Since Laurie Elish-Piper was named interim Executive Vice President and Provost last July, she has enjoyed meeting faculty, students and staff from across the NIU campus.
Doing so has allowed her “to learn about the amazing things they do in teaching, research, artistry, community engagement and service” as part of her leadership of university efforts to support student success, faculty success and curricular innovation.
Now Elish-Piper will continue that work on a permanent basis: NIU President Lisa Freeman has chosen the former dean of the College of Education to officially occupy the position, pending March 21 approval from the Board of Trustees.
“President Freeman is a visionary leader and champion for NIU and the public mission of higher education, and I share her strong commitment to access, equity, affordability and student success,” Elish-Piper says. “In the interim role, I have appreciated the opportunity to learn about the challenges that members of our campus community face and ways that I can work to help address those barriers.”
Freeman is confident that Elish-Piper, who “emerged as the top candidate” in a national search, is the right person to achieve just that.
Elish-Piper is known and valued for her spirit of collaboration, partnership, empowerment and advocacy, the president says.
“Laurie is an exemplary leader who is highly strategic and innovative as well as a passionate educator and advocate for all students, faculty and staff,” Freeman says.
“She has a deep commitment to NIU’s mission, vision and values, and to fostering a climate where students, faculty and staff know they are welcome, valued, heard, seen and safe,” the president adds. “I eagerly anticipate all that the university will accomplish with her leadership.”
Check out the full story in NIU Today.
