Huskies Move Together
Huskies Move Together unites students, faculty and staff to cultivate a culture of physical activity and well-being across the university community. Our leadership team represents faculty, professionals and students from the College of Education and the College of Health and Human Sciences, in partnership with NIU Recreation and our Student Health Center.
Huskies Move Together supports NIU’s Exercise is Medicine® On Campus designation, which the university received from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
Exercise is Medicine On Campus (EIM-OC)
NIU received the EIM-OC designation thanks to work led by faculty from the College of Education’s Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education and the College of Health and Human Sciences.
EIM-OC is a global health initiative that enlists higher education to help promote physical activity as a vital sign of health by:
- Making movement a part of the daily campus culture.
- Assessing physical activity at every student health visit.
- Providing students with the tools necessary to strengthen healthy physical activity habits that can last a lifetime.
- Connecting university healthcare providers with university health fitness specialists to provide a referral system for exercise prescription.
Why Is EIM-OC Important to NIU?
NIU is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), and more than half of our students are first-generation college students. Many students work while enrolled, and large numbers of students, staff and faculty commute 45–90 minutes one way from the greater Rockford and Chicagoland areas — creating substantial barriers to regular physical activity.
Physical inactivity is a growing concern among college students, who engage in higher levels of sedentary behavior than same-aged adults in the general population. Sedentary patterns have increased over the past decade and are linked to elevated physical and mental health risks.
First-generation college students report lower physical activity levels than “continuing-generation” peers, and Latino populations experience lower physical activity participation and higher chronic disease risk relative to non-Latino white peers. Long commute times further reduce opportunities for physical activity and are associated with poorer health outcomes. Conversely, regular physical activity improves mental health and academic achievement among college students.
Given these factors, adopting the EIM-OC initiative is essential to advancing NIU’s health, well-being and student success priorities.
Walking Challenge
NIU President Lisa Freeman signed a proclamation declaring October as Exercise is Medicine® On Campus Month at NIU. During our first Walking Challenge held in October 2025, 148 individuals walked or used mobility devices to cover 328 miles around the lagoon. In October 2026, 234 participants logged 475 miles (58% and 45% increases, respectively). This annual event not only supports health and well-being but also serves as a friendly competition with all other participating colleges and universities
Mentoring Program
We’re excited that NIU is participating in the Midwest ACSM EIM-OC Mentoring Program. Our EIM-OC mentor is Purdue University.
This program helps us enhance our current EIM-OC program and receive guidance from a school with an established EIM-OC program. We were awarded a $500 MWASM EIM-OC Mentoring Grant to help us move our program to the next recognition level (bronze, silver or gold). Our mentor school helps us by sharing best practices and identifying ways to promote and facilitate physical activity on campus and within the community.