Advanced Prompting Practices: Strategic and Ethical Use of Generative AI in Writing
Jan. 21, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Virtual

Discover how advanced prompting techniques can transform the way you use generative AI for academic writing: boosting accuracy, tone, and relevance while addressing ethical considerations. Led by staff from the HASC Writing Center, this interactive webinar will help you refine prompts for reliable scholarly output, evaluate pedagogical and ethical implications, and explore practical applications in research and teaching. This effort is co-sponsored by The Graduate School and the HASC Writing Center.

Research Visibility 101: Open Access, ORCID, and Academic Networking
Jan. 23, noon to 1 p.m.
Virtual

In this workshop, you will learn strategies to boost your research visibility by making your work openly accessible, claiming your ORCID ID for proper attribution, and using academic networking tools like Google Scholar and ResearchGate to expand your scholarly presence.

Thesis and Dissertation Forms and Deadlines
Jan. 27, 4 to 4:45 p.m.
Virtual

When should I turn in my committee approval form? How do I change my graduation term? What’s the latest I can defend if I want to graduate this fall? Get these answers and more in this short presentation about graduation deadlines and requirements for thesis- and dissertation-writing students. 

Thesis and Dissertation Formatting
Jan. 29, 4 to 5 p.m.
Virtual

All NIU theses and dissertations must be formatted according to the guidelines on the Thesis and Dissertation Office website. Attend this short virtual presentation to get an overview of the formatting requirements for these important documents.

Graduating This Year? How to Land a Job After Graduation
Jan. 14, 1 to 1:30 p.m.

Are you graduating this year? Join Beyond Graduate School for this webinar on what master’s students need to be doing now to ensure career success after graduation. We'll discuss the challenges in today's job market and how you can navigate them as a newly graduated master's student. While some factors—like changing visa policies and hiring freezes—are beyond your control, we'll help you focus on what you can do to move your career forward and strategically prepare for your future. Most importantly, remember that in the current economy, applying to positions online alone is not a winning strategy. During the webinar, we’ll talk about where to focus your efforts instead and how to prepare for a competitive job search process. This webinar is designed for master’s students from all academic disciplines who are wondering:

Register to attend!

Quinncia + Resume, Mock Interview and LinkedIn
Jan. 27, 2 to 3 p.m.

Join us for an interactive webinar led by Quinncia, NIU’s AI-powered career readiness platform. This webinar covers Quinncia’s resume, mock interview, and LinkedIn tools - all in one session. Learn how these resources help you present your best self on paper, online, and in person. Perfect for students preparing for internships, job searches, or graduate school applications.

Responsible Conduct of Research Forum Series

Jan. 21,noon to 12:50 p.m.

Learn about responsible and ethical conduct of research from NIU's research faculty and staff. Earn a transcript notation by attending 7 webinars in 2 years and participating in the blackboard discussions. Open to all graduate students from any discipline. This series will be conducted via Blackboard. Please register here!

Graduate Students Needed for CURE Conference!

The Office of Student Engagement and Experiential Learning is selecting up to 30 graduate student judges for the Conference on Undergraduate Research and Engagement (CURE) on April 28, 2026. This is a professional development opportunity through which graduate students will gain valuable training and experience geared towards assessing undergraduate research accurately and constructively.  

Selected applicants will participate in a 2-hour in-person training session on April 14, 9:30-11:30, to prepare them to serve as a judge, including learning valuable skills in providing feedback and culturally informed and respectful engagement. 

Benefits for students include relevant experience for professional portfolio, LinkedIn Badge (Undergraduate Research Judge), and a line on their curriculum vita: “Selected as judge for the 2026 NIU Conference on Undergraduate Research and Engagement.”

Applications are being accepted on a rolling basis until March 24. Questions can be directed to ugresearch@niu.edu. 

Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program Scholarship Opportunity

Provides annual scholarships of $63,000 in two tracks for up to two years for postdoctoral positions for Americans and Canadians at leading Israeli universities. This program supports future generations of leaders in science, technology, engineering and math by providing scholarships for postdoctoral students from premier universities in the United States to do research at one of eight Israeli universities: Ariel University, Bar-Ilan University, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Tel Aviv University, University of Haifa, Weizmann Institute of Science, or Technion–Israel Institute of Technology.

Applications for 2026/2027 will be accepted through February 15, 2026. For more information, please visit the Zuckerman STEM Leadership Program website.

Spring Involvement Fair
Jan. 21, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Duke Ellington Ballroom

Jan. 22, Virtual all day
Huskie Hub, Holmes Student Center

Come join the Student Involvement Department for the Spring Involvement Fair to learn more about student organizations and departments that are at NIU!

Real Talk Conference

Share your voice and vision on February 6, 2026, at NIU’s Real Talk Conference 2026: Stories

of the Past, Visions for the Future! We invite faculty, staff, students, and community members

to submit proposals that spark dialogue, inspire change, and highlight diverse perspectives. Whether through research, creative projects, performances, or interactive workshops, this conference celebrates authentic storytelling and courageous conversations that move us toward a more inclusive future. We have extended the deadline to submit proposals to 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 11, 2026. Don’t miss your chance to contribute your insight and experience—submit your proposal today and help shape this year’s Real Talk Conference!

Scholarly Stitch Circle
Jan. 29, 4 to 5 p.m.
Founders Memorial Library, Lower Level Staff Lounge

Join us in Founders Memorial Library to sip tea, work on yarn crafts, eat cookies, and discuss research and writing. The Scholarly Stitch Circle is more than just a knitting group; it's a community-building endeavor, fostering connections within the NIU community.

Experience anxiety reduction in this informal setting, where the dual focus on crafting and conversation alleviates the stress associated with scholarship. Embrace interdisciplinary collaboration as you knit your way to innovative research partnerships. As a bonus, discover and reinforce valuable research and writing support services available at the University Libraries and the University Writing Center. Join us in weaving a tapestry of creativity, camaraderie, and scholarly exploration! In the Library's Lower Level Staff Lounge, behind Einstein's. All are welcome. Some supplies will be available, along with tea and cookies. No experience is necessary. While this is not a "how to" knit or crochet workshop, there may be participants able to help if you're a novice.

Finalize Your Course Schedule for Spring 2026 

The last day to add or drop courses in MyNIU is January 25.  If you have problems making changes to your schedule, you can reach out to your advisor or submit a Kuali schedule change form.  Visit the Graduate School’s Academic Deadlines page for a comprehensive list of deadlines and contact gradrecords@niu.edu with questions. 

Huskie Food Pantry

Huskie Food Pantry is available for any NIU student to access free food. It is located in the Chick Evans Field House. For more information contact the Center for Student Assistance at 815-753-8300, studentassistance@niu.edu.

Spring 2026 Open Pantry Schedule

Jan. 14 – May 14
Wednesday and Thursday from 4:00-6:00pm.

Closed week of March 8 for spring break.

Huskie Closet

The Huskie Closet provides both casual and career clothing free of charge for all NIU students! The Huskie Closet is located in the chick Evens Field House. Visit the website for hour and ways to volunteer at the Huskie Closet.

Jessica Prothe
Nursing education graduate student

I am a graduate nursing student pursuing a master's degree in nursing education. After obtaining a nursing license in 2012, I worked as a front-line nurse. After spending many years at the bedside, I wanted to teach nursing, so I am pursuing a master's degree in nursing education. I aim to teach undergraduate nurses and foster students' entry into nursing.