The Back to School Way

A roundup of 71 North updates

The Back to School Way

Welcome Back to School, Huskies!

The first week of classes at NIU is here, and with it comes the excitement of a fresh start, new opportunities, and the joy of reconnecting with our vibrant community. Whether you're a returning member or a new face, we're thrilled to have you as part of the 71 North community!

Our studio is already alive with energy—catching-up conversations echo through the spaces, and new plans are taking shape. It's a time for talented students, dedicated professors, and passionate academic staff to come together, share ideas, and kick off another incredible semester.

There's nothing quite like the buzz of the first week, and it's even better when it's filled with the smiles of progress and the enthusiasm of our returning members. The excitement is contagious, and we can't wait to see all the amazing things we'll accomplish together this semester.

Let's make this year engaging—full of creativity, presence, and purpose. Welcome back, and here's to a fantastic start!

The Opportunity Zone: Welcoming Asian American Engineering Students

The Opportunity Zone: A New Hub for Collaboration at 71 North

Last week, we soft-launched the Opportunity Zone, a dedicated area in our space designed to foster collaboration and create new opportunities. The Opportunity Zone is all about being intentional in how we connect, engage, and innovate together. It's where student organizations can thrive and outreach programs can welcome new participants.

Our first event in the Opportunity Zone was a warm welcome for a group of Asian American Engineering students, held in partnership with the Asian American Resource Center. The flexible setup of the Opportunity Zone allowed Director Michelle Bringas and her team to effectively present and engage with participants, making it a successful and enriching experience for everyone involved.

The Opportunity Zone is a dynamic space. Every Wednesday, it transforms into a VR demo and outreach hub, offering hands-on experiences and showcasing the latest in virtual reality.

We're excited to see how this new addition to 71 North will continue to bring people together and drive forward our mission of fostering innovation and collaboration. Stay tuned for more events and activities as the Opportunity Zone evolves.

Mountains never meet, but people do.

Lumasaba Proverb

This Week at 71 North

A Semester of Growth and Innovation Begins

We're kicking off this week with a bang at 71 North, packed with exciting courses, workshops, and the return of some of our community's favorite activities!

Monday at 3:30 PM: Public Health Communication

We're thrilled to welcome back Dr. Lynn Herrmann and her Public Health Communication course, building on the success of last semester's launch. Thanks to its impactful content and engaging format, the course has nearly doubled enrollment this semester. The cartoon workshop was a smashing hit, and we can't wait to see what this semester brings!

Tuesday & Wednesday from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM: Sport Management Innovation Lab

Dr. Chung and Dr. Ishaq are back with the Sport Management Innovation Lab, which is running on both Tuesday and Wednesday. This lab is a prospectus of research and project work, pushing the boundaries of what students in Sport Management can achieve through innovation and collaboration.

Wednesday at 5:00 PM: ECON 691 Debuts

We're excited to introduce ECON 691, a new course led by a collective of Professors from the Department of Economics, including our very own Dr. Anna Klis. This course is a propeller for students interested in research tools for economists, covering Python, R, Julia, and LaTeX. It's also the first course to adopt Tech Tacos as a complementary activity—an exciting tradition that restarts next week!

Looking Ahead: Tech Taco Tuesdays Starting Next Week

Speaking of Tech Tacos, remember to save the date for our first Tech Taco Tuesday next week! We'll save you a taco as we dive into GitHub tools and enjoy some La Salsa tasty bites together.

This week marks the beginning of what promises to be a semester of growth, learning, and innovation. Whether diving into public health, sport management, or economics, let's make this week a start to a semester full of opportunities!

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