Natalie Young, a former professor at Northern Illinois University, has filed a lawsuit alleging sex and race-based discrimination and harassment by the university. The complaint was filed on January 21, 2025, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. Young accuses Northern Illinois University of creating a hostile work environment and retaliating against her for reporting discriminatory practices.
The lawsuit outlines a series of grievances Natalie Young experienced during her tenure at Northern Illinois University, where she began working as a professor in August 2013. According to the complaint, since March 2023, Young faced different employment terms compared to her non-African American and male colleagues. She claims that while Caucasian assistant professors were required to teach only two classes per semester during their first two years, she was compelled to teach three to four classes each semester, violating her contract which stipulated an 18-credit hour teaching load. Despite this increased workload, requests for additional compensation were denied.
Young further alleges that she was frequently assigned to hiring search committees due to her race and gender—an obligation not imposed on her Caucasian or male peers—and often served as a spokesperson for Black students. This burden extended when she was simultaneously appointed to two search committees—a task unprecedented in her twelve-year tenure at the university.
Racial insensitivity within the Department Personnel Committee (DPC) is also highlighted in Young's complaint. Instances included members displaying decals with historical connotations and expressing disdain towards diversity initiatives. Moreover, DPC members reportedly sought Young’s advice on interacting with students of color, which she found offensive.
In addition to workplace discrimination, Young recounts instances where she advocated for minority students facing hostile environments. In one case involving a Hispanic student who had been physically assaulted by a teacher with prior racial discrimination complaints, Young's intervention led to the student's transfer after initially being ignored by her department chair. Similarly, an African American student was required to meet with Young daily after school—a demand not placed on other faculty members.
Despite meeting performance expectations and having sufficient scholarship for tenure consideration—supported by documentation from her supervisor—Young’s contract was not renewed in May 2024. She attributes this decision to retaliation following her complaints about racial discrimination against students.
Young's lawsuit seeks redress under several counts including violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act regarding sex-based harassment and discrimination, retaliation claims under Title VII, and race-based discrimination under both Title VII and Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act. She demands back pay with interest, compensatory damages for emotional distress, injunctive relief preventing further discrimination by the university, punitive damages for willful disregard of rights, attorney fees and costs among other remedies deemed just by the court.
Representing Natalie Young are attorneys Nathan C. Volheim and Sophia K. Steere from Sulaiman Law Group Ltd., based in Lombard, Illinois. The case is identified as Case No: 3:25-cv-50030 before an undisclosed judge.