Our Staff

Administrative Team

Andrea Radasanu, Ph.D.
Director, University Honors
aradasanu@niu.edu

I am so pleased to be director of the University Honors Program. It is very exciting to lead the program in encouraging academic excellence and enhanced educational experiences, while fostering a close-knit and inclusive community of Huskies that will last well beyond graduation.

In my faculty role, I study the history of political philosophy and teach courses that focus on liberalism, democratic theory and the ethics of war and span both ancient and modern political thought. I am devoted to enriched undergraduate education in and out of the classroom. Among other activities in this arena, I am editor-in-chief of the online undergraduate journal Compass: An Undergraduate Journal of American Political Ideas. I am proud to have won the Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award in 2012 and the Honors Great Professor Award in 2019.

Please visit us in the Campus Life Building to learn how we can provide you with transformative academic, co- and extra-curricular experiences.

Edye Cowan, M.S.Ed.
Associate Director of Academic Strategic Planning
ecowan@niu.edu
815-753-9397

As the associate director of academic strategic planning, my work includes collaborating with NIU colleges and campus offices to promote and advance the University Honors Program. I serve as one of the program advisors and supervise Honors Fellows. In addition, I support students as they complete their Senior Honors Capstone projects.

Before moving to Illinois in 2009, I worked as a teacher in the K-12 public education system in Shiprock and Albuquerque, New Mexico, and concluded my teaching career as an inclusion specialist in Davis, California. I earned my bachelor's degree from New Mexico State University in elementary education with an endorsement in special education and my master's degree in adult and higher education at NIU.

After being part of the NIU Honors Program for several years, it has been my privilege to mentor students as they work to meet their professional and personal goals and complete honors program requirements. I encourage interested students to meet with me to explore the wonderful opportunities and experiences available to them in the program!

Connie Storey, M.S.Ed.
Associate Director of Scholarships and Fellowships
cstorey2@niu.edu
815-753-9505

As the associate director of scholarships and fellowships, I am here to help students search for and apply for scholarships specific to honors and fellowships to help with graduate school. My goal is to help students gain the experiences they need and pair them with the right mentors to make them competitive to obtain funding. I also work with students to help them with EYE grants or alternative funding. Additionally, I work with McKearn Fellows to help them develop their research projects or find mentors, complete their research and obtain the funding they need.

I received my bachelor's degree in business management and my master's degree in adult and higher education here at NIU. I have also worked here full-time for over 10 years. I have a passion for NIU and helping students succeed. I am confident that if I do not know the answer, I can find someone who does!

Ashlyn Straka
Assistant Director of Programming and Communications
astraka1@niu.edu
815-753-1963

As the assistant director of programming and communication, I organize co-curricular and extra-curricular activities for University Honors students, manage the Honors House living-learning community, and oversee the Honors Connect 10 as well as alumni-related programming. In addition, I manage all of the University Honors social media accounts, newsroom, and communication/promotion strategies like our weekly updates and alumni newsletters.

I received my bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and then came to NIU and earned my master's degree in higher education and student affairs. I started my professional career here as well working as a residence hall director before transitioning to working in this role.

I am so excited to be part of the Honors Program community and look forward to working with you all!

Ryan Downum
Program Advisor
rdownum@niu.edu
815-753-6317

As the program advisor, I advise University Honors students on honors requirements, provide support and help connect students to the wonderful resources available on campus to ensure their success in the program and at NIU. I also assist in promoting and advancing the University Honors Program.

Prior to joining NIU, I taught first-year writing/composition at the community college and university level. I received my associate degree from the College of Lake County, my bachelor’s degree in creative writing with a minor in history from Knox College, and my master’s degree in creative writing-poetry from the University of Idaho.

I am so excited to join the Honors and NIU communities. I look forward to working with and getting to know you all and assisting in whatever ways I can to ensure you successfully meet your academic, professional and personal goals!

April Buckley
Administrative Aide
abuckley@niu.edu
815-753-9398

I'm currently the administrative aide in the University Honors Program. I was an RFP Manager in my last role. My professional background spans over 25 years in several different environments. Property management, association, political, public and financial. I'm excited to be here assisting the department and watching the students excel.