About SEA

We are a local chapter, like other schools in Illinois and across the country, of the IEA & NEA. The IEA (Illinois Education Association) Student Program is a pre-professional organization of undergraduate and graduate students preparing for careers in education or an education-related field. As a member of the IEA Student Program, students are also a part of the larger Illinois Education Association, an educational professional organization representing over 130,000 members in the state, across 40 campuses in Illinois. IEA Student Program members are also part of the National Education Association (NEA), a network of state associations that has over two million members and is a major force in shaping the nation’s education agenda.  Students throughout the state on university and college campuses are able to take advantage of the many opportunities afforded them through the IEA Student Program, as well as engage in service to the community and professional development.  

Members

Members of the IEA Student Program include students going into careers in the field of education and working in schools: teachers (infants to 12th grade), social workers, school counselors, occupational therapists, etc. It is open to both undergraduate and graduate students, as well as students in various fields. Students must enroll and pay membership dues annually. 

Benefits for Members

Student scholarships, professional publications, awards, IEA app, professional development workshops/ conferences, grants, leadership opportunities, retired teacher mentor program, mini-resumes, liability insurance, IEA rebate, community service activities, socials

Committee 

Our SEA group is led by student leaders who are guided by faculty advisors; the student officers develop leadership skills by running the weekly meetings, developing newsletters, managing social media, finding service activities, creating events, and recruiting members. The IEA provides three leadership conferences each year for student leaders of local chapters in Illinois (paid for by IEA). 

Click here to check out a video overview of what we do on campus.