DeKALB – Lisa Freeman, who has been president of NIU since 2018, has recently been elected to the Chicago Zoological Society’s Board of Trustees.

Prior to Freeman’s time at NIU, she worked in multiple leadership and faculty roles, including associate dean for research and graduate programs for Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

Freeman received her bachelor’s degree, master’s degree as well as her doctorate from Cornell University in veterinary medicine.

Her research has been funded by agencies like the American Heart Association, the National Institute of Health, and the National Science Foundation.

In addition to her education and academic career, Freeman has received many honors within her field, these honors include being named “outstanding veterinarian of the year” by the Association for Women Veterinarians, acknowledged by local businesses as a Castle Bank Community Leader and was invited to join the influential leaders of The Chicago Network.