NIU Volunteer Opportunities
Many opportunities to get involved exist at NIU, though some require specific knowledge, skills and abilities to be eligible. Opportunities for alumni participation appear below. Remember to complete your NIU Nexus Volunteer Profile to receive information about more specific opportunities geared toward your interests and to receive alerts about new volunteer opportunities.
On Campus Volunteer Opportunities >
First Impressions Count Workshop (Sept. 25, 2018)
Whether it is meeting someone at an event or a job interview or interacting with customers at work, both verbal and nonverbal communication play a key part in making a positive first impression. In this workshop, volunteers will help students practice their communication and interpersonal skills. Volunteers will receive training information before the workshop and can sign up for the first session (6-7:10 p.m.) or second session (7:30-8:40 p.m.) on Tuesday, Sept. 25.
BELIEF Week (Oct. 8-12, 2018)
The NIU College of Business is seeking alumni to share their experiences with ethics in the workplace during its annual BELIEF Week, which is Oct. 8-12. The BELIEF program is a systematic approach to integrating ethics into the college curriculum, and this week is a fantastic opportunity to expose current students to the importance of ethics in a professional setting. Speakers are needed for both day and evening classroom sessions. Please contact Neil Doughty at 815-753-5000 or ndoughty1@niu.edu to sign up or get more information.
STEMfest (Oct. 27, 2018)
STEMfest, an annual event attended by over 6,000 people, showcases unique hands-on, fun-filled learning opportunities that incorporate science, technology, engineering or math (STEM). Alumni are needed to volunteer alongside student organizations exhibiting a STEM experiment, to support activities in the art room or the haunted physics lab or to volunteer to showcase their own hands-on exhibit at the NIU Alumni Association booth. Shifts are available 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and 12 p.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 27. Register here to volunteer. Questions? Contact Sara Finnigan at sfinnigan@niu.edu or 815-753-1272.
NIU Mock Trial "Huskie Cup" (Oct. 27, 2018)
Support our very talented NIU Mock Trial team as the College of Law and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences team up to host the second annual Mock Trial competition at NIU. Last year, close to 50 alumni volunteers in the law profession adjudicated and evaluated student case presentations. Sign up here!
NIU Cares Day (April 13, 2019)
Save the date! NIU Cares Day (April 13) is a campus-wide day of service that brings NIU students, faculty, staff, friends of NIU and alumni together to thank the community for their support of the institution and its mission. Volunteers can host a project in their own community or volunteer alongside students on campus. Information about how to register will be available in late fall 2018.
Undergraduate Research and Artistry Day (April 17, 2019)
Save the date! NIU’s annual Undergraduate Artistry Day (April 17) delivers a rare opportunity for close to 200 NIU students to showcase their research, putting their presentation skills to the test in a competitive public setting. Evaluating students’ presentation skills is a wonderful opportunity to support NIU students and their research. Click here for more information about the event. Information about how to register will be available in late fall 2018.
Department of Accountancy "Helping Huskies" Mentor Program (Ongoing)
"Helping Huskies" connects accountancy alumni with students for one-on-one conversations about careers, academics, business and start-ups. Set your availability and choose the areas you’d like to mentor in. Then you'll be matched with students looking for assistance in those areas. Matches don't always occur instantaneously, but your participation in the mentoring network will greatly enhance the department's ability to provide accountancy students with strong mentors. Click here to join.
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.
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.
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.
Off Campus Volunteer Opportunities >
University Honors Externship Program (Jan. 7-11, 2019)
Alumni working within 75 miles of campus can apply to host NIU students interested in their professional field. Alumni have the autonomy to curate this week-long experience for students (Jan. 7-11, 2019) with support from the NIU Alumni Association and the University Honors Program. Click here to apply to be a site.
Remote Volunteer Opportunities >
National Football Watch Party (Nov. 1, 2018)
Pump up Huskie pride and host an NIU national football watch party at a restaurant or bar in your area for our game on Thursday, Nov. 1, against the University of Akron Zips. Volunteers simply welcome and check in volunteers, orchestrate our swag giveaway and enjoy the game! Don’t worry – the NIU Alumni Association will support you through this process. Contact Liz McKee at Lmckee1@niu.edu or 815-753-7400 for more information.
College of Business Alumni: Share your Success Story! (December 1, 2018)
We find great pleasure in following the successful careers of so many wonderful COB alumni as they continue to amass personal and professional accomplishments. If you are an alumnus of the college and interested in sharing your story with the next generation of leaders, contact Cass Young at cassyoung@niu.edu. We’d like to take this opportunity to shine the light of success on you. Our pride stems from the hope that your time at NIU served you well, preparing you for the challenges you have faced and conquered. Your story may appear in one or more of our communication materials.
University Honors Externship Program (Jan. 7-11, 2019)
Alumni working within 75 miles of campus can apply to host NIU students interested in their professional field. Alumni have the autonomy to curate this week-long experience for students (Jan. 7-11, 2019) with support from the NIU Alumni Association and the University Honors Program. Click here to apply to be a site.
University Honors Scholarship Program Application (Intermittent Jan. - Feb., 2018)
Alumni are encouraged to apply to help University Honors staff award merit-based scholarships to deserving NIU students!
The NIU University Honors program is seeking alumni who are tech savvy to help review and score student scholarship applications through our online scholarship platform. This fantastic opportunity provides a unique window into life at NIU and is an excellent way for alumni to learn more about current NIU students. Click here to apply.
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.
Department of Communication Alumni: Share your Success Story! (Ongoing)
The Department of Communication, which includes Communication Studies and Journalism, seeks to celebrate their graduates' career accomplishments by featuring their success stories online. If you are an alumnus of the program who is interested in sharing their story, contact Laura Vazquez at lvazquez@niu.edu to have your profile added to the Department of Communication webpage.