Northeastern Illinois University has long made it part of its mission to support students who are older, have families, are working and are the first in their families to attend college.

Northeastern Illinois University student Joel Perdomo-Hernández, 23, will be the only person in his five-member family to graduate college come December.

Northeastern Illinois University reversed the worrying trend of yearly total enrollment declines, notching its first year-over-year enrollment bump in almost 15 years.