NIU Volunteer Opportunities
There are many ways to get involved with NIU! Take a look at the volunteer opportunities featured below. Simply click on each category to learn more.
If you'd like to receive information about new volunteer opportunities, and opportunities geared toward your specific interests, please remember to complete your NIU Nexus Volunteer Interest Form.
Contact Liz McKee, M.S.Ed '14 at Lmckee1@niu.edu or 815-753-7400 with any questions.
Online Volunteer Opportunities >
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University Honors Job Shadow Program (Spring 2021)University Honors alumni are invited to host a current University Honors student for a virtual or in-person job shadow experience in spring 2022. Find out more about the role of a host or click here to check out a sample itinerary. Register here by Oct. 15. Contact Liz McKee, M.S.Ed '14 at Lmckee1@niu.edu or 815-753-7400 with any questions.
Student Recruitment and Retention Team (START) (Ongoing)
We’ve teamed up with the Office of Undergraduate admissions to offer activities for volunteers, such as being a conversation starter during a virtual preview day, calling new and current students, or help us keep our current Huskies motivated by sending encouraging notes for us to share with students during finals. Learn more or apply here. If you have any questions, please contact Liz McKee, M.S.Ed., '14, at lmckee1@niu.edu or 815-753-7400.
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
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!
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.
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.
Off-Campus Volunteer Opportunities >
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University Honors Job Shadow Program (Spring 2021)
University Honors alumni are invited to host a current University Honors student for a virtual or in-person job shadow experience in spring 2022. Find out more about the role of a host or click here to check out a sample itinerary. Register here by Oct. 15. Contact Liz McKee, M.S.Ed '14 at Lmckee1@niu.edu or 815-753-7400 with any questions.
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Student Recruitment and Retention Team (START) (Ongoing)
We’ve teamed up with the Office of Undergraduate admissions to offer activities for volunteers, such as being a conversation starter during a virtual preview day, calling new and current students, or help us keep our current Huskies motivated by sending encouraging notes for us to share with students during finals. Learn more or apply here. If you have any questions, please contact Liz McKee, M.S.Ed., '14, at lmckee1@niu.edu or 815-753-7400.
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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 learn more, or register for our advocacy platform and become an advocate!
Living-Learning Communities (LLC) Alumni Career Network Series (Temporarily Suspended)
Share your professional expertise with students through the Living-Learning Communities (LLC) Alumni Career Network Series at NIU. Through this unique opportunity, you can choose to bring LLC students onsite to your company or visit NIU and share your real-world experiences with LLC students. Visit the Living-Learning Communities webpage to learn more about LLC and apply for the LLC Alumni Career Network Series here!
On-Campus Volunteer Opportunities >
STEMfest (Oct. 23, 2021)
Help families explore science, technology, engineering and math activities at STEM Fest on Oct. 23. Register here by Oct. 8. Questions? Contact Lise Schlosser '97 at lschlosser@niu.edu or 815-753-8554.
Black Student Achievement Program (2021 - 2022)
Black alumni who have graduated since the ’90s are encouraged to apply to mentor students in the Black Student Achievement Program this fall. Register here by Sept. 27. Questions? Contact Christopher Mitchell '08 at cmitchell11@niu.edu or 815-753-7357.
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Student Recruitment and Retention Team (START) (Ongoing)
We’ve teamed up with the Office of Undergraduate admissions to offer activities for volunteers, such as being a conversation starter during a virtual preview day, calling new and current students, or help us keep our current Huskies motivated by sending encouraging notes for us to share with students during finals. Learn more or apply here. If you have any questions, please contact Liz McKee, M.S.Ed., '14, at lmckee1@niu.edu or 815-753-7400.
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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 learn more, or register for our advocacy platform and become an advocate!
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.
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.
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.
NIU College of Business Alumni Meet-and-Greet Tables (Temporarily Suspended)
Expose NIU COB students to a wider range of opportunities in business by hosting an informal meet-and-greet table. Provide students with the opportunity to practice their networking skills while learning about career paths in your industry/firm in a casual environment. Secondary benefits of participation are meeting students who are perfect fits for current openings and keeping your organization top of mind when students are on the hunt for internships and full-time employment. Alumni Meet-and-Greet Tables can be scheduled Monday through Thursday during peak traffic times, generally 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Alumni will interact with all business undergraduate, Master of Accounting Science, Master of Management Information Systems, and full-time MBA students. Contact Liz McKee at Lmckee1@niu.edu or 815-753-7400 to begin the application process.
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Living-Learning Communities (LLC) Alumni Career Network Series (Temporarily Suspended)
Share your professional expertise with students through the Living-Learning Communities (LLC) Alumni Career Network Series at NIU. Through this unique opportunity, you can choose to bring LLC students onsite to your company or visit NIU and share your real-world experiences with LLC students. Visit the Living-Learning Communities webpage to learn more about LLC and apply for the LLC Alumni Career Network Series here!