Insights: Northeastern Illinois University

Issue 4, August 2009

NEIU Honored for Collaboration with ASPIRA

Northeastern Illinois University recently was honored at ASPIRA of Illinois' 40th anniversary gala with the organization's Community/Education Partnership Award. The award was presented in recognition of the University's many years of collaboration with ASPIRA to strengthen and establish educational opportunities for Latino youth.

In 2002, ASPIRA of Illinois and NEIU signed a formal partnership agreement of collaboration to provide educational opportunities to the Latino community. The creation of the ASPIRA Early College High School in 2008 at NEIU's El Centro campus has been one of the most visible outcomes of this partnership. Through this initiative, students of the ASPIRA Early College High School can earn up to two years of college credit before their high school graduation.

Billy Hahs; NEIU President Sharon Hahs; Libby Komaiko, professor, dance, and artistic director, Ensemble Espanol; Jorge Perez, administrative director, Ensemble Espanol; and Allen Hailey, director, corporate and foundation relations.

Heather Patay, academic development; Diane Ehrlich, professor, educational leadership and development; Vicki Roman-Lagunas, associate provost; Wamucii Njogu, Dean, College of Arts and Sciences.