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 submit an NIU Nexus interest form to 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. If you currently volunteer with NIU through another opportunity please e-mail alums@niu.edu and let us know.

Volunteers engage both current, future, and former Huskies through a myriad of activities and volunteer roles.  Click here to view the FY25 Volunteer Impact Report and learn more about volunteerism and all the ways the pack has supported the University's mission.

We have a variety of remote and off-campus volunteer opportunities that happen all year round! If we're not currently offering something near you, you can always bring your local Huskies together by leading a DIY Alumni Engagement Activity. These DIY volunteer activities stand alone or support established volunteer opportunities, like the Huskie Finals Notecard Project, with support from the NIU Alumni Association. Take a look at what kind of activities you can host and reach out to their staff contacts with any questions!

* Request an "NIU Nexus Alumni Volunteer Appreciation Pack".

* Nominate alumni volunteers for the "NIU Northern Lights Award", an award in honor of Liz McSpadden '10, M.B.A. '16.  

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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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  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

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  Preview the Braven Leadership Coach Experience (Nov. 17)

  Interested in learning more about the NIU/Braven partnership? Want to help a cohort of NIU students build their networking, problem-solving and career-readiness skills through course-integrated volunteer opportunities? Virtually join us from 5:45-7 p.m. (CT) on Nov. 17 to learn more about leadership coaches, see their impact as students present their capstone projects and meet program staff. Learn more and register by Nov. 12  

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  University Honors Job Shadow (Feb. 1-Apr. 20, 2027)

  Host an NIU Honors student for a virtual or in-person job shadow experience! Help students gain real-world experience and a peek into life after graduation as you highlight your career and organization. Learn more and apply to become a host before Oct. 29.  

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  Industry Insight Series (2026-27)

  Help students interested in interactive media & technology fields learn about industry culture, skills, and experiences by telling your academic, professional, and personal alumni story as part of a professional development series hosted by the NIU eSport Network. Learn more and apply to become a guest speaker today! 

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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. When you refer a student, you receive a free NIU swag pack for your efforts!

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  Alumni Week at the Huskie Food Pantry (Aug. 25, 26, 27)

  Alumni play a special role in supporting the Huskie Food Pantry, stepping up to help prep and keep operations running when staff and students come back to campus. Provide students access to our free supplemental source of nutritious food, cleaning products, and hygiene items and register here before Aug. 19.

    

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    Career Success Clinic: Professional Document Review (Sept. 10)

    Help students polish their professional documents in preparation for the upcoming career fair. Join a mix of alumni and employers in providing feedback on resumes, LinkedIn covers, and cover letters as part of the clinics professional resource fair. Learn more register here before Sept. 3. 

  • NIU Preview Days!  (Oct. 12 & Nov. 11)

    Represent the NIU Alumni Association during one of NIU’s open houses and join us in speaking to prospective students and guests while they preview campus and learn more about what it means to be a Huskie. Humanize the NIU experience with a staff partner and set an example of post-graduate success! Learn more and register here.

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    University Honors Job Shadow (Feb. 1-Apr. 20, 2027)

    Host an NIU Honors student for a virtual or in-person job shadow experience! Help students gain real-world experience and a peek into life after graduation as you highlight your career and organization. Learn more and apply to become a host before Oct. 29.  

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    Industry Insight Series (2026-27)

    Help students interested in interactive media & technology fields learn about industry culture, skills, and experiences by telling your academic, professional, and personal alumni story as part of a professional development series hosted by the NIU eSport Network. Learn more and apply to become a guest speaker today! 

  • Huskie Harvest  (Summer)

    We’re proud to continue our partnership with Huskie Harvest, an innovative program focused on minimizing food waste and increasing food security on campus. Help pack and/or distribute meals to students across campus this summer at one of their various two-hour service shifts. See the full list of available shifts and register today! We’re especially thankful for anyone who can help staff Saturday shifts. 

  • Host a Food or Item Drive for the Huskie Food Pantry  (Ongoing)

    Make a lasting impact in the NIU community by organizing a food or item drive, or you can simply contribute a one-time food donation. Your support helps ensure the Huskie Food Pantry remains stocked with essential resources. Fill out this form to get started.

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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.