Student Engagement
Mission
The Student Engagement Office at Heartland Community College is designed to enhance students’ college experience through an array of co-curricular programs and services.
Get Involved Platform
Have you heard about Heartland's online engagement platform? Head over to GetInvolved.Heartland.edu, your gateway to getting involved on campus. Discover a variety of student groups, stay in the loop about exciting events, and connect with fellow students from all around campus.
Get Started
Getting involved on campus is a great way to find friends and make the most of your Heartland experience. No matter what you’re interested in, there are other students who enjoy the very same thing. Heartland offers 20 plus clubs and organizations on campus! Check out some of the options on our Get Involved page (getinvolved.heartland.edu/organizations). And if you don’t see what you’re looking for, creating a new club is easy and rewarding. The Student Engagement staff is happy to help.
Stop by the Student Engagement office in the WDC 1200 suite to talk with staff and student leaders about how to get involved.
Student Life Events
There is always something exciting happening on Heartland's campus. Whether it's a student club social event, an HCC department workshop, or a leadership program, you'll find the latest updates on Heartland's 'Get Involved Events' page. Check out our events page below.
Meet the Team
Sarah Tipton (she/her)
About Me: Hello! I'm Sarah, the Director of Student Engagement and the Student Government Association advisor which basically means I love getting students involved in every aspect of college life. My journey in higher education began at Illinois Valley Community College, where my passion for student engagement took root. I hold a Bachelor's in Anthropology and Non-Profit studies from Northen Illinois University, but I was eager to continue in higher education, so I pursued my Master's in College Student Personnel Administration and earned a Certificate in Women, Gender, & and Sexuality studies from Illinois State University. I have a strong interest in student leadership and how that can lend itself to fostering a diverse and inclusive campus community through representation, advocacy, and education.
Get Involved Advice: Engaging in student groups and even considering a role in student government can be a transformative experience. This involvement can be a personal journey of growth and self-discovery, and it also opens doors to connections that can play a crucial role in your future. Not sure where to start? Visit us in Student Engagement!
Email: sarah.tipton@heartland.edu
Destiny Williams (she/her)
About Me: Hi everyone! I'm Destiny, the Associate Director of Student Engagement and the Heartland Activities Committee (HAC) advisor. My passion for higher education started at the beginning of my college career: College of Lake County (a community college!) After, I transferred to Illinois State University (ISU), receiving my Bachelor's in Psychology and Minor in Sociology. While studying at ISU, I got involved as much as I could: becoming a teaching assistant, helping out in research studies, and joining the psychology club! That only sparked my interest even more, and from there I pursued my Master's in College Student Personnel Administration at ISU. If you need someone to chat about anything pop culture, reality tv, or cats, I'm your girl!
Get Involved Advice: Heartland is not just an excellent place to pursue your educational goals; it's also a wonderful community where you can get involved! We offer a variety of student services, clubs, and organizations for everyone. We invite all students to participate in our programs and enjoy the experience. We understand that finding a sense of belonging can be challenging, and that’s exactly why we’re here! Engaging with campus life will help you connect with others, meet new friends, and enhance your leadership skills—an asset for your resume and professional goals!
Gwen Lee (she/they)
About Me: Hi! I’m Gwen, and I run Heartland’s student and exchange visa programs, and work supporting international students at HCC. I grew up in the UK, and have a BA in Interdisciplinary Human Studies from the University of Bradford, England, and an MA in Sociology from Arizona State University. I love working with students from all over the world, and helping HCC’s campus community learn how different perspectives and world-views can make us all smarter!
Getting Involved Advice: Heartland has a whole bunch of campus clubs and organizations, and getting involved in groups, events, and activities at the college is a great way to find people with shared interests, explore new interests, and gain knowledge and experience outside the classroom that can help you in your classes and career!
Email: gwen.lee@heartland.edu
Lauren Hostetter (she/her)
About Me: Hey there! I'm Lauren, the Coordinator of Student Engagement and co-advisor for Student Leaders in Community Engagement (SLiCE). I grew up in a tiny town right outside of Bloomington/Normal, so BloNo was my "big city" for most of my life! I obtained my Bachelor's in Business Administration with concentrations in Philanthropy and Not-for-Profit, where my passions for event planning, creative expression, service work, and higher education really began to flourish. As a lifelong learner, I hope to soon earn my Master's to continue my journey in public administration. I always strive to work alongside students to foster their strengths and passions and to promote a safe, inclusive, and diverse community for all of our students to express themselves freely and confidently. Stop by my office to chat about coffee, 90's romcoms, funny TikToks, volunteer opportunities, or just to say hi!
Get Involved Advice: If you find yourself wanting to get involved at Heartland but don't know how, feel free to stop by the Student Engagement office or check out the Get Involved site! We always want to promote what Heartland has to offer! We have such a diverse amount of student clubs and organizations that allow members to share interests, work toward a common goal, or just hang out and have fun!
Em Nakamura (she/her)
About Me: Hello! I'm Em, the Advising and Leadership Graduate Assistant in the student engagement office. I advise the Global Student Union here on campus and help facilitate the Emerging Leaders program. I was born and raised in Bloomington-Normal, and after moving a couple hours south for my undergraduate studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, I'm excited to finally be back and give back to my community in this position! I'm currently a graduate student studying College Student Personnel Administration at Illinois State University. As my advising of Global Student Union may indicate, I'm a big believer in multiculturalism and diversity being a key part of what makes any campus's student life thrive.
Get Involved Advice: Don't let fear of social rejection stop you from getting involved. Student organizations here are really welcoming, and chances are these groups' members would be more than happy to help you join their organization.
Email: emily.nakamura@heartland.edu
Kat Johns (she/her)
About Me: Hi friends! I'm Kat and I am a graduate assistant for the Office of Student Engagement, responsible for marketing and co-advising SLiCE. I am a second-year graduate student in the College Student Personnel Administration program and first-year in Sociology-ACED with a passion for Community Development. I was a nontraditional Heartland student during the pandemic and finished out my bachelor's at Illinois State University with a degree in Sociology. I have a love of leadership and service, and my goal is to work with Heartland students on what they want to see on their campus in those areas.
Get Involved Advice: Ask Questions! Never be afraid to email someone if there's an event that you're interested in, or you think you want to get involved but don't know how. We love to hear from you and would be happy to sit down and talk (or email) over what you want to get out of your experience!
Email: kat.johns@heartland.edu
Athletics
We have nationally recognized men's baseball and women's softball teams, and our men's and women's soccer teams are gaining momentum. Join us for a game at the Corn Crib.