Heartland faculty, staff, and student honored by ICCTA

A Heartland Community College faculty member, a student, and a staff member have received statewide recognition from the Illinois Community College Trustees Association (ICCTA). 

Sonja Workman was named Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Member of the year at the ICCTA organization’s annual awards banquet on Friday, June 5, held in Lombard, Illinois. 

Since joining Heartland Community College in 2021, Workman has shaped the Recovery Support Specialist (CRSS) program as both instructor and Program Coordinator, playing a pivotal role in developing its curriculum. 

She was nominated by the college for her dedication to students, who credit her guidance with helping them overcome personal obstacles and stay on track academically. 

“Sonja’s students describe her as nonjudgmental, understanding, and as a mentor who made a major impact on their lives,” said Sarah Diel-Hunt, Heartland Community College Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. 

Workman was also recently honored with the Keith Keesy Memorial Award from the Illinois Association for Behavioral Health. 

Mia Lescano was named the recipient of the ICCTA Gandhi/King Peace Essay award. This scholarship award is chosen for a student who best articulates the peaceful messages of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Mia Lescano, from Bloomington, is a second-year pre-nursing student at Heartland Community College and will serve as the President of the Student Government Association in the 2026-2027 academic year. She has experience serving in student organizations, including Heartland’s chapter of the Association of Latin American Students (ALAS).

Nora Dukowitz was named the 2026 recipient of the Professional Board Staff Member Award, which recognizes exemplary professional service to an Illinois community college board. Recipients of the Award have demonstrated service leadership, a high level of performance in support of their board and executive team, and professional development activities at the local, state, and national level.