[{"_1":2,"_105":-5,"_106":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,85,95],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6180347,"mediaKeyId","5119640-cffb156aeb138fd30d1fb54e3e494e70","parentId",5119640,"title","NIU medical laboratory sciences program highlights hands‑on clinical placements and job outcomes","audioSeconds",1260,"startMs",2340000,"endMs",3600000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5119640-cffb156aeb138fd30d1fb54e3e494e70&start=2340&end=3600","thumbnailUrl","https://d352y6ypj4mjo3.cloudfront.net/AudioPlaceholder.png","articleUrl","/articles/6180347/Illinois/NIU-medical-laboratory-sciences-program-highlights-handson-clinical-placements-and-job-outcomes","mediaUrl","author","Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees","date","2025-06-12T00:00:00Z","article","Program faculty and a recent graduate briefed the Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees on the accredited medical laboratory sciences (MLS) bachelor’s program, describing clinical placements, curriculum structure and early employment outcomes.

Amanda Volker, clinical coordinator for the MLS program, described the program's NACLS accreditation, more than 25 hospital and affiliate clinical sites across the region, and a placement process that guarantees eligible students a clinical site among their top choices. \"We place everybody that is eligible,\" Volker said, adding that eligibility generally requires a C or better in required didactic courses.

Volker overviewed the curriculum: a didactic first year with lectures and labs followed by a second‑year clinical rotation period (students are on campus all day Monday for advanced lectures and at clinical rotations Tuesday–Thursday). She said the program works with affiliates to tailor placements so students gain experience in settings where they are likely to succeed; Volker reported many affiliates hire students after graduation because trainees are familiar with the sites' analyzers and workflows.

Graduate Wendy Lozano, class of 2025, described completing a clinical internship at University of Chicago Medical Center (her top choice) from August 2024 to May 2025 and said she accepted a transfusion medicine technologist position there beginning June 16. Lozano also said she passed the national certification exam and credited the program's hands‑on experience and faculty support for her readiness.

The presentation emphasized workforce demand (an ongoing shortage as older workers retire) and the program's focus on student preparedness and relationships with affiliates. Trustees asked about clinical‑tour length, student work‑study conflicts during rotations and how the program is preparing for technology changes such as automation and artificial intelligence; Volker said AI and related topics were on the program's planning agenda and that affiliates are beginning to introduce related use cases.

The program's demonstration highlighted student support (scholarships mentioned by the student), a pipeline to employment and curriculum features intended to meet local hospital workforce needs.","mediaType","Audio","parentTitle","6/12 BOT Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Faculty and a recent graduate described the accredited medical laboratory sciences bachelor's program, its clinical affiliates, placement process and student outcomes, including a graduate's hire at University of Chicago Medical Center.","taxTitle","Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees, Agencies, Executive, Illinois","taxId",37530,"location","Illinois","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":50,"_51":82,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":83,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":84,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6180352,"NIU Foundation launches $300 million 'Forward' campaign; advancement leader announces retirement",5250,1950000,7200000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5119640-cffb156aeb138fd30d1fb54e3e494e70&start=1950&end=7200","/articles/6180352/Illinois/NIU-Foundation-launches-300-million-Forward-campaign-advancement-leader-announces-retirement","The Northern Illinois Foundation announced the public launch of \"Forward, the campaign for NIU,\" a comprehensive fundraising effort that aims to raise $300 million by 2030; the board of trustees voted to endorse the campaign at the meeting.

Catherine Squires, vice president for advancement and president and CEO of the Northern Illinois Foundation, told trustees that through June 5 the campaign had raised $164,500,000 and that a public kickoff was planned for the coming Saturday with more than 350 people signed up. \"Through June 5, we've accomplished a 164,500,000.0 in total philanthropy,\" Squires said, and described the public phase as an effort to accelerate alumni and donor participation.

Squires — speaking in her last meeting before retirement after 10 years leading the foundation — outlined student engagement work tied to the campaign, including Gradpalooza events, first‑time class gifts from graduating students and a pilot 90‑second welcome video used during commencement. She thanked trustees and university leaders and said she would remain involved as an alum.

The board adopted a resolution endorsing the Forward campaign; the resolution says the campaign will focus on three strategic commitments: expanding transformational experiences (scholarships, research and experiential learning), inspiring discovery and innovation (research and creative activity) and fortifying the university's future (sustainability, infrastructure, planning). The meeting record shows the resolution was presented and approved by voice vote.

Trustees offered statements of thanks to Squires for her decade of leadership and cited the foundation's progress and the campaign as a continuation of that work. The board packet and Squires' remarks include campaign metrics, the launch date and planned public activities; trustees encouraged broad campus and alumni participation.","Catherine Squires, president and CEO of the Northern Illinois Foundation, reported $164.5 million raised to date and formally committed to the public launch of the Forward campaign to reach $300 million by 2030; Squires said she will retire after a decade leading the foundation.",{"_33":86,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":87,"_41":88,"_43":89,"_45":90,"_47":91,"_49":50,"_51":92,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":93,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":94,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6180357,"AFSCME speakers tell trustees NIU staff pay falls short of living wage, urge action",720,720000,1440000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5119640-cffb156aeb138fd30d1fb54e3e494e70&start=720&end=1440","/articles/6180357/Illinois/AFSCME-speakers-tell-trustees-NIU-staff-pay-falls-short-of-living-wage-urge-action","Union members addressed the Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees during the public‑comment portion of the meeting to say staff wages remain insufficient for living expenses and to press trustees to address pay gaps.

Martha Villa Gomez, who identified herself as an AFSCME member, told trustees she now earns slightly above $19 an hour after recent contract negotiations but cited the Massachusetts Institute of Technology living‑wage estimate for DeKalb County that lists $22.15 an hour for a single adult with no children. \"I currently cannot get by,\" she said, describing reliance on family support and difficulty covering basic expenses.

Ray Meyer, president of AFSCME Local 1890, presented broader data and framed the issue as systemic. Meyer said administrative ranks have grown while many staff classifications pay well below NIU's own salary targets and market rates. \"NIU created salary targets for every classification... 72% of staff classifications are paid below NIU's own target,\" Meyer told trustees, adding that 81% of classifications were paid below market and the average gap versus market was about 17%.

Both speakers described real‑world consequences: employees holding second jobs, missing medical appointments, or facing layoffs as positions are eliminated. They urged trustees to use available resources differently, emphasizing the human effects behind the numbers. The remarks were made as public comment; the board took no immediate policy action in response during the meeting. Trustees later and in separate discussion emphasized the importance of balancing expense control with revenue generation and thanked staff and union representatives for participating in the shared process.

Because these remarks were public comment, no board motions or votes resulted directly from them.","Two AFSCME representatives told the Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees that many staff earn below the MIT living‑wage estimate for DeKalb County and urged the university to prioritize frontline staff pay during budget deliberations.",{"_33":96,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":97,"_41":98,"_43":99,"_45":100,"_47":101,"_49":50,"_51":102,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":103,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":104,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6180361,"NIU trustees approve balanced FY2026 budget and faculty, staff salary guidelines",960,3300000,4260000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5119640-cffb156aeb138fd30d1fb54e3e494e70&start=3300&end=4260","/articles/6180361/Illinois/NIU-trustees-approve-balanced-FY2026-budget-and-faculty-staff-salary-guidelines","The Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees on a voice vote approved a balanced fiscal year 2026 internal budget of $442,500,000 and adopted salary increment guidelines for non‑represented faculty and staff ahead of the start of the fiscal year.

The action matters because trustees said the plan is intended to stabilize university finances after several years of constrained resources and to protect revenue‑generating programs and positions. \"The fiscal year 26 internal budget being presented for board consideration includes $442,500,000 in expenses against $442,500,000 in anticipated revenues,\" President Freeman said during the meeting.

The university presented an internally funded increment plan for eligible non‑represented staff that recommends increases ranging from 0% to 3%, effective July 1, 2025, with larger percentages targeted to lower‑paid employees; for non‑represented faculty (including department chairs and school directors) the board approved a 3% across‑the‑board increase, effective July 1, 2025. \"We developed an internally funded plan to provide increments for eligible non represented staff in fiscal year 26,\" an administration representative summarized during the presentation. The staff guideline ties the increment percentage to hourly or salary rate so that the lowest paid receive the largest percentage.

Trustees and university leaders repeatedly emphasized that the budget reflects forecasting assumptions — including projected student enrollment, committed state appropriations and inflation — and that it does not incorporate potential impacts from unresolved external legal or legislative matters. President Freeman and other trustees credited shared‑governance groups, campus work groups and the finance team for months of planning and consultation that produced the balanced plan. \"Our NIU community has been working diligently for the past few years to present a balanced budget plan for fiscal year 26,\" Freeman said.

Trustees also stressed the need to pair expense control with renewed focus on revenue growth, especially enrollment. Trustee Eric Wasowitz said the budget is an important milestone but urged continuing efficiency and enrollment work: \"If we can become an even more efficient university, if we're more efficient, we're going to provide better service to our students.\"

The board approved the budget and the salary allocation guidelines by recorded motions and voice votes; the meeting minutes record the motions as carried. The university said the balanced budget includes a limited bridging amount between FY26 and FY27 for specific transitional items and that leadership will continue to report results to the board as the year proceeds.

Less critical details about committee discussions, the committee chairs and the vote method are recorded in the board packet and minutes.","The Northern Illinois University Board of Trustees approved a $442.5 million balanced internal budget for fiscal year 2026 and adopted recommended salary increment guidelines for non‑represented faculty and staff effective July 1, 2025.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

NIU medical laboratory sciences program highlights hands‑on clinical placements and job outcomes

NIU Foundation launches $300 million 'Forward' campaign; advancement leader announces retirement

AFSCME speakers tell trustees NIU staff pay falls short of living wage, urge action

NIU trustees approve balanced FY2026 budget and faculty, staff salary guidelines