the largest professional organization for teachers in the state. They will
also be affiliated with the National Education Association, a network of state
associations that has two million members and is a major force in shaping
the nation’s education agenda.
Future educators on more than three dozen public and private Illinois college
campuses have joined the IEA-NEA Student Program. IEA-NEA’s Student Program
is governed by a Student Advisory Board, which oversees program activities.
Students from colleges around the state comprise this Board with an elected
chairperson who also represents the Student Program on the IEA-NEA Student
Program.
Adviser: Mary Keil (815) 753-8363
The MITE organization provides support and pertinent information to students
in teacher education programs in the College of Education. Information is
transmitted via speakers, mentoring from NIU faculty and alumni, and networking
opportunities for minority students.
The organization’s goals are to increase minority retention, recruit
more minority students into teacher education, improve the academic environment
of the College and University, serve as a channel to communicate and coordinate
activities that provide cultural awareness and foster social interaction between
students, NIU, and the community.
Adviser: Office of Recruiting (815)
753-4303
NIAEYC is a local affiliate group of the National Association for the Education
of Young Children (NAEYC). Nationwide, NAEYC is a membership organization
of over 100,000 early childhood professionals who are committed to fostering
the growth and development of children from birth through age 8, the critical
years of development. Our local affiliate group, one of the largest in Illinois,
has a membership of more than 175. Membership is open to all who share a desire
to serve and act on the behalf of the needs and rights of young children.
NAEYC’s primary purpose is to provide developmental and educational resources
to adults who work with young children. In practical terms, this goal translates
into sponsoring activities that are designed to improve the professional practice
of early childhood education and to educate the American public about the
importance of good quality early childhood programs. NAEYC and its affiliate
groups work towards achievement of this goal by sponsoring professional conferences,
publishing books and other resources, and through public awareness campaigns.
Advisers: Dr. Linda Derscheid (815) 753-6341,
Dr. Shi-Ruei Fang (815) 753-6332, Dr.
Marilyn Bruckman (815) 753-1199
PHED Club is designed to promote community fitness and to further professional interest in physical education and recreation. The Club provides opportunities for learning, friendship, and leadership through club-sponsored activities and services. The Club is open to all physical education majors and minors, including graduate students, in the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education. Adviser: Dr. Jenny Parker (815) 753-6361
PRIDE is a service/social organization that is recognized through the Student
Association and currently has over 100 members. Anyone with an interest in
Deafness is welcome to join. The organization meets to discuss issues in the
Deaf community and plan social and community service projects.
PRIDE’s mission is:
Students have an opportunity to get involved in various University committees that serve the NIU community at large. These include committees like:
Being involved in such a committee enables a student to begin networking across campus with faculty and administrators, as well as develop skills that will be valuable in their future careers, like communication skills, problem solving skills, and teamwork. They will also be an influential member of a committee that helps shape what NIU is.