Fall 2026 Events: Career Conversations, Culture and Community

NIU students are invited to participate in several Fall 2026 events hosted by the Center for Latino and Latin American Studies, including opportunities to explore career paths, connect with alumni and engage with scholarship on music, culture and resistance.

Career Conversations: Careers of NNGO & LATS Alumni

Monday, September 21, 2026
Noon-1 p.m. | Zoom

Interested in careers that make a difference? Join alumni from NIU's Nonprofit and NGO Studies (NNGO) and Latino and Latin American Studies (LATS) programs for a lunchtime conversation about their career paths, experiences and advice for students.

Featured alumni include:

• Luis Amezquita, '24 | Beyond Legal Aid
• Vivian Meade, '20 | The Corps Network
• Dra. Lizbeth Román, '16 | LanguageLine Solutions

The session will also offer opportunities for networking and career tips. It is presented in partnership with the Center for Nonprofit and NGO Studies in honor of Latinx Heritage Month and is Honors and Career Services approved.

Register: https://go.niu.edu/NNGOCareerConversations

P FKN R: How Bad Bunny Became the Global Voice of Puerto Rican Resistance

Wednesday, November 4, 2026
Noon | Zoom

Join Vanessa Díaz, Ph.D., Loyola Marymount University, and Petra Rivera-Rideau, Ph.D., Wellesley College, for a virtual discussion examining Bad Bunny, Puerto Rican identity, popular culture and resistance.

Registration is required.

Treinta y tres: Rhythms of Resistance: Music, Performance, and Cultural Expression

Thursday, November 12-Friday, November 13, 2026

The Center for Latino and Latin American Studies will host its Eighth Annual Interdisciplinary Conference, bringing together perspectives on music, performance, cultural expression and resistance.

These events are a great way to explore connections among culture, community engagement, nonprofit work, social justice and career pathways while connecting with people and programs across NIU.

For additional information about Center for Latino and Latin American Studies events, contact latinostudies@niu.edu.

Attend the 2026 Illinois Innovation Network Conference

NIU students interested in clean energy, sustainable agriculture, biotechnology, community resilience, research, and innovation have an opportunity to attend the 2026 Illinois Innovation Network Conference, with funding available to help cover the trip.

The annual Illinois Innovation Network Conference will take place October 22–23, 2026, at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE). The conference brings together students, faculty researchers, program leaders, and business and industry innovators from across Illinois to explore ethical, socially engaged, and sustainable economic growth.

Present Your Work

The conference will include a poster session where students can share their research, meet potential project partners and employers, and connect their academic interests to regional innovation priorities.

Conference organizers are especially interested in projects related to:

• Clean Energy: Sustainable approaches to energy production

• Ag Tech: Next-generation agricultural technologies

• Biotechnology: Advancements in life sciences

• Social and Economic Innovation: Building resilient communities

Poster abstract deadline: September 21, 2026, at 5 p.m.

Submit a poster abstract

Funding Available for NIU Students

NICCS has funding to support up to 12 NIU students attending the conference. Support includes:

• Transportation from NIU to SIUE

• Overnight hotel accommodations

• Meal reimbursement

• Waived $20 student conference registration fee

The group will depart NIU on the morning of Thursday, October 22, and return at approximately 9 p.m. Friday, October 23.

Priority for funding will be given to students who are:

1. Presenting a poster at the conference

2. Interested in areas that align with the conference focus areas

However, all interested students are encouraged to apply.

Apply for NIU Student Support

Students interested in receiving support should email mdeitch@niu.edu with the subject line “2026 IIN Conference” by:

Friday, September 25, 2026, at 5 p.m.

Your email should answer:

• How will attending the IIN Conference support your academic interests and future goals? Please limit your response to 150 words.

• Can you attend the full conference, departing the morning of October 22 and returning the evening of October 23?

• Do you plan to present a poster? If so, include the title of your poster.

Learn more about the conference, including registration information, on the Illinois Innovation Network Conference website.

This is a great opportunity for students interested in connecting environmental and sustainability topics with research, innovation, careers, and real-world challenges across Illinois.

Data Centers & Groundwater: What it means for our water resources

 

Field/Lab Assistant Position for Fall 2026

Are you interested in ecology, prairies, and/or plant sciences and have a desire to gain some research experience? The Jones Evidence-based Restoration laboratory is currently looking for 2 undergraduate students to fill paid field/laboratory assistant positions! Students working in this position can expect to work in both field and laboratory settings. Field work will include maintaining an experimental prairie site located on the NIU campus, while laboratory work will include preparing plant samples for stable isotope analysis. No experience is necessary to apply for this position, as a major goal of this position is to help prepare students for the next steps in their career path. 

You must be a currently enrolled undergraduate student at NIU to apply. The position will run through the Fall 2026 semester and will pay $15/hour for 50 hours. This position can also count towards 1credit hour of ENVS490 or BIOS495. If interested, please send a cover letter explaining your interest, relevant experience you have, and your general career goals to Christiana (Ana) Guthrie at z1939469@students.niu.edu by Wednesday, September 16th. Please reach out to Ana with any questions you may have as well.

Hiring: Forestry Extension Program Assistant (UMD Extension)

University of Maryland Extension is currently accepting applications for a full time program assistant for our Forestry and Natural Resources program. Please share this opportunity widely with your networks; we are looking for applicants with an interest in outreach and forest stewardship in Maryland. The URL to the position posting is below, and a summary of the position is attached as a PDF.

Position Posting: https://umd.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/UMCP/job/Extension-Program-Assistant--Forestry_JR104549

This would be an excellent position for a recent college graduate who is interested in getting involved with data collection and management, scientific writing/communication, event planning, and stakeholder outreach. Applications should be submitted by September 11, 2026. Please reach out to me (dpratson@umd.edu) or Bill Hubbard (whubbard@umd.edu) with any questions.