It’s hard to say goodbye.

But Felicia Thomas, associate director of the University Programming and Activities office, is waving goodbye to NIU and heading north to the University of Michigan where she will work in the Minority Affairs Department. Today is her last day of work.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed the time I have spent at NIU and especially the time with the programming and activities staff,” Thomas said.

Thomas came to NIU in November of 1988 after working at Cornell University in New York for four-and-a-half years.

One of her many accomplishments while employed at NIU was the development of a black women’s support group for staff members. The group was formed so people could gather and talk about their everyday problems.

Barbara Henley, vice president for student affairs, is one faculty member Thomas worked with who Thomas said she benefited from.

“I owe a lot to Barbara Henley because I have learned so much from her style in which she manages people,” Thomas said.

Some suggestions that Thomas had for NIU in the future included having more black males and females assigned as department heads and also more students taking stronger leadership roles at NIU.

“Always give it your all, academically and socially, to achieve some sort of leadership role,” Thomas said.