2021

Modern Media Framing

"There’s so much more going on with the things that we consume than we would think. I watch a lot of bad TV, those messages, even though they’re silly and entertainment can change the way I think about things even if I don’t intend for them to."

Alumni Spotlight: Donna Deck ('97, '99)

“One of my biggest motives for writing ‘The Beginning’ was the idea that one of my great-great-grandchildren might bring the book to show-and-tell one day years into the future. It’s a piece of me that will continue on."

Senior Spotlight: Momoka Kinder

"Don’t pass on the opportunities you find at NKU ... The connections I made on the NKU Cyber Defense team landed me my dream internship at Kroger. All of these opportunities I got because of NKU. When I first started them, I had no clue it would lead up to this."

Senior Spotlight: Meg Winslow

"The research opportunities I’ve had have been really beneficial. Not just about the research but also building professional relationships and networking in my professional life."

Senior Spotlight: Emma Webster

"I think it all came down to finding out what I liked and what was my niche, which these classes let me do. The big projects also helped prepare me for my career."

A Historic Save

"No matter what happens, I want to stay true to who I am. It’s such a big deal to me to have this opportunity. Everything I worked for led to this moment, and I know how many doors can open just from this chance. "

Student Spotlight: Chandra Huff

“The information I’m learning and the feedback I’m getting from my professors—and even my classmates—is going to make me a better social worker."

Orientation Leader Spotlight: Julia Bottoms

"I have had the most amazing professors and bosses here at NKU that truly seek to cultivate an environment where students from all walks of life with a diverse array of dreams and aspirations can thrive throughout their time in college and beyond."

Building Belongingness through Peer Mentors in STEM

"We’re hoping we’ll be able to take what we learned this past fall, apply it and continue on to grow the program and its impacts."

Norse Skolars

"When students have a place or a familiar face that they can connect with on campus, it does help with alleviating some stress. It helps students feel more connected at the university and to have that sense of security that someone cares.”

Healthy Minds Survey

"This will not be a one and done experiment. It’s going to be an on-going process for us to continue to evaluate what we’re doing and how we can continue to best care for our campus community."

Flynn’s Corner: A Conversation with Devon Skeens

"Know yourself well enough to know where you want to go and where you want law school to take you."

Student Spotlight: Duncan Rebilas

"There is an organization for everyone. Even if you have problems making friends or just don’t like going out after class, there are so many people out there that share your interests and I have found numerous lifelong friendships at NKU by joining an organization. Don’t be afraid to get out there."

"Something I want people to know about NKU is that even through all of the recent struggles, I have found people that are fighting back for us and are willing to do what is needed in order for their voice to be heard."

"Getting my degree is important to me because I know it will help me get a better job after graduation. I know I will also make important connections during my time at NKU."

Designing New Spaces

“I still value a lot of the things I learned from not just from my full-time faculty at NKU, but even more so the adjuncts. The ones that were bringing in their personal, professional experience from the industry, into the classroom as well.”

"You never know what trying new things may bring. I went from leaving school, no real motivation for finishing my degree, to someone who is back in school, later in life, excited every day that I get to be a student again.”

Students 2 Scholars

"We definitely didn’t want our sophomores to feel left out and continuing that support system is important. They need a professional network of support and to see people that look like them within their profession."

An Educated Choice For Care

“These people are already in crisis. We want to eliminate the confusion and provide an educated choice."

Student Spotlight: Kylie Griffey

"As a first-generation college student and as a student with disabilities, getting this degree shows that there are no limitations to what I can do, and nothing can hold me back from what I want to do."

A Pure Coincidence

"NKU greatly shaped my life. It’s a great place to get an education, and I want others to have an experience like mine."

Erasing the Stigma

"We need to educate as many people as we can in our communities and things like that, so people can live a healthy, productive life."

“Don’t take for granted the opportunities that this school has to offer. I came to NKU as a shy person and left a strong leader."

"When prospective students or parents ask what you can do with a humanities degree, we always say, ‘Well, you can do anything."

"I’ve had many opportunities to meet various faculty members and students who have all helped me improve my skills, both technical and interpersonal."

"I never thought I would end up at NKU but now here I am graduating as the COI commencement speaker. It’s been a really exciting journey."

"Getting my degree means that I have completed my one of my biggest goals and can finally become a teacher. With my degree, I will be able to create a fun and safe place for my students as well as be a leader for them."

Celebrating Our May 2021 Graduates

There are a handful of outstanding graduating seniors who Northern Kentucky University would like to recognize for their personal commitments to their classwork, the university and the surrounding communities.

Commencement Survival Guide

It's almost time to take that final walk across the stage. We gathered some tips to help you prepare for the big day.

"We are all connected. When I am well, it allows me to uplift the people around me. When you are well, it benefits me. This is the essence of a True Community."

"Your experience here at NKU really is what you make of it ... The more you get involved, the more you find what you are passionate about and find people who help you reach your goals."

"It's very rewarding to be part of such amazing environmental endeavors. I was always torn between a few different areas of chemistry, but I believe environmental chemistry has my heart.”

"[Dr. Hare] has been an excellent mentor all four years I spent here. With his guidance, I have grown a lot as a scientist."

"My greatest passion is serving others. Helping other people with whatever they need is something that makes me happy and feel more accomplished in my day."

"I always try to leave a place, group or organization that I am a part of in a better place than when I found it.”

"NKU is a super welcoming place, and nine times out of 10 you’ll make some of the best friends you ever had!"

“All I’ve ever wanted to do was advocate for others, especially those who face the biggest roadblocks."

“The close-knit nature of the education program allowed us to have multiple classes together. I simply cannot help but smile when thinking about the laughter and memories we have shared."

"I am extremely grateful for my experience here at NKU, and as I reflect on my last four years and my class’ last four years, I really believe that NKU has given me and my class the chance to shine in our time here."

“NKU is a special place, and anyone who has gone here or will go here will find out that NKU students, faculty and staff are amazing people who want the best for you and help you get there.”

Stepping into the Digital Age

"Digital technology will enable us to display the collection more fully, and reach a much wider audience, than could have been possible in a published book."

The Golden Ticket

"It’s really special to me to touch someone through the TV screen and impact them with my love and passion. No matter what I’m doing, I want to make people smile and feel important."

NKU Magazine Winter 2021

The Winter 2021 issue of NKU Magazine takes a look back at 2020.

Standing Up Against Racial Injustice

In the wake of a turbulent year, the NKU community explored ways to dismantle racism and amplify Black voices.

Coping with COVID

Let’s be honest, COVID-19 changed life as we know it. Not only did the virus affect thousands of businesses and organizations, it temporarily shut down Northern Kentucky University’s on-campus operations for the first time in our 52-year history.

It Takes a Village

“It’s become this great big collaboration in Newport to ensure that internet access isn’t a barrier to learning. We work on that every day.”

Expect the Unexpected

"We focused a lot on cluster care. We tried to get everything done all at once as much as we could while we were in rooms to be as efficient as possible."

A Quarantine Hobby

“None of us had worn masks for an extended period of time—or at all. It’s uncomfortable. The whole point of these clips was to get stress off the ears.”

Severe Learning Curve

“We jumped into action and did what teachers always do… we made it work. The collaborating and support that we did made everything about moving to distance learning possible.”

A Crafty Adventure

"I love to crochet, and my husband loves to knit. So, when we saw there was a need for masks along with a sale on sewing machines at Joann Fabrics, we knew what we had to do.”

Learn to Adapt

“I was in awe at the dedication that my fellow nurses had. They are truly some of the most remarkable people I’ve ever met. The sacrifices they’re making every day for their patients and students is amazing.”

Humans of Greater Cincinnati

More than 50 incoming Northern Kentucky University students shot videos, took photographs and documented their unique, personal stories throughout 2020.

Black History Month 2021

In honor of Black History Month, Northern Kentucky University would like to recognize our community of students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Laying A Brick

"It’s important to have affinity programs on college campuses to support different populations. It provides students with a sense of belonging—a place they can call theirs and be their authentic selves."

Always Keep Exploring

“Even though Black History Month is only one month long, I’m Black every day of the year. Black History Month is an extended way for me to show up and support my community, and to really be involved and celebrate everything that’s been accomplished to this day.”

5,000 Miles Later

"I think it is important to recognize and celebrate the thousands of important contributions people of African descent made to not only American and world history but even to our communities and culture today."

A Moment of Celebration

"Black history is a lifestyle that we live every day."

Recognizing Excellence

"I view Black history as American history and it should be celebrated all year, but this month gives us time as a country to truly appreciate the contributions of Black people to American society and beyond."

Celebrating Differences

“You have to realize two things: everyone is different, and there is something special about you. Once you realize that, you should celebrate it and help others celebrate their differences.”

Flynn's Corner: A Conversation with Terrance McCraney

"Deciding to go north from Louisville was an amazing step toward developing the Terrance I am today."

Building a Dream from Scratch

“This isn’t really about fashion. It’s about the feeling you get when you walk out the door."