Shannice Berry, '10, M.S.Ed. '12: Higher Education, Higher Purpose
By Lia Kizilbash Gillet
Shannice Berry, '10, M.S.Ed. '12, volunteers as a mentor and is a member of the Greek Alumni Council (Photo: Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce)
The potential to impact and influence keeps Shannice Berry, ’10, M.S.Ed. ’12, involved as an NIU alumni volunteer, while attending events allows her to connect with others who share her love for NIU.
Berry is a member of the Greek Alumni Council, where she serves as the events coordinator. Attending the Chicago Fire tailgate co-sponsored by the NIU Latino Alumni Council and the Greek Alumni Council offered Berry more than a fun game-day tailgate experience.
“The sense of community and camaraderie during such events is heartwarming and makes you feel part of something bigger,” she said.
This year, Berry is celebrating 15 years of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. membership; she was initiated at the Zeta Iota chapter while at NIU. As an undergrad, she served as the first vice president for the chapter and remains active with the Chicago Metropolitan Alumnae chapter.
Berry also volunteers as a mentor with the Dr. Laverne Gyant mentoring program.
Dr. Gyant, whom Berry affectionately calls “Dr. G,” became her mentor and close friend after Dr. G served as the advisor to the S.I.S.T.E.R.S. organization and Black Graduate Student Association, both of which Berry was a member. Berry chose to get involved as a way to honor Dr. G and her commitment to NIU, and help current students in the College of Education boost their self-confidence and empower them to succeed.
“The Dr. Laverne Gyant mentorship program holds an extraordinary place in my heart,” she said. “If I can share my experiences with current and prospective students, I am delighted to do so, as I understand the importance of reaching back and encouraging current Huskies.”
Berry’s engagement in student organizations as an undergraduate and graduate student inspired her to volunteer and share her passion with fellow Huskies.
As a Lincoln Hall community advisor for four years, Berry was dedicated to creating a strong, inclusive community within the residence hall, ensuring that every student felt connected and supported during their time on campus. She actively worked to link students to valuable on-campus resources to enhance their academic and personal experiences while maintaining a welcoming and safe environment on her assigned floor.
“I prioritized fostering an atmosphere where residents could thrive socially and academically while feeling secure and supported in their living space,” she said.
Berry also served as the community relations chairperson and as a graduate student advisor for the S.I.S.T.E.R.S. organization. Her role as graduate student advisor centered on fostering a supportive, empowering environment for the organization's leadership and members.
“I worked closely with them to help ensure they thrived in their roles, stayed aligned with the organization’s mission, and upheld institutional and organizational policies—all while collaborating with my co-graduate advisor,” Berry said. “The role served as a bridge between the student leaders and the faculty advisor, promoting open communication and unity. My goal was to nurture a sense of sisterhood, personal growth and collective success within the organization.”
At NIU, Berry was introduced to the idea of a career working in higher education. Her residence hall director talked to her about pursuing a master’s degree in education and explained how Berry’s role as a residence advisor fit into student affairs. Berry took the advice to heart and in 2012, graduated with a Master of Science in Education with a major focus in adult and higher education. She went on to earn her Ph.D. in educational administration and foundations from Illinois State University.
Today, Berry serves as the associate dean of instruction at Kennedy-King College. Before this, she was the assistant dean of first-year experience and transition at Wilbur Wright College.
Shannice Berry poses with Victor E. Huskie while a student at NIU (Photo: Shannice Berry)Berry said her work in higher education and positive experiences at NIU drive her decision to volunteer. She encourages others who are considering volunteering to start small, noting that there are many opportunities to volunteer with NIU, and some are as simple as writing a postcard.
“Your voice and experience are essential in inspiring the next generation of Huskies,” she said. “Do what you can.”
Berry hopes the next generation of Huskies will gain lifelong friends, memorable experiences and an appreciation for their university.
“My experience as a volunteer and my work as a higher education professional has given me a greater appreciation for the commitment and work ethic of the staff at NIU,” she said. “As a student, it is easy to overlook the day-to-day operations of an institution, the amount of time and effort that goes into hosting programs and providing student support services. So, my ability to volunteer and understand the potential and possible impact of the work is always exciting, and I want to give back to an institution that has given me so much.
"I know for a fact it makes a difference and helps push the mission of the university forward.”