Basia Emano, or Barbara Stazel during her time at NEIU, still holds fond memories of her time attending NEIU in the early 90s. It is hard to imagine that anything from the 70s through the 90s is considered vintage as I am part of the Gen X. When we look at ourselves through our minds’ eyes, we can still hang, we are totally rad and we are still ready to party. Granted, we are done for the night at 9 p.m. but we are still young at heart. Whether you are a freshman just starting your college years or a senior ready to graduate and ready to take on the world, NEIU is the best place to start this journey. If you don’t believe so, the Independent had the opportunity to reach out to an alumna from the Class of 1992. 

During her high school years, she attended Good Counsel High School for Girls. Emano did not perform as well as she expected on her ACT and money for college was not something that her family had. Emano resigned herself to the possibility of having to enter the workforce. Thankfully, she had a high school counselor who saw great potential in her. Her high school counselor along with the admission team here at NEIU helped to change her life’s course.

While at NEIU, Emano not only took classes but she participated in a number of extra curricular activities. Emano was a member of the Wilderness Club, Polish Alliance, Club Italiano, a peer mentor, T.E.A.M. (Teachers of Experiential & Adventure Methodology) volunteer, NEIU Peace Fire Circle member and a coordinator on the NEIU media board. Emano blossomed at NEIU and was able to broaden her horizons with the amount of networking she was able to do.

Attending a university is already an important time period for students, it should also be noted that it is a great time of self discovery, a time when you should enjoy life and the experiences that a university like NEIU has to offer outside of just academics.  The old saying “Where there is a will, there’s a way” is one that is so true in this case. Her family could not finance her education, but thanks to receiving many academic scholarships along with FAFSA, not only paid her tuition but her books, and also her graduation.

Mrs. Emano received her B.A. in Leisure Studies & Recreation Management with a minor in Environmental Studies. She was the first in her family to do so. When asked of her greatest accomplishment in NEIU, one of the ones she highlighted was meeting and marrying the love of her life. They have been married for over 25 years.

After finishing at NEIU, Emano went on to work for many wonderful companies and had great experiences. Her family doubted that her degree would be of use; within her family, they did not have confidence that Emano would find a job in her field. “No” or “It’s impossible” are not things that you can say to Emano. Emano went on to work for many Fortune 500 Companies, including one at Corporate Travel. She experienced the work environment with the Chicago Cubs, Walt Disney Company, and the Illinois Film Office. In fact, you might recognize movies such as “Batman Begins”, “The Dark Knight”, “Spider-man”, and series like the “Chicago Fire”, “Chicago P.D.” and “Chicago Med” to name just a few projects that Emano worked on. Currently, Emano is working with Broadway In Chicago where life is never dull and is providing the opportunity to meet talented people on Broadway.

The Independent asked Emano how NEIU could get more involvement from alumni and other community partners; she stated that just putting the University out there in front of everyone would be great  Emano always loves to see advertisements for the school on public transportation and feels that NEIU is a hidden gem of a school that more people need to know about. Emano valued her time at NEIU, her advice to current students is to “get involved, meet people and network while at NEIU. Show yourself what you are capable of and seek out diverse opportunities that allow you to experience all that NEIU has to offer.”

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During my conversation with Mrs. Emano, I could feel that she truly has fond memories of her time at NEIU and as I do will take so much of it with me as I too walk across the stage and receive my degree in December of this year. My hope is that my fellow peers at NEIU do as Mrs. Emano suggests and takes advantage of all the opportunities here at NEIU and takes pride in the accomplishment of graduating from a university that values its students and seeks only to provide them with all that it can.