State Relations

The Office of State Relations serves as the primary liaison between Northern Illinois University and the Illinois General Assembly, the Office of the Governor, the Illinois State Board of Higher Education, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission and other relevant state agencies and higher education advocacy organizations in order to advance the university’s education and research missions.

With input from the Office of the President and campus subject matter experts, State Relations helps shape NIU’s legislative agenda, develops legislative proposals for consideration and coordinates the university’s response to proposed legislation. The office establishes strong relationships with state agencies and officials to advocate for the university’s operating, capital and policy priorities.

Through partnership with peer institutions across the state and nation, NIU works to promote the value of postsecondary education and the positive social and economic outcomes that a thriving higher education ecosystem brings our state. NIU is actively engaged with national higher education associations such as the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, American Council on Education and American Association of Colleges and Universities.