Beginning this semester, Lee and Husar have been appointed director and staff fellow, respectively, in the College of Business’ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) office.
Chih-Chen Lee brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to his new role.
Lee arrived at NIU in 2005 after following in his father’s footsteps, who taught accounting in Taiwan, after earning his master’s and doctorate in accounting from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He previously taught at Florida International University for five years.
“When I visited campus and met the faculty, I immediately felt a connection and knew I wanted to work with them,” she said. “NIU’s accounting program is nationally renowned and I wanted to contribute to that tradition.”
Lee also noted that the university community is people-centered and genuinely cares about students and each other, a culture that has allowed her to form deep connections at NIU.
During her tenure, Lee gained many experiences that are relevant to her new role. She served as chair of the American Accounting Association’s Forensic Accounting Section, working closely with the organization to develop programs that benefit both the profession and the academic community. As Director of Global Studies in Accounting, she works with partner schools to expand international student recruitment to the NIU College of Business and help students become well-adjusted global citizens. Additionally, her academic research has included extensive collaborations with diverse scholars from Asia, Europe, Australia and North America, including those from ethnic minorities and the LGBTQ+ community.
“The exchange of ideas across countries and cultures enriches my perspective and strengthens my respect for diversity,” she said.
As coordinator of the School of Business’ International Business Seminar (IBS), Lee works with a variety of stakeholders and accompanies students as they are immersed in unfamiliar cultural and business environments.
“This experience has heightened my sensitivity to DEI issues and my ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds,” she says. “And as an Asian female faculty member, I understand the challenges and successes of DEI firsthand, and I find it deeply meaningful to support first-generation and underrepresented students at NIU and foster their academic and career success.”
To deepen her expertise, she has pursued professional development opportunities through the American Accounting Association, including an Inclusive Classroom course and the DEIB Certificate, “The Architecture of Inclusion.”
“As a first-generation immigrant to the United States, I am passionate about DEI, and our commitment to DEI is essential to the long-term success of the College of Business,” she says. “Diverse perspectives drive innovation and enable us to more effectively solve complex business challenges. An inclusive environment fosters a sense of belonging for all students, faculty and staff, leading to increased engagement and retention. Our reputation as an institution that values diversity attracts talented students, faculty and industry partners. Building a foundation of DEI not only aligns with our mission to promote equity, but it also prepares our graduates to excel in an increasingly global and diverse business environment.”
As the College’s Director of DEI, Lee will help develop and update the College’s Diversity Strategic Plan while supporting efforts to recruit and retain diverse faculty and staff. She will also contribute to the recruitment, retention, and degree completion of a diverse student body. Lee will work with partners across campus to raise awareness of DEI initiatives within the College, foster an inclusive academic environment, and represent the College in Business School DEI collaborations.
In her new role, Lee will continue to teach accounting courses. She has many goals for her first year, including building relationships with stakeholders.
“DEI is part of our university’s strategic plan, so I will be spending time learning about existing initiatives and identifying areas that need attention,” she said. “I have already met with Becca to plan activities and programs. We aim to send a student team to the National Diversity Case Competition and host a Diversity Business Case Competition for undergraduate business students at NIU. We also plan to organize faculty workshops, start a peer support program, and recruit DEI student ambassadors.”
Becca Husar is passionate about building a powerful network of thought leaders.
In his innovation and partner development role, which begins in early 2023, Husar will design extracurricular programs for the De La Vega Innovation Lab and work with partners who want to impact the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators at NIU. With a background in the music industry and non-profit sector, Husar emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and creativity in each program he designs for the De La Vega Innovation Lab.
After earning her music degree from Millikin University, she sought out an MBA at NIU to further prepare herself as a studio owner and freelance musician, but during the program she discovered the joy she could get from supporting students and alumni in their ventures.
Husar, a graduate of NIU’s MBA program and a small business owner himself, supports students in developing their entrepreneurial ventures. Through programs and one-on-one tutoring at the De La Vega Innovation Lab, Husar ensures all students, regardless of their background or major, have access to the resources they need.
She will assume the role of DEI Staff Fellow for the 2024-2025 academic year and work to foster a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in our College of Business.
“While this is my first official DEI title, the mission and values of this DEI role directly align with my work at the De La Vega Innovation Lab,” she says. “Since arriving at NIU, I have been exposed to personal and professional development opportunities that have allowed me to think critically and intentionally about DEI best practices. These conversations have inspired me to take a more active role in DEI work.”
Husar’s goal in this first year is to build a strong network of thought leaders, partners, resources, and students who can collaborate and learn from to help universities create accessible and relevant programs.
In his new role, Husar will continue in his role as Associate Director of Innovation and Partnership Development.
“I am excited to connect the incredible campus network I’ve built for the De La Vega Innovation Lab to the university’s broader DEI initiatives,” she said. “We’ve had great support and collaboration between several of NIU’s cultural centers, the School of Social Justice Education, the ADEI department, and other colleges on campus. I look forward to strengthening these partnerships to ensure our DEI culture is one that fosters dialogue, empathy, and collaboration.”
Husar noted that the biggest challenges are time and capacity, but he is hopeful that if the universities work together they can achieve great things.
“DEI work takes time and attention, and I have some ambitious goals for the new initiative,” she said. “Huskies care. Every student, staff and alumni I’ve met has deep beliefs and cares about their peers, and it shows in the innovation that comes from our campus engagement, volunteer work and social impact.”
To learn more about the College of Business’s efforts to combat discrimination and celebrate diversity, visit go.niu.edu/COBDEI.
