August 2025
Falling Into Fresh Campus News
Highlights
Welcome A-Board
A big Heartland welcome to Senesta "Angell" Howard, who joined the HCC Board of Trustees last month. Our newest Board member isn’t coming to Heartland as much as she’s coming back to Heartland because she’s an alum. Howard earned her Associate of Science degree at HCC before earning a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and then a Master of Social Work, both from Illinois State University. She’s the Associate Director of Development and Staff Recognition in Student Affairs at ISU. Howard replaced Cecelia Long, who stepped down in June.
Medal Moments
A group of folks have some new bling. In May, Heartland honored eight individuals with the President’s Medallion. The Medallion is the highest honor Heartland Community College can bestow upon an individual. This award exemplifies the College's mission to "enrich our community" by honoring those who share this ethos. This year’s recipients include Jon Astroth, Ruifang Cao, Dolan Dalpoas, Deanna Frautschi, Alan Bedell, Colleen Kannaday, Mike Matejka, and Drake Zimmerman. Congratulations!
Sun-sational News
Combined with the humidity and corn sweats, the sunshine has been a little obnoxious lately. But we’ll forgive the sun because it’s soon going to help us power our Normal campus. In July the Board of Trustees approved construction of a solar array on the northwest portion of the main campus. Once operational, the addition is expected to generate 22% of the campus energy usage. Combined with our wind turbine, it’s expected that approximately 86% of our energy will be self-generated. The $3.4 million project is expected to recoup all costs through a combination of incentives as well as energy savings. Construction is set to begin this fall.
Hawks Go Nocturnal
We have good news for our students who are parents. The Night Hawks program is back again this year. For the last several years, Heartland has offered this valuable program which provides more support for our parenting students who are Pell Grant eligible and/or low income. As part of this program, Heartland students can take advantage of services in the Child Development Lab Monday through Thursday evenings from 5:30-9:00 pm. Our littlest Hawks will benefit from engaging activities while their adults can have some much-needed study time. Win-win! Night Hawks works off a sliding scale for payment based on family household income that caps at $20 per child/per day.
Get Your Game On
One night a year people from all over the BloNo area flock to Heartland’s Normal campus for food, fun, and live music. And maybe bragging rights. That time is almost upon us. Heartland Night Out(side) will return to the Dobski Family Plaza on September 4. This year’s theme is Game Edition so come ready with your competitive nature and trash talk. Enjoy some great food and music from members of local band Toocan, all while supporting Heartland students.
New Name...Same Great Program
WEI has a new name. Previously known as the Workforce Equity Initiative, this program has led to empowerment of its graduates by making their dreams of higher education possible. To be more reflective of the goals of the program, the state has made a name change. WEI will now be named Workforce Empowerment Initiative. The WEI program helps students looking to get certification in high-demand jobs in sectors like manufacturing, health care, and logistics.
They Have Skills
A group of Hawks ventured to the land of peaches and Coca Cola to represent Heartland at the National Skills USA competition in Atlanta. Taking the town by storm were Rivian Apprentices Nick Mock and Matt Marciniak. They won Heartland’s first ever national medal by taking the 2nd place prize in Mechatronics. Way to go, gentlemen!
Still to come...
Week of Welcome
Involvement Fair:
- Tuesday, August 26 and Wednesday, August 27
- 11:00 am -1:00 pm
- Quad
ImpactLife Blood Drive:
- Thursday, August 28
- 10:30 am - 1:30 pm
- WDC 1000
Random Knowledge to Make You Just a Little Smarter
The smell of fresh cut grass comes from the chemicals plants release when in distress. Well, I think I found my excuse to avoid mowing my lawn.
Let's Get Social
That's all for now. In the meantime, check out our Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn for the latest happenings. Spread the love and share our stuff on your own pages.