Alumnus Sparks Brittany Humphrey's NIU Journey and Volunteer Spirit
By Lia Kizilbash Gillet

Brittany Humphrey, '10 (Photo: Brittany Humphrey)

The first person to tell Brittany Humphrey, ’10, that she belonged at NIU didn’t actually work in admissions. He was her high school teacher — a proud NIU alumnus — who saw how he could simultaneously support his students and his alma mater. 

“He went out of his way to show us what life at a college campus was really like, including setting up a special tour for a group of his students to spend the day with a current NIU student,” Humphrey said. “That tour gave me a genuine sense of the community and support NIU offers, which made my decision to attend NIU easy.”

Humphrey’s experience is a reminder of the ripple effect that alumni can create — one act of generosity can change the trajectory of a student’s life and, years later, inspire that student to do the same for others.

Today, as an alumni volunteer, Humphrey offers her support to current NIU students. She started small — writing postcards to prospective students and sending encouraging notes during finals week — but quickly expanded her involvement to packing and distributing care packages on campus. This semester marks her second round of volunteering, and each experience deepens her connection to the Huskie community.

Humphrey admits that her shyness made volunteering feel intimidating at first, but everything changed once she opened the door. 

“Helping with care packages really opened things up for me,” she said. “I met other alumni, talked with current students, and suddenly felt like I was part of the community again. That experience made me want to keep going — one postcard, one care package, and one conversation at a time.

“Building community is at the heart of why I volunteer,” Humphrey continued. “The alumni network is so important to helping students feel connected. And as an alumna, I’ve felt closer to his community through volunteering with fellow alumni.”

Humphrey remembers how intimidating the “real world” felt as graduation approached, and she hopes she can ease that anxiety for others.

“I tell other alumni all the time that their involvement matters,” she said. “Even if you think you don’t have time, there are opportunities that fit your schedule. And students need us, especially alumni who are out in their careers.” 

As a purchasing operations specialist at CDW, Humphrey said she is the “poster child” for unexpected career paths and wants to help students see that their degrees can unlock skills that create opportunities in any field.

“I earned a B.F.A. in photography, and I work in purchasing operations for an IT solutions company, but I love every minute of it,” she said. “Don’t be afraid to fail — sometimes the best solutions come from stepping back, learning from a misstep, and finding a new way forward. Every challenge is a chance to grow stronger and wiser in your career.

“Even if your degree isn’t directly tied to your field, the skills and experiences you gained will always help you,” Humphrey continued. “For example, my art degree taught me to think creatively and approach problems from new angles, which has helped me find solutions for my team that others might not see. I still feel like my undergrad degree helps me every day.”

Her NIU experiences also helped her appreciate the values of collaboration and community. Humphrey fondly recalls a late night in the basement of Neptune North, finishing a drawing final with friends until exhaustion turned into laughter. 

“We were so tired we were getting loopy,” she said. “But that night taught me the power of support: classmates offering constructive criticism, sharing skills I hadn’t mastered yet. That drawing ended up being one of my best.”

That sense of support showed up in even more profound ways. Humphrey was on campus during the tragic shooting on February 14, 2008. For her, it was a moment that revealed the strength of the NIU community.

“During those difficult moments on campus, students and staff came together, and I watched volunteers step up for students,” she said. “That example of care and community made a lasting impression and set the standard I try to follow. It drove home what being a Huskie means every minute of every day.”

In fact, Humphrey moved back to DeKalb in 2024 because she loved the community so much.

“Now I’m able to contribute as both an alumna and a neighbor, showing students they have support from alumni and the wider community,” she said.

She’s already attended local alumni events, such as a Huskies Night Out, hosted in NIU’s Book Lab in the Founders Memorial Library. 

“I really enjoyed learning about new programs and resources available to students, like the Book Lab,” she said. “And honestly, I just have so much fun volunteering. I hope my efforts help ease stress and brighten someone’s day — and I look forward to doing even more in the future.”

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.