Congratulations to the Class of 2026!! 🎓

The Center for Southeast Asian Studies would like to highlight our recent graduates for all of their hard work and dedication throughout their time with us. We are proud of their accomplishments and extend our warmest congratulations as they move forward into the next chapter of their academic and professional journeys.

Outstanding Graduate Student Award Recipient

Astri Indirawati

“The Master of Public Administration program at NIU has equipped me with the skills to lead and manage public and nonprofit organizations through coursework in policy analysis, public finance, and organizational management. As a Graduate Assistant with CLAS and CSEAS, I’ve had the opportunity to apply these skills in a hands-on environment while supporting meaningful academic and programmatic work.”

“For my MPA capstone project, I worked with a team of fellow students to develop a Comprehensive Reporting Tool for the Village of Bartlett, Illinois. We evaluated the Village’s existing data infrastructure across the Police, Planning & Development Services, and Public Works departments, and recommended a phased implementation strategy to automate unified performance reporting and support more data-driven governance.”

– Astri Indirawati

SEAFellow Graduate

Solaya Sirivong

Major: Leadership and Management (Honors)
Minors: Marketing; Southeast Asian Studies

Vice President for the Management and Business Administration Student Advisory Board (MBSAB), leading the Management Department Mentoring Program (2025–2026)
Community Advisor (2023–2026)
SEAFellow Scholar; Honors Excellence Award recipient

Following graduation, I will begin my full-time professional career in the insurance industry this summer, where I aim to build experience in business operations, client relations, and strategic problem-solving, with long-term goals of growing into a leadership role.

Upcoming Events

Skokie Festival of Cultures is right around the corner!

FREE EVENT
📌 Opening ceremony: Saturday, May 16 at 1 p.m.
📌 Festival of Colors Finale: Sunday, May 17 at 6 p.m.

• Music & dance performances
• Food & beverages for sale
• Interactive cultural booths
• Children’s game & activity area (additional fee)
• Merchandise vendors

🗓 May 16 & 17, 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
📍 Oakton Park, 4701 Oakton St

CFPs: Council on Thai Studies Annual Meeting, November 6-8, 2026

The Council on Thai Studies (COTS) invites students, scholars, and practitioners to attend its 2026 Annual Meeting, which will be hosted by the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at Northern Illinois University (NIU). The meeting will be held in-person at NIU’s Holmes Student Center. COTS 2026 is free and open to the public.

More Details and the Call for Proposals @ https://www.niu.edu/cots/index.shtml

Submit your proposal online no later than August 1, 2026 (July 1, 2026 for those who need an invitation letter to obtain funding or an entry visa). Notifications of acceptance will be sent by August 15, 2026.

Exploring Southeast Asia’s cultures and unity in diversity