Northern Illinois University has been awarded a contract by the Illinois State Board of Education to coordinate the statewide Migrant Education Program. The $1.67 million contract runs from Jan 1, 2019, to Sept 30, 2021. Susana Das Neves, who is completing her doctorate in adult education with a research focus on providing educational supports to Latino families, will serve as the director of Illinois Migrant Education Services at NIU. Das Neves also brings to the position many years of experience as a college counselor, administrator and academic advisor specializing in working with bilingual and Latino students and families. The Illinois Migrant Education Program (MEP) is a federally funded program of the Illinois State Board of Education designed to provide high-quality educational services and programs to migrant children and families. In particular, the program aims to help migrant children overcome educational barriers caused by repeated moves, especially moves among different states. The Migrant Education Program works in coordination with school districts and offers comprehensive summer school programs to allow students to catch up and meet academic standards and graduation requirements in their home states.