Heartland Community College Seeks Community Volunteers
Normal—Heartland Community College’s office of Alumni Relations and Community Outreach seeks community members interested in donating their skills as part of a variety of volunteer opportunities at the college’s Normal campus.
Anyone can become a Heartland volunteer. Staff members at the college can assist community members, Heartland alumni, current college or high school students, new retirees or active seniors find a volunteer role best suited to their personalities or areas of expertise. Those with physical restrictions or disabilities also are encouraged to volunteer.
Several volunteer options are available at Heartland, including helping out at one-time events to assisting with more long-term opportunities. They are:
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Aides for “Hands on Math” and “Hands on Science” Events
“Hands on Math” and “Hands on Science” events were developed to make math and science approachable and fun for 4th and 5th graders. Volunteers can assist for one day in January and/or one day in March from 11 am to 2:15 pm
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American Homes Volunteers
American Homes volunteers are paired with an international student with whom they have monthly contact during the student’s first year of stay. Volunteers will participate in monthly outings with international students over a twelve month period.
- Conversation Partners
Conversation Partners learn about different cultures, brush up on foreign language skills, and help international students improve their English skills during weekly 30-minute meetings throughout the semester (16 weeks total).
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Greeters at Special Events
Greeters at Heartland events will welcome visitors to the college at information nights, open houses and workshops. Events vary, and college representatives are available to discuss upcoming opportunities for volunteer greeters.
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Instructors for Self-Help Workshops
Volunteers are needed once a semester for an hour to lead a self-help workshop on topics including health, fitness and money management for Project RISE—a college program devoted to assisting all eligible Heartland Community College students improve their GPA, graduate and transfer to a four-year college.
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Life Skills Trainers
Life Skills Trainers are needed in the college’s Business Essentials Program—a college-level certificate program that prepares students to meet the challenges of office environments. Volunteers will demonstrate office technologies, business communication, life and workplace skills and work ethics by hosting a two-hour class each semester—once in the spring and once in the fall.
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Note Takers for Disability Support Services
These volunteers will commit two to three hours per week to take notes for students with documented disabilities.
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Information Desk Receptionists/Greeters
Receptionists/Greeters in the Community Commons Building are often the initial point of contact for those visiting campus for the first time. From 3 to 7 pm on weekdays, volunteers will direct people to their campus destinations or to a college representative who can answer more specific questions about the college and its services.
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Speakers Bureau Participants
Members of the Heartland Community College Speaker’s Bureau will share personal expertise in a particular subject, field or area of interest for a college classroom, potentially once or twice during a typical semester.
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Students Involved with Technology (SIT) Conference Volunteers
This busy event can always use volunteers to assist with event preparations or help during the day of the event. The next SIT Conference will be held on Saturday, Feb. 14.
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Study Group Leaders for Math and English for Project RISE
Volunteer to assist students with their understanding of math and English for one hour per week during a semester (16 weeks total) for Project RISE—a college program devoted to assisting all eligible Heartland Community College students improve their GPA, graduate and transfer to a four-year college.
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Test Proctors for Disability Support Services
Test proctors for Disability Support Services are responsible for administering tests to students with unique needs on an as-needed basis.
There are several benefits to volunteering at Heartland. Volunteers can meet new people and cultivate lifelong friendships, develop new skills, stay active, pass along wisdom, showcase good citizenship, motivate others, get energized and have fun—besides looking good on a résumé.
For more information about volunteer opportunities at Heartland Community College, call Tiffany Keller at (309) 268-8187, or email
tiffany.keller@heartland.edu.