Madelyn Anderson, M.A. '92: Huskies Never Quit. They Volunteer.
By Lia Kizilbash Gillet
Madelyn Anderson, M.A. '92, is an alumna and NIU instructor. She volunteers to support students because "Huskies never quit." (Photo: Wade Duerkes, NIU)
NIU instructor and alumna Madelyn Anderson, M.A. ’92, was taught at a young age that a community’s health is influenced by its citizens’ engagement.
Today, as an engaged volunteer, NIU is the benefactor of her Huskie Pride and service. Anderson says one of her favorite NIU phrases is “Huskies. Never. Quit.” because it is poignantly accurate, referencing NIU students as some of the hardest-working, industrious, creative and dedicated people. To show students her support, Anderson volunteers.
Anderson frequently volunteers at the Huskie Food Pantry, serving individually and as a faculty member with her students. She has also volunteered for programs such as NIU Cares Day, NIU Advocacy Day in Springfield, STEM Fest, the university gardens, career preparation workshops, Homecoming, and the Honors Program.
“I have been involved in non-profit work, community service, and advocacy most of my life, both as a volunteer and a professional,” Anderson said. “At NIU, I have found a wonderful, spirited community of alumni, students, faculty and staff who work incredibly hard to support our amazing campus. As an alumna and teacher, it has been my mission to serve our students and support their learning opportunities in and outside of the classroom.”
Driven by her primary goal of finding volunteer opportunities that directly benefit students, which in turn benefit the university, Anderson offers the following examples of volunteer impact:
Madelyn Anderson poses with student volunteers at NIU Cares Day. (Photo: Madelyn Anderson)
Food Insecurity
Volunteering at the Huskie Food Pantry puts Anderson on the front lines, tackling the unfortunate and significant reality of food security among college-age students.
“Students living with chronic food insecurity are more at risk in terms of their academic success, health, etc.,” she said. “As a teacher, I have witnessed the impact of food insecurity, which is heartbreaking. Volunteering at the pantry and setting up food drives can make a real difference because our food pantry relies heavily on volunteer support to continue serving our students.”
Career Preparation
Volunteering at programs that support students’ career preparation and practical use of critical career-ready skills allows Anderson to guide and mentor the next generation of professionals.
“I am keenly aware of the importance for students to acquire communication skills that will maximize their ability to be effective in the workforce and other social contexts,” she said. “Volunteering at programs such as the Career Preparation Workshop offer a wonderful opportunity for students to learn and practice skills to build their communication competency and confidence. Students receive ideas and mentorship from our alumni volunteers and begin networking with them! This program is of tremendous value to our students.”
Fostering Active Citizenship
Volunteering at NIU Cares Day and NIU Advocacy Day enables Anderson to serve the community alongside students and foster a connection to promote a lifelong commitment to civic engagement.
“By volunteering alongside our students, I can enrich their experience to help them see the value of building community and participating in advocacy work,” she said. “These civic engagement opportunities enable students to be active citizens by serving our community on and off-campus and to advocate for NIU with alumni and faculty, staff and administration at the state level.”
Students, faculty, staff and alumni stop for a photo in Springfield, Illinois, during NIU Advocacy Day. (Photo: Madelyn Anderson)Whether witnessing the joy on her students’ faces after volunteering together at the Huskie Food Pantry, the rewarding conversations while riding the bus to campus after NIU Advocacy Day, or picking and cleaning produce from the university garden to then see it in the food pantry, Anderson says volunteering is a privilege and a joy—and part of her definition of a true Huskie.
Coming to NIU after working for over ten years in media, audience development for public radio, and non-profit arts administration, Anderson graduated with distinction with a Master of Arts in communication and a graduate emphasis in women’s studies.
Anderson teaches a public speaking course in the Honors Program emphasizing service learning. She was awarded the “Great Professor” award by the University Honors Program and the “Sharon Davis Women Who Make a Difference” Award by the NIU Presidential Commission for the Status of Women. In addition, she was named one of NIU's “Engaged Learning Exemplars” and received an “Outstanding Service Award” for her work in coordinating the COMS 100 Program.
“I have been fortunate to be able to extend my volunteer service with the NIU Alumni Association,” Anderson said. “This is a wonderful facet of outreach to, with, and for our students.”
NIU alumni volunteer their time in meaningful ways. Want to brainstorm ways you can get involved? Contact Liz McKee, M.S.Ed. '14 at lmckee1@niu.edu or 815-753-7400.