NIU trustees hear HASC presentation on expansion, data-driven outreach and supplemental instruction gains

Northern Illinois University trustees heard a presentation on the Husky Academic Success Center (HASC) and the Disability Resource Center that outlined a "high-tech, high-touch" model tying Navigate 360 and a Mission AI chatbot to personalized outreach and expanded in-person supports.

Executive vice president and provost Lori Elishe Piper, vice provost Alicia Shattaman and executive director Jennifer Salmon described consolidation of HASC services into the Learning Commons and closer coordination with financial aid and academic advising. The presenters said total appointments increased substantially year over year; the slide deck reported a 41 percentage-point increase from fall 2024 to fall 2025 in overall appointments.

Jennifer Salmon highlighted outcomes tied to the supplemental instruction (SI) model: "In biology 103 and chem 110, SI participants earn ABC grades at rates 20 percentage points higher than nonparticipants," she said, describing SI as a scalable, high-impact intervention for gateway courses. Salmon added HASC works with academic coaches and financial aid to help students who are at risk of failing maintain satisfactory academic progress and continued eligibility for federal aid.

Student SI leader Tyler Nekazekie described the role as both instructional and community-building: "I do this job because I genuinely enjoy it ... it's rewarding to witness students grow and build friendships," he said, describing twice-weekly sessions and student-centered activities intended to build confidence.

Trustees probed capacity and outreach. Trustees asked why some students do not use services; Salmon said fear or unfamiliarity is a leading reason and that embedding coaches and SI leaders in colleges increases visibility. She also noted HASC uses Navigate campaigns and text-message nudges along with targeted midterm progress reports to connect with students.

Board members asked about maintaining quality if usage grows; presenters said lesson plans, observation of SI sessions and staff training support quality control. Trustees encouraged continued expansion of embedded supports and data-driven campaigns.

The presentation closed with trustees and presenters agreeing the coordinated model increases timely, personalized interventions and should help more students remain on track to complete degrees.