NIU Nexus serves as the connecting point (e.g. nexus) between alumni interested in volunteering with their alma mater and current volunteer opportunities that exist at NIU. Alumni volunteers provide real value to NIU through a variety of volunteer roles and opportunities, ranging from prospective student recruitment to providing real-world job experience. Please review the volunteer categories below to find the best fit for your volunteering interests.

Alumni simply create an NIU Nexus profile with the NIU Alumni Association to help us understand your volunteer interests and professional expertise. Upon completion, NIU Alumni Association staff will review your profile and then connect you with opportunities suited to your interests. You may also click here to find the latest volunteer opportunities with NIU. If you currently volunteer with NIU through another opportunity please e-mail alums@niu.edu and let us know.

Don't worry, we have a variety of volunteer opportunities that are appropriate for alumni at all stages and places in their lives! You can volunteer on campus, off campus, and online.

Faculty, staff and students who utilize alumni volunteers are eligible for an NIU Nexus alumni volunteer appreciation pack. In order to apply, please complete this form.

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  NIU Huskies United Ambassador (March 22-23, 2023)

  Inspire others to support NIU's important programs by sharing your NIU story with your networks as an ambassador! Volunteers in this role are digital leaders for NIU, sharing messages and creating excitement about the Huskies United leading up to and during the day. All ambassadors will be provided with a training to review the role and resources available to them. Sign up here to be an ambassador for Huskie United!

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  NIU Paws for a Cause (April 2023) 

  Celebrate National Volunteer Month by doing service in your community during our 'Paws' for a Cause volunteer initiative. Simply identify an organization to work with, complete the service activity, and let us know what you did! We encourage creativity and are excited for volunteers to find a project that fits their passion. Wether it's making cards from the comfort of your own home, or joining a local non-profit for an activity, let's bring the Huskie Pack together to show our communities the generosity of the Huskie spirit! Register your activity here.

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  Huskie Notecard Project (Spring 2023)

  Completing final projects. Pulling all-nighters. Worrying over exams. You may remember the stresses of University life like they were yesterday. Now you have the opportunity to bring some positivity to current Huskies during finals week by participating in the Huskie Notecard Project! Type or write a few words of encouragement that will be included in a care package for students studying for finals in Spring 2023. Find out more or register to participate here!

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  Share your NIU Huskie story! (Ongoing)

  Alumni stories are inspirational. They inspire current and prospective students who can see living proof that an NIU education will help them to be successful. Alumni stories also highlight the many things of which we can be proud and bolster the community. Help NIU tell its story by sharing yours. Take 5-10 minutes to record how NIU impacted your life by completing the Huskie Spotlight Profile Survey. Then, use your social media to share a favorite memory of time spent at NIU events, such as Homecoming or Welcome Days. To make sure we see your stories and experiences on social, simply tag NIU and the NIU Alumni Association, or use the hashtag #HuskiePride.
   

  NIU Social Media Accounts: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn

  NIU Alumni Association Social Media Accounts: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn

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  Become a volunteer advocate for NIU! (Ongoing)

  Add your voice to the conversation and share NIU's legislative priorities with legislators in your district. Click here to register for our advocacy platform and to become an advocate!

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  NIUniverse: A Social Media Ambassador Program (Ongoing)

  Join the NIUniverse to share your Huskie pride through your social networks! NIU social media ambassadors have first-look access to exciting content, can share and recommend stories on behalf of the NIU Alumni Association and can win Huskie swag by participating in contests and challenges. All you have to do is join, take a few moments each week to share our stories with your networks and participate in our contests! The more you participate, the better your chances at winning awesome NIU swag. Sign up here.

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  Refer a Huskie (Ongoing)

  Remember, you can always use the NIU Alumni Association's online form to refer a student that would make a great Huskie. Students referred this way receive a promotional code, which covers the application cost.

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  College of Business High School Ethics Bowl Case Competition (April 21, 2023)

  On Friday, Apr. 21, NIU will host the College of Business High School Ethics Bowl Case Competition at Barsema Hall. This in-person event draws high school teams from around the region to compete to present the best analysis of an ethics-related case study. It is also an excellent opportunity for NIU to showcase the University as students are making decisions about which college or university they will attend in the future. Learn more about the competition, then register here to evaluate teams’ case study presentations. No prior experience is required to volunteer. Most volunteer judges will be needed from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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  NIU Esports: Volunteer Coaches and Content Experts Needed (Ongoing)

  Get involved in esports at NIU!  Our fast-growing esports club program needs knowledgeable volunteers to support coaching students, presenting in esports classes and organizing esports tournaments. There are so many opportunities for students, alumni and community members to have fun, play video games and help build our exciting esports program. If you’re interested in volunteering, please contact Jeannine East or Aline Click at esports@niu.edu.

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  Communiversity Gardens (Ongoing)

  The NIU Communiversity Gardens are part of a community-wide approach to end food insecurity in DeKalb County by providing access to fresh organic vegetables that are locally grown for anyone in need. Volunteers have the opportunity to plant, weed and harvest for this cause while improving their gardening skills. Volunteers are typically needed for shifts a few days per week. Click here and sign up to volunteer for hours that fit your schedule.

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  Huskie Food Pantry (Ongoing)

  The Huskie Food Pantry is an amazing NIU program that serves students who lack access to adequate food sources. The pantry is a nonprofit organization that relies on the support of generous donors, volunteers, interns and University partners to maintain the program. During the summer months, the pantry is in great need of volunteers to fill the roles left vacant by dedicated student volunteers who have gone home for the summer. Alumni volunteers can help by donating food, stocking shelves or serving on a pantry night. Click here and sign up to volunteer.