National Louis University

🔹140 Stories of Impact🔹

"What moves me most about being part of this community is how aspiration and inspiration intertwine. At NLU, we do not just teach or learn; we engage in a collective pursuit of inclusion, innovation, and reflection. There is a shared belief that education is a vehicle for social change and that every learner, regardless of background, deserves the opportunity to thrive. I find genuine joy in our collective commitment to reimagining what it means to teach, lead, and support one another—especially in times that test our resilience and values."

-Shawn Prakash Reddy, PhD
Director of Educator Preparation and Field Experience Programs

That's not all to Shawn's story. See what else he has to share at https://www.140.nl.edu or share your own story of impact at https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/b6852c8544cb496e96fb33923af322df

🔹140 Acts of Service🔹

Katie Hogan got to put her work into practice through her service.

"My friend Rachel and I volunteered with the Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago, a group of Catholic nuns who run a monthly food pantry serving over 300 people in the Humboldt Park area. We sorted clothing donations and loaded food into people's cars, connecting with many families along the way. It was humbling to see how needed this service was, with people lining up before we even arrived. As someone who researches food insecurity for work, volunteering reminded me of the profound power in simply walking alongside someone and offering help — a beautiful way to honor All Saints' Day."

-Katie Hogan, Institutional Advancement Associate, Foundation Relations

Katie isn't the only one serving the community. Find more stories like this at https://www.140.nl.edu or share your own act of service at https://lnkd.in/gg3BDVsD

This Memorial Day, we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. We also recognize the veterans and military-connected students who continue their journey at NLU bringing leadership, resilience, and service into our classrooms and community.

NLU hosted their annual student leadership awards ceremony this week. So many inspiring stories of student leaders driving change, impact, and connection at NLU and beyond were shared. Congratulations to the 2026 award winners! Your work is what makes NLU great!

🔹140 Stories of Impact🔹

Sharon stepped onto NLUS's campus in 1970 and is still feeling the impact to this day.

"Coming to Evanston from New York and choosing NLU was the best decision I ever made. Its strong academic program, demo school, and diverse students from across the country and offshore introduced me to so much. I have never seen such a strong program, with extensive classroom time, observation, half-day and full-day student teaching, and full immersion in the arts to ensure we were well prepared. National’s outstanding reputation drew school districts nationwide and offshore to recruit its teachers. I was truly ready for my career."

-Sharon “Rieck” Burstein
Psychology and Education
Class of 1974

Get the rest of Sharon's story at https://www.140.nl.edu or share your own story of impact at https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/b6852c8544cb496e96fb33923af322df

Our 140th Anniversary Luncheon was a chance to reflect on what NLU has built over fourteen decades and to celebrate the people who made it possible. That included a special recognition of President Nivine Megahed, whose sixteen years of leadership have shaped this university in lasting ways.

We're proud of where this university has been, and look forward to where it’s going.

🔹140 Acts of Service🔹

The work that happens in the classroom translates to life at home. Latoya has felt that firsthand in her service.

"Shoveling snow so my little ones could play safely and joyfully was a simple but rewarding act of care. Moments like these reflect the values I carry as an NLU student: a commitment to showing up for others, nurturing the people around me, and representing my community with intention and pride."

-Latoya Harris, Student

There are more stories like Latoya's at https://www.140.nl.edu or share your own act of service at https://lnkd.in/gg3BDVsD

NLU's 2026 CSIS Tech Summit brought together students, faculty, and industry professionals for a day of innovation and discovery! From breakout sessions on AI, Cybersecurity, Market Analytics, and Game Development, to 10 student Tech Project Showcase presentations and an industry speaker panel — the summit was a tremendous success. A huge thank you to the CSIS Department, Centro de Excelencia, and Career Bridge for making it all happen, and to our DOE STEM Grant for the support.

🔹140 Stories of Impact🔹

Salisia's story proves that every success starts with a spark.

"The education, mentorship, and unwavering support I received at NLU empowered me to grow both personally and professionally. Shortly after graduating, I launched my nonprofit organization, Blue Freedom Project, which has since raised over $20,000 to support victims and survivors of human trafficking. In 2019, I founded Provision Ecommerce Company, a consulting startup that achieved six-figure revenue in its first year. NLU sparked my entrepreneurial spirit and gave me the confidence to lead with purpose. My NLU experience gave me the foundation to dream big, lead change, and make a meaningful impact in the world."

-Salisia Weber, M.S.
Written Communication
Class of 2016

Salisia's story isn't over yet. Hear the rest of it at https://www.140.nl.edu or share your own story of impact at https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/b6852c8544cb496e96fb33923af322df