| VIEW IN BROWSER |
| Staff Newsletter | April 2024 |
Dear colleagues,
At Northwestern, we are fortunate to be consistently presented with new opportunities for learning. A current speaker series, “Israel & Palestine: Joint Speaker Series Exploring Fundamental History,” offers just that opportunity for those seeking a better understanding of the actors, geography and contested narratives in the region.
Jointly sponsored by the Roberta Buffett Institute for Global Affairs, the Middle East and North Africa Studies Program, and the Crown Family Center for Jewish and Israel Studies, the series seeks to unpack the complex history from the late 19th century through the mid-20th century. The sessions, which started April 4 and will continue through May 29, feature renowned scholars from the U.S. and abroad from a wide range of personal and academic backgrounds. For session dates, descriptions and scholar bios, visit the speaker series events page. The talks also will be recorded and made available online.
This timely and relevant series has already been well received by our community. I want to thank the faculty and staff who were involved in bringing it to life.
Sincerely,
Kathleen Hagerty |
All about the staff |
Meet Erin Northington
Erin Northington is the Susan and Stephen Wilson Associate Director of Campus and Community Education and Engagement at The Block Museum of Art, where she has been since 2020. One of her areas of interest is “how museums can support identity formation and development for college students.” Since arriving, she has created the Block Museum Student Associates program, made up of students from across disciplines who serve as tour guides, public facilitators and peer-to-peer ambassadors for the museum on campus. She also leads collaborations with NU Athletics to create opportunities for student-athletes, coaches and staff to have meaningful encounters with works of art.
What makes The Block special?
It’s hard to pick just one thing, but I think my colleagues and their commitment to supporting the Northwestern student experience make the museum a very special place. The Block’s team is extraordinarily talented, curious, welcoming and dedicated to sharing the museum as a crucial space for teaching and learning. We are inspired by the power of the great works of art in our collection and how they spark new ideas, drive scholarship, invite multiple perspectives and hold space for dialogue. I learn from our students at The Block every day – they also make the museum a very special place.
What three works from The Block’s collection most inspire you?
There are too many to choose from. “She's Mighty, Mighty” by Deborah Roberts inspires me by the breadth and depth of multidisciplinary teaching opportunities and dialogue it supports. The group portrait “Perennial Blossom, from the series Parting Gift” by Leonard Suryajaya is a personal favorite because it was created through a multi-year collaboration between Northwestern students and the artist. “Perennial Blossom” features 13 of our Block Museum Student Associates presenting themselves how they wish to be seen and was recently selected for a public art installation on the Chicago Riverwalk that explores how diverse communities make Chicago a home. I also always love spending time with “Cherokee Burden Basket: A Song for Balance” by Shan Goshorn (Eastern Band of Cherokee). Weaving historical texts, treaties and harmful language with prayers and Cherokee songs of healing and balance, this work reframes dominant historical narratives and invites us to reflect on our obligations to each other.
Please share something about yourself that people may not know.
I didn’t have a lot of access to museums growing up, and was rejected from every museum internship I applied for in college. I think this is somewhat of a unique experience for a museum professional and always want my students to know that it’s not about where you start, but what you do with the opportunities you have. I am grateful for those who opened doors for me, and am committed to holding those same doors open for others.
Staff who started roles in March
Buffett Institute for Global Affairs
Enrollment
Financial Aid
Congratulations are in order Congratulations to ASLA Peer Leader Umar Kamara, winner of this year’s Student Employee of the Year Award in Community Service! The award recognized Kamara’s tireless work as a study group facilitator in ASLA’s Midquarter Mentored Study Group program. Read more about Kamara’s recognition. |
News, notes and need to know |
New professional development opportunities Spring has arrived, and so has a new round of Office of the Provost Professional Development programs. But first, thank you to all of the organizers of and participants in recent events, including the Center for Civic Engagement for an enjoyable and informative Evanston bus tour (a moment of which is captured above). Here's what's next:
Performance Excellence reminders Northwestern’s Performance Excellence is a year-round experience driven by staff members and supervisors to support individual development and help teams, departments and the University become stronger and more effective. Activities such as goal-setting, check-ins and performance reviews involve both conversations and online tracking and recording. Here is the timeline for this process.
Updates from the Office of Global Safety and Security
Calling expecting parents The Office of Human Resources is hosting its first-ever baby shower for all new and expecting parents this spring to connect, share experiences and access resources. The shower will take place April 30 in Evanston (Norris) and May 7 in Chicago (Abbott Hall). Both events will be held from noon-1 p.m. Register here.
In case you missed it
|
Mark your calendar |
University event highlights
Key dates
More resources Help us build future newsletters! If your unit is working on a project that is relevant to the entire Office of the Provost, or if you have awards, honors or accomplishments to share, send an email to officeoftheprovost@northwestern.edu. |
|
Learn more about the Office of the Provost |
