Tracy Jones, Ed.D.

03/18/2026

2026 Business After Hours at the Rialto Theatre

I attended the Business After Hours event hosted by the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry. I met several new people and enjoyed learning about their professional backgrounds while sharing a bit about my own. It was a great evening of networking and building community connections.

03/16/2026

Here’s a brief overview of our College Readiness & Transition Program flyer. Please review it for more details.

03/16/2026

**Guest Speaker Opportunity – Podcast Episode**

I am seeking a community-oriented and enthusiastic guest speaker for an upcoming podcast episode. The ideal candidate should have experience in financial aid within higher education and a genuine passion for supporting students and families throughout the college planning process.

This episode will be recorded in person in the Joliet, IL area and will last for 30 minutes. Competitive compensation will be provided for your time and expertise.

I am looking for a professional who:

• Has experience in Financial Aid or Higher Education

• Is knowledgeable about FAFSA, scholarships, grants, or student funding processes

• Is comfortable speaking in a professional interview setting

• Is passionate about student success

If you are interested, please reach out and share your background and experience in financial aid. I look forward to connecting with professionals who are dedicated to making a positive impact in higher education.

03/16/2026

🎙️ New Podcast Episode Announcement

I am excited to announce the release of the first episode of my College Readiness podcast, which focuses on college readiness and student success. In this episode, I will discuss the importance of college readiness, identify the podcast's target audience, provide an overview of the College Readiness and Transition Program, and preview the topics I will address in future episodes.

This conversation is part of our ongoing effort to support students through our College Readiness & Transition Program and provide helpful information for students, families, and educators.

🎧 Listen to the episode and join the conversation by sharing your thoughts in the comments! https://youtu.be/80mVpSMy2_U?si=wk-cVeoIN7_oJ56q

The College Readiness Podcast is dedicated to helping high school students, GED graduates, and adult learners successfully prepare for and transition into hi...

04/26/2025

I had a wonderful time at the NACADA Region 5 Conference. All of the sessions were well-received, and I particularly enjoyed the content of the “Strengthening Online Graduate Programs” session. Thank you, everyone, for participating in this group picture!

03/21/2025

My goal for this page is to create a more personal online presence while offering various student support services. To demonstrate my commitment, I would like to share an article highlighting my academic achievements.

Tanice Fort (left) and her mother, Tracy Jones (right), graduated from the University of St. Francis in Joliet on May 6. Fort earned a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.). Jones earned a Doctor of Education. (Photo provided)

03/15/2025

Online Student Success Specialist

This is a formal introduction to myself, the Online Student Success Specialist, and the comprehensive support and guidance I provide for my programs. You can contact me by email at [email protected] or phone at (815) 753-8659. I am available for calls and emails Monday through Wednesday, 8:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m., and Thursday, 9:30 a.m.- 7:30 p.m. I welcome the opportunity to discuss your preferred program and how I can assist you in your journey.

03/14/2025

Office of Online Learning

If you want to learn more about the programs I support, please visit the Office of Online Learning's website:
https://www.niu.edu/online/student-support/success-team/tracy-jones.shtml

Also, please get in touch with me by email or phone or schedule a virtual appointment. I'm here for you, ready to answer any questions or concerns you may have. My weekly virtual office hours are every Thursday, 6pm to 7pm (CST) via Zoom: https://go.niu.edu/tracyofficehours

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03/14/2025

As an Online Student Success Specialist, I am dedicated to ensuring that NIU's prospective and new students have easy access to the support services they need. Our office has created a comprehensive video platform that introduces you to a wide range of these services, including my support with the Master of Science in Data Analysis program. To view our full list of videos, please visit the Office of Online Learning's YouTube Channel:

The Office of Online Learning supports the experience of NIU’s fully online learner student body of more than 1,100 students from their initial contact with NIU, through the application and admittance process, all the way to graduation.