Julie Navicaks, recipient of the Excellence Award for Outstanding Teaching by an Administrative Professional.
Julie Navickas ’07, M.S. ’10, M.S. ’18, was recently honored with the Excellence Award for Outstanding Teaching by an Administrative Professional through the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Illinois State University. This award, as a part of the College’s annual recognition ceremony, is among the highest honors bestowed upon an administrative professional by the college.
This is a peer-determined award that recognizes and rewards the administrative professional with the most extraordinary record of teaching in the prior three years. Navickas was nominated for this award by Steve Hunt, the executive director of Illinois State’s School of Communication, and Elizabeth Chupp, director of Advisement for the school.
As a first-generation college student, Navickas graduated from Illinois State with a Bachelor of Science. An accomplished academic, Navickas earned a master’s in communication and a master’s in English studies from Illinois State. She worked in the nonprofit sector before returning to Illinois State in 2013 as an academic advisor and lecturer in the School of Communication.
Her teaching style utilizes a blended approach, infusing her advising into the classroom. In each class, she helps students find the utility in the lessons that is easily translated into the world by “creating a classroom environment that’s holistic, inclusive, and making sure that everyone is having a positive experience.” Navickas works hard to ensure this unique experience to her students.
Reflecting back on her time at Illinois State, Navickas stated: “I started my academic career here and I found a home here on campus in 2006, and here in 2019 I’m still here in the same place, in the same building, with the same people, and there’s a reason for that. This place is genuinely the best experience I’ve ever had and one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
Navickas is a true Redbird at heart. “I love this place. I’m going to be a Redbird forever.”
