February 2024
Bowls that are super and hearts that are conversational fill the shortest month of the year...that's a little longer this time around.
Highlights
The Numbers Are In
Mother Nature provided a little delay to our spring semester, but we started off strong nonetheless. Continuing our recent upward trend, our enrollment numbers are looking good this spring.
- Total headcount is up 3.2% and credit hours are up 3.1%, marking three consecutive years of spring term increases.
- New student enrollment is up close to 7% over last spring and minority student enrollment is up more than 6% from the same period last year.
- We were successful in re-enrolling our continuing students, too – more than 71% re-enrolled for spring semester, which is the second-highest percentage increase in the last 5 years.
- Especially exciting is success with new student enrollment for ages 25+. This group saw a more than 25% increase from last spring.
So while the numbers on the thermometer may have started the semester pretty low, we can at least bask in the warm glow of our enrollment numbers.
No Foolin'- There's Money Available
We’re giving money away and it’s time for our students to apply for a share of it. The Foundation scholarship application is now open and the priority deadline to apply is April 1. (No it’s not an April Fool’s prank.) Encourage your students to not let this (scholar)ship sail.
Campus Welcomes New Building
You may have noticed a shiny new building on the far west side of the Normal campus. At least we hope you did. That building, the Agriculture Complex, officially opened for classes last month and is expected to be home to some 200 students in the coming semesters. The official ribbon cutting took place on January 31. If such ribbon snipping events are your jam, we have good news! The comically large scissors will come out again on the 27th of this month for the ribbon cutting at the Advanced Manufacturing Center.
Focusing on FOCUS Classrooms
Classrooms come in many shapes, sizes, and varieties at Heartland. One of the more exciting versions is the FOCUS (Fostering Opportunity, Collaboration, Understanding, and Scholarship) classroom, which can be found in ICB 2301 and ICN 1003. These flexible, interactive classrooms help foster active and experiential learning, and according to a study by Legat Architects, lead to improved teaching and learning. In fact, 43.5% of students surveyed said they are more mentally engaged when taking a class in a FOCUS classroom, and 66.7% of faculty indicated that students in FOCUS rooms participate more in class.
He's the Champion...Again!
Twice is nice for reigning NBA 2K national champion, Jono Edmonson. The Communications major and HCC esports team member was named the NJCAAE national champion in spring 2023 before earning the title again this fall. “I think this year I was more confident than last, so I went in kind of knowing I could win. (I) just had to do it,” said Edmonson. Prior to coming to Heartland, Edmonson won a state championship for Normal West. Congrats to Jono on his repeat performance!
Edible Advances
Still to come...
True Blue Ribbon & Blues Bake-Off
February 14, 1:30-2:30 pm in CCB 1406-1407
FunnyRaiser
Feburary 23, 7:00-9:30 pm in the ACEC
Advanced Manufacturing Center Ribbon Cutting
Feburary 27, 10:00-11:00 am, Advanced Manufacturing Center
Apparel Pop-Up Shop
Feburary 26-March 8
Stay tuned for details.
Random Knowledge to Make You Just a Little Smarter
Thankfully we start really seeing increases in the amount of daylight this month. For Illinois residents, daylight increases approximately by 3 minutes per day during February! By February 21st, we’ll have almost 2 more hours of daylight than we did the week leading up to Christmas.
Let's Get Social
That's all for now. In the meantime, check out our Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for the latest happenings. Spread the love and share our stuff on your own pages.