Imagine first-year and sophomore students interviewing faculty members associated with their major, discussing possible research projects and sharing common passions. Picture these students attending student organizational meetings, learning about services available to them, assessing their “fit” for their major, and reflecting upon their professional goals. These are some outcomes that faculty in the special education program at Northern Illinois University (NIU) envisioned when we developed the one-credit Introduction to the Major course four years ago.
Beyond Programs: Leadership Lessons from Ireland’s Inclusive Universities
During a recent sabbatical studying inclusive postsecondary education in Ireland, I visited four universities—University College Cork, Trinity College Dublin, Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, and Mary Immaculate
Ashley Rodrigues
July 20, 2026
