Q&A with President Gloria J. Gibson

TELL US ABOUT WHY YOU CAME TO NORTHEASTERN AND YOUR PASSION FOR WORKING WITH STUDENTS.

Northeastern is a special institution, and it’s made special by the University's students. I am a first-generation college graduate. My parents migrated to Illinois from the South for a better life. Many of our students have parents or grandparents who also came to Illinois for that same reason. So, my passion for higher education is grounded in the understanding that students’ lives can be transformed, and Northeastern plays a pivotal role in that transformation. For me, there is real joy in working with our students and seeing them grow over time. Students come to Northeastern to receive a quality education and successfully enter careers as teachers, counselors, social workers, artists and business owners; it runs the whole gamut. Many go on to graduate programs and continue their education to become doctors, lawyers and CPAs – a host of professional positions. When you look at our alumni, you see they are very successful. So, working with students has been very rewarding for me. Northeastern continues to provide an exceptional educational experience for students, and that’s based on the faculty, staff and alumni who serve the University. Understanding Northeastern’s potential and what Northeastern can grow into over the next five, 10 or 20 years has fueled my passion for leading the University.

WHAT ARE THE UNIVERSITY'S GREATEST STRENGTHS?

Diversity is one of the University’s greatest strengths. This is a Hispanic-Serving Institution and Minority Serving Institution, and because our students are primarily from the Chicago area, they represent the diversity that we find throughout the city. In addition to Latinx and African American students, we have many Asian American students, immigrant students and first-generation students. That diversity extends to our faculty and staff also. Our staff is more ethnically diverse than our faculty, but one of the goals we have is to continue to increase the number of faculty from various ethnic backgrounds.

In addition to strong academic programs, another strength is the resilience of our students and how our faculty and staff work to empower them. So many of our students come from financially challenged neighborhoods but they are determined to receive their degrees and enter the workforce. When that happens, they have not only their degree to assist them in upward economic mobility, but their degree also benefits their families and, by extension, their communities. I’m very proud of our students' determination and the dedication of our faculty and staff.

WHAT ARE THE UNIVERSITY’S GREATEST CHALLENGES?

There have been several major challenges. I arrived on campus in the summer of 2018. I started July 1, and the University had just gone through the Illinois state budget impasse, which negatively impacted Northeastern and other Illinois universities. Most of our financial reserves were depleted. There were layoffs and consolidations. And while enrollments had been declining for a number of years, the fall of 2018 saw first-time, full-time enrollment plummet to 451 students compared to 830 the previous year. Coming in on the heels of that reality in 2018 meant our campus was going through, and continues to go through budgetary challenges.

Another challenge was the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. In March 2020, we closed our facilities, and pivoted to learning and working from home. Our faculty turned to online teaching and additional professional development was offered by the Center for Teaching and Learning. Many of our students faced horrific challenges. Although COVID-19 was horrendous for everyone, it impacted families of color – Black and Brown families – at a much greater rate and in much more severe ways than the majority population. So, the pandemic was certainly a challenge, but again the administration, faculty and staff remained focused on providing the most positive and excellent educational experience for our students. In addition, we raised over $100,000 through our Student Emergency Fund, enlarged our Student Pantry, provided computers and internet hotspots for students to enable them to study, and in some cases, even provided emergency housing in The Nest. I am very appreciative of everyone who assisted Northeastern through this difficult period.

WHAT ARE YOU MOST OPTIMISTIC ABOUT?

The future is certainly brighter. Even coming out of the budget impasse and COVID-19, we are improving our enrollment numbers, so I’m very optimistic about Fall 2023. The numbers look favorable, and a major part of that stems from the infrastructure that was put into place in 2022. The University implemented a new customer relations management system that is helping us connect with prospective students and their families. We are also continuing the NEIU For You Scholarship and we’re using the Common Application for undergraduates. The number of applications is significantly higher, the number of students who have been admitted is higher, and most importantly our intent to enroll numbers are very promising, so we’re showing great progress in our enrollment projections.

We are making significant progress with our new nursing and doctor of education programs. As the University moves forward, Northeastern is preparing students for the Illinois workforce. We understand new fields of study are emerging, and we must continue to align our academic programs and degrees with what the Illinois workforce demands. I’m optimistic about the future of the academic programs we’re currently working on and those that will be developed in the future.

And, I must say, Northeastern is the closest it has ever been to a groundbreaking for the new education building. It has been in the works for the past 20 years. The final drawing will be finished in 2023 with groundbreaking to follow. Let’s keep our fingers crossed!

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF DURING YOUR TENURE AS PRESIDENT OF NEIU?

I’m very proud of the Climate Study that was completed in 2021. The University community came together, with the assistance of our consultants, to provide an in-depth analysis of how we need to create a sense of belonging. Several recommendations were made, including hiring a staff member – Shireen Roshanravan – at the cabinet level to be responsible for equity, diversity and inclusion.

Another campus-wide initiative where the campus came together was our first Seal of Excelencia application submitted in Summer 2022. Excelencia in Education established the Seal of Excelencia in 2019 as a national certification for institutions to go beyond enrollment and to intentionally serve Latinx students by strategically documenting the success of practices and initiatives. Although Northeastern did not receive the Seal, the work of the various campus committees laid the groundwork for a successful application in the future.

I’m very proud of the work of each of the cabinet members. When I look at the progress that’s been made over the past few years, significant accomplishments have been achieved.

Returning to enrollment, the recruitment pipelines have been strengthened. We’re working with Chicago Public Schools and the City Colleges
of Chicago to strengthen those pipelines. Dual enrollment courses for high school students continue to expand. We’ve also increased our focus on recruiting international students.

I would be remiss if I did not mention how proud I am of the contributions of our two centers: El Centro and the Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies. These sites are integral to the mission of Northeastern. Their contribution to the Latinx and Black communities is irrefutable. Withstanding budget cuts and other challenges, they stand

as a beacon for Chicagoland to understand the power of education for all and the inextricable link between that power and the progress of their communities.

I’m very proud of the increased occupancy at
The Nest. Part of that growth is related to the establishment of the Living Learning Communities (LLCs), which are thriving.

Terry Mena, Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, has worked with our faculty and staff, along with the Provost’s Office, to promote and help establish these communities. We have seven LLCs, and those students are doing very well. Another LLC will be established
in Fall 2023. The university must continue to seek funding for our endowments and external grants with foundations; this is another area where Northeastern has excelled. Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Liesl Downey, working with outside consultants, has developed a 10-year plan to increase our fundraising and endowments.

In 2020, the George Floyd Social Justice Scholarship was established and thanks to generous donors contributing to the fund, seven students have benefitted from the scholarship.

In 2021, the Afghan Transition Program, an initiative of the Board of Trustees, was created to provide support for qualified refugees who settled in Chicago or nearby areas to attend Northeastern through University-sponsored discretionary waivers and offer housing to students who need it.

And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the James and Grace Gibson Memorial Scholarship I established in memory of my parents. The first recipients received the scholarship in Fall 2022.

I am most proud of the NEIU For You Scholarship as an example of providing support for students with the greatest financial need. Fueled by the Illinois Board of Higher Education Strategic Plan, "A Thriving Illinois: Higher Education Paths to Equity, Sustainability, and Growth," the top-off scholarship addresses equity and access as it assists students reach their full educational potential without acquiring a mountain of debt. The initiative, led by the Vice President for Finance and Administration, was collaborative with input from Blue Rose Financials, the cabinet and the Board of Trustees. The Board not only endorsed the scholarship, but also voted to use dollars from the University reserves to fund the initiative.

Besides the NEIU For You Scholarship, you will read about Northeastern's Title V Grants, Chicago CHEC, and the CROCUS grant in this issue. I am grateful for these grants and the faculty and staff who, over the years, receive external funding to support their research and engage undergraduate and graduate students.

I greatly appreciate the support of the NEIU Foundation and the Alumni Association. While I cannot mention everyone, I extend special thanks to Dan Goodwin, Sasha and Eugene Gerritson, President Emerita Salme Harju Steinberg and President Emerita Sharon Hahs for their sustained support over many years. And to the countless donors who have given to the university, please accept my heart-felt appreciation. Thank you!

ARE THERE ANY MEMORIES THAT YOU ESPECIALLY CHERISH?

Commencement! That’s the day we all cherish as we watch our students cross the stage. Some finish in four years, others –like our oldest graduate, who completed their degree at age 90! – take longer to complete their degree, having to start and stop for a variety of reasons. As I shake their hands, some proudly share how long it took them to get there. No matter the time it takes, I am very proud of each student. They are NEIU Golden Eagles forever!

Lastly, I cherish and I am thankful for our University staff who work tirelessly for NEIU! I am especially grateful to Asma Raouf for her devoted service to the Office of the President.

“As the University moves forward, Northeastern is preparing students for the Illinois workforce. We understand new fields of study are emerging, and we must continue to align our academic programs and degrees with what the Illinois workforce demands.”