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Heartland Community College

Auston Koch recognized as outstanding Illinois Student Trustee

June 7, 2025

A Heartland Community College student is the recipient of the Student Trustee Excellence Scholarship presented by the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA). 

Auston Koch, former Student Trustee at Heartland Community College, was awarded the 2025 Gigi Campbell Student Trustee Excellence Scholarship, recognizing the Illinois community college system's outstanding student board members. 

Koch served as Student Trustee from 2024-2025. During his tenure at Heartland, Koch was actively involved on campus, serving as a Student Ambassador, the Student Welfare Committee, the Textbook Affordability Task Force, the Strategic Planning Committee, and the College Violence Prevention Committee. 

During his tenure as Student Trustee, Koch attended the Association of Community College Trustees National Leadership Summit in Washington, DC, where he lobbied on Capitol Hill on issues related to higher education. 

Outside the college, he served as a member of the Inclusion Council for Special Olympics Illinois and as a mentor in the Special Olympics Youth Leadership experience. Koch was a member of the Heartland Hawks Men’s Soccer team, playing the position of goaltender until his on-field activity was cut short by injury. 

A May 2025 graduate, Koch will pursue a bachelor’s degree in Political Science in the fall. 

“Auston has been an outstanding student trustee, due in part to his belief that the voice of students is an essential component to the governance of the college,” said Heartland Community College President Keith Cornille. “He has worked diligently to engage students in the issues that come before the Board and has represented the College well with our elected officials and the public.” 

Koch was recognized at the Annual ICCTA Award Banquet held at the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center in Normal, on June 6, where he was presented with a $500.00 scholarship award.

Written by: Steve Fast