NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY - Key Persons


Alan Clay

Job Titles:
  • Associate Director, Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity

Alan Clemens

Job Titles:
  • Director of the Illinois Interactive Report Cards Office

Amanda Smothers

Job Titles:
  • Teaching and Learning Coordinator, Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning

Andrew Johnson

Job Titles:
  • Service Owner
Only email clients that support modern authentication will work with our O365 service. NIU's Division of Information Technology (DoIT) provides email, calendaring, and messaging software to current students, faculty, and staff. Email and email forwarding options are also available to retirees, alumni, and other university affiliates as sponsored accounts.

Andrew Pemberton

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Director of Internal Communications

Ann Kenney

Job Titles:
  • Administrative Support
  • Business Analyst / Web Content Manager

Beth Fisher Ingram

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Executive Committee
  • Liaison

Beverly Henry

Job Titles:
  • Interim Dean, College of Health and Human Sciences

Beverly McCall

Job Titles:
  • Associate Director, Academic Advising Center

Bill Hodson

Job Titles:
  • Associate Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer

Bob Pritchard

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Executive Committee
  • Vice Chair of the Executive Committee

Brenda Hart

Job Titles:
  • Office Administrator

Brenda Powell

Job Titles:
  • NIU Admissions Counselor

Brian Smith

Job Titles:
  • Director, Employee Assistance Program and Training Center

Bridgett Davis

Job Titles:
  • Benefits Officer

Brigid Crawford

Job Titles:
  • Music Admissions Coordinator, School of Music

Brittany Wereminski

Job Titles:
  • Coordinator of Recruitment, College of Education

Brock McCord

Job Titles:
  • Temporary Employment Processing Coordinator

Carrie Zack

Job Titles:
  • Associate Director of Educator Licensure and Preparation

Cathy Doederlein

Job Titles:
  • Director of Career Services

Christopher Lowe

Job Titles:
  • Program Adviser, Department of Curriculum and Instruction

Courtney Vinson

Job Titles:
  • Senior Associate Athletic Director for Sport Administration, Intercollegiate Athletics

Crystal Doyle


Dan Pedersen

Job Titles:
  • Director of NIU Housing and Residential Services

Daniel Rogness

Job Titles:
  • Major Advisor

Darius Sias

Job Titles:
  • Classification and Compensation Officer

Dawn Cook

Job Titles:
  • Human Resource Representative

Debbie Rempfer

Job Titles:
  • Scholarship Coordinator in the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office

Dennis Barsema

Job Titles:
  • Chairman of the Executive Committee

Elina Wlaznik

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Director, Campus Activities Board

Emily Cronauer

Job Titles:
  • Major Advisor

Eric Wasowicz

Job Titles:
  • Chairman of the Executive Committee

Erin Reid

Job Titles:
  • Academic Advisor, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Gail Jacky

Job Titles:
  • Director, Huskie Academic Support Center

Gerald C. Blazey

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Executive Committee
  • Liaison

Greg Barker

Job Titles:
  • Director of Testing Services and Academic Affairs Research Support
Barker was the assistant director for psychometric support, and when the director position opened in 2008, he took on that role. Nearly two decades later, the NIU community is glad he did.

Jaclyn Joiner

Job Titles:
  • Payroll Specialist III

Jay Monteiro

Job Titles:
  • Assistant to the Dean, College of Visual and Performing Arts

Jennifer "Jenny" Johnson

Job Titles:
  • Director of Teacher Preparation and Development

Jeremy Benson

For Jeremy Benson, science is more than a career path or set of facts. It's a way of understanding and interacting with the world that's available to everyone, not just a rarified few. "My biggest motivator is to do whatever I can to help dispel the myth that only certain people can understand science," says Benson, a STEM educator in the NIU Center for P-20 Engagement. "I think it's important to show students that science is more than just a collection of facts. It is a way of looking at and attempting to understand the world around us. Regardless of what job you may have or want, knowing how to find the answers to our questions and use our knowledge to solve problems is an important life skill for every single human being." As part of the STEM Outreach team, Benson introduces students from elementary through high school to the joys of science through interactive, hands-on camps, classes and activities that build on their interests. "Jeremy has been instrumental in the creative expansion of our STEM camp choices, adding sessions based on exploring STEM through following the interests of kids and teens: science fiction, electricity and magnetism, magic and robotics. He's created many of our hands-on displays and developed unique projects for our campers, such as a light sword and a motion reactive light-up ‘magic' wand," says STEM Outreach director Pati Sievert. Among his colleagues, Benson is known for his work ethic and mentorship. Jasmine Carey, who earned her bachelor's degree in industrial management and technology from NIU in 2017 and is currently pursuing her master's degree in instructional technology, has worked with Benson as a STEM camp counselor and instructor. "Working with Jeremy has been great," Carey says. "He's a fountain of knowledge, and he's always willing to help. Through his trust and leadership, Jeremy has taught me to be more confident in my abilities." Because of her work with STEM Outreach, Carey has decided to pursue a career as a STEM educator, continuing Benson's mission to build enthusiasm and knowledge of science, technology, engineering and math fields among all young people. Benson explains that his greatest reward is the joy of watching students learn. "I love seeing the excitement in my students' faces when something clicks - those lightbulb moments where a collection of details becomes understanding," he says. "My very favorite thing is to see the pride and accomplishment when students who didn't think they could do something realize that they can."

Jessica Madrigal

Job Titles:
  • Simulation Laboratory Specialist, School of Nursing

Jo Burke

Job Titles:
  • Director of the NIU Art Museum

John Butler

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Executive Committee
  • Vice Chair of the Executive Committee

Jorie O'Brien

Job Titles:
  • Middle Level Program Advisor, College of Education

Judy Santacaterina

Job Titles:
  • General Studies Director and Director

Julie Miller

Job Titles:
  • Electronic Research Administration ( ERA ) Coordinator for the Division of Research and Innovation Partnerships ( RIPS )

Kara Rominski

Job Titles:
  • Customer Service Assistant

Karen Smith

Job Titles:
  • Program Services Specialist

Karinne Bredberg

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Director for Commercialization and Innovation for the Division of Research and Innovation Partnerships ( RIPS )
Karinne Bredberg's dedication to creating innovative programs and nurturing partnerships is leading to life-changing experiences for many NIU students. As assistant director for Commercialization and Innovation for NIU's Division of Research and Innovation Partnerships, Bredberg has spent years developing collaborations with businesses that result in once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for NIU students, and likely will lead to hundreds more over the next several years. She is one of four of NIU's Supportive Professional Staff members recognized with Presidential Awards for Excellence in 2019. "This recognition is very special to me because it validates the work I am doing for the university," said Bredberg. "It drives me to continue putting my best efforts into providing innovative, hands-on learning opportunities that will further our students' talents in preparing them for their careers." Bredberg also has helped initiate a partnership with IDEAL Industries to create the IDEAL Intrepreneurship program. Students from a variety of majors work in interdisciplinary teams to research markets, craft business plans and develop and commercialize products for ideas proposed by IDEAL.

Katy Whitelaw

Job Titles:
  • Information Technology Accessibility Officer

Kimberly Johnson-Jones

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Director, Huskie Academic Support Center

Kristie Crane

Job Titles:
  • Undergraduate Advisor in Department of Sociology

Kunal Patel

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Professor, Public Health

Kyleigh Wallace

Job Titles:
  • Associate Director, Northern Fund

Laura Lundelius

Job Titles:
  • Director of Campus Services

Lauren Teso-Warner

Job Titles:
  • Senior Associate Director of Residential Life, Housing and Residential Services

Laurie Johnson

Job Titles:
  • Benefits Officer

Lesley Gilbert

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Director, Employee Services HR Development

Linda Kocjan

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Director, ADA Accommodations and Program Services

Linda Novak

Job Titles:
  • Human Resource Representative

Linda Yates

Job Titles:
  • Laboratory Manager, Department of Biological Sciences

Lisa C. Freeman - President

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Executive Committee
  • President

Lisa Dienst-Thomas


Lise Schlosser

Job Titles:
  • Office Manager

Liz Guess

Job Titles:
  • Director, Benefits and Payroll

Liz Wright


Lynn Retherford

Job Titles:
  • Coordinator of Teacher Certification for the School of Music

Mandy Wescott

Job Titles:
  • Major Advisor

Mark McGowan

Job Titles:
  • Manager of College Communications

Mark Pietrowski

Job Titles:
  • Director of Central Advising Office, College of Engineering and Engineering Technology

Martha Delancey

Job Titles:
  • Customer Service Assistant

Mary Hoebing

Job Titles:
  • Temporary Employment Processing Coordinator

Mary Strub

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Director of Center for Governmental Studies

Mary Studebaker-Reed

Job Titles:
  • Office Support Specialist, School of Interdisciplinary Health Professions

Matt McCue

Job Titles:
  • Testing Services - Assistant Manager

Matthew Stark

Job Titles:
  • Program Coordinator, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics

Melanie Costello

Job Titles:
  • Lorado Taft Campus Director / Outdoor Education Coordinator

Melissa Burlingame

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Director

Melody Winter

Job Titles:
  • Payroll Specialist II

Meredith Eskoff

Job Titles:
  • Academic Advisor, College of Business

Mia Hannon


Michael Rhode

Job Titles:
  • Temporary Employment Processing Coordinator

Michael Tiema

Job Titles:
  • IT Support Associate, College of Business

Miriah Ranken

Job Titles:
  • Business Administrative Associate

Monique Bernoudy

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Vice President, Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Monique is the Assistant Vice President, Academic Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Division of Academic Affairs

Montel Gayles

Job Titles:
  • Chairman of the Executive Committee
  • Secretary of the Executive Committee

Neda Johnson


Noor Harrison

Job Titles:
  • Immigration Specialist

Pam Roesner

Job Titles:
  • Office Manager

Pettee Guerrero

Job Titles:
  • Director of the National Safety Education Center at NIU / Ron Barshinger

Philip Terry

Job Titles:
  • Assistant Director, Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity

Pulchratia Lacey

Job Titles:
  • Director, Employment Services

Randy Young

Job Titles:
  • Talent Acquisition Specialist

Ray Earl-Jackson

Job Titles:
  • Senior Director of Advancement, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Renee Bechtel

Job Titles:
  • Benefits Counselor

Rita Athas

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Executive Committee
  • Vice Chair of the Executive Committee

Ron Barshinger

Job Titles:
  • Director of the National Safety Education Center at NIU / Ron Barshinger

Rose Henton

Job Titles:
  • Director of Coordinated Education, Training and Outreach Programs

Ruperto Herrera

Job Titles:
  • Application Programming Analyst

Salina Heller


Sandy Hess

Job Titles:
  • Payroll Manager
  • Payroll

Sarah Chinniah

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Executive Committee
  • Liaison

Savili Ngovo Williams

Job Titles:
  • Counselor

Shakaria Smith

Job Titles:
  • Student Success Coach, TRIO Student Support Services

Shay Hanlon

Job Titles:
  • Administrative Assistant

Steph Horgan

Job Titles:
  • Academic Advisor, Management Department, College of Business
Steph Horgan Academic Advisor, Management Department, College of Business Beverly McCall Associate Director, Academic Advising Center Brittany Wereminski Coordinator of Recruitment, College of Education Ray Earl-Jackson Senior Director of Advancement, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Jorie O'Brien Middle Level Program Advisor, College of Education Jennifer "Jenny" Johnson Director of Teacher Preparation and Development Dan Pedersen Director of NIU Housing and Residential Services Kristie Crane Undergraduate Advisor in Department of Sociology Pettee Guerrero Director of the National Safety Education Center at NIU Ron Barshinger Library Operations Associate Susana Das Neves Director of Migrant Education Services Mary Strub Assistant Director of Center for Governmental Studies Karinne Bredberg Assistant director for Commercialization and Innovation for the Division of Research and Innovation Partnerships (RIPS) Alan Clemens Director of the Illinois Interactive Report Cards office Jeremy Benson STEM educator in the NIU Center for P-20 Engagement Carrie Zack Associate director of Educator Licensure and Preparation Julie Miller Electronic Research Administration (eRA) coordinator for the Division of Research and Innovation Partnerships (RIPS) Debbie Rempfer Scholarship coordinator in the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office Katy Whitelaw Information Technology Accessibility Officer Lynn Retherford Coordinator of Teacher Certification for the School of Music Jay Monteiro Assistant to the dean, College of Visual and Performing Arts Jo Burke Director of the NIU Art Museum Laura Lundelius Director of Campus Services Theresa LaRocco Records Supervisor for the Graduate School Melissa Burlingame Assistant Director Mark McGowan manager of college communications Brenda Hart Office Administrator Ruperto Herrera Application Programming Analyst Greg Barker Director of Testing Services and Academic Affairs Research Support Lise Schlosser Office manager

Stephanie Kruizenga

Job Titles:
  • Benefits Officer

Susan Caplan

Job Titles:
  • Chairman, School of Nursing

Susan Kerschke

Job Titles:
  • Classification and Compensation Officer

Susan Swegle

Job Titles:
  • Insurance and Employee Benefits Manager

Susana Das Neves

Job Titles:
  • Director of Migrant Education Services

Tammy Lexa

Job Titles:
  • Payroll - Assistant Manager

Theresa LaRocco

Job Titles:
  • Records Supervisor for the Graduate School

Theresa Plazewski

Job Titles:
  • Temporary Employment Processing Coordinator

Thomas Pavkov

Job Titles:
  • Chairman, School of Family and Consumer Sciences

Tim Moore

Job Titles:
  • Member of the Executive Committee
  • Student

Tony Calderala

Job Titles:
  • Academic Advisor, Kinesiology and Physical Education

Trevor Rogneby

Job Titles:
  • Office Support Specialist, College of Engineering and Engineering Technology

Veronica Herrero

Job Titles:
  • Chairman of the Executive Committee

Vicki Caserno

Job Titles:
  • Counselor

Vicki Wronkowski

Job Titles:
  • HR Service Center Manager
  • Testing Services Manager

Vickie Hueramo

Job Titles:
  • Benefits Officer

Vicky Guzman

Job Titles:
  • Employee Lifecycle Manager

Yvette Wright

Job Titles:
  • Customer Service Specialist

Zabrina Burford

Job Titles:
  • Professional Services, Asian American Resource Center