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.

• University Honors Scholarship Review Program (Feb. 1-28, 2025)

  Support the NIU University Honors Program in awarding merit-based scholarships to exceptional incoming NIU students!  As a scholarship reviewer you will review applicant response and other metrics within the one-month review period in February. Learn more and/or apply by Jan. 13.

• Professional Email Conversations with Alumni (March 23 - 28, 2025 )

  Help students practice their professional emailing skills while enabling them to network with professionals, like you, who can give them useful advice as they complete their degrees and move into their chosen careers. Volunteers commit to corresponding with students via e-mail during the week of March 23 and will spend 15-30 minutes each night participating. Learn more and register here.

• Recruit a Huskie Postcard Campaign (Oct. - March 2025)

  Write postcards to 2025 prospective students and showcase how NIU helped support you in getting where you are today! Sign up for a postage-paid packet of cards to personalize and send back, or submit your words online here. Find out more or register to participate here!

• Huskie Finals Notecard Project (Oct - April 2025)

  Write notecards to current students with words of encouragement for finals week this spring! All volunteers are welcome to join us in packing notecards into goodie bags and handing them out. Sign up for a postage-paid packet of cards to personalize and send back, or submit your note online 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.

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

• Faculty, Staff & Alumni at the Huskie Food Pantry (Jan. 14-16, 2025)

  Volunteering at the Huskie Food Pantry is an important way to support our Huskie students. Your support helps us fight food insecurity on campus, fostering a caring community. Join us and make a difference—every bit counts! Learn more or register here (make sure to scroll to the bottom). 

• Student Career Fair Prep Workshop (Feb. 4, 2025)

  Remember your first conversation with a career recruiter? Wish you’d had someone help you prepare? Join us on Tuesday, Feb. 4 in the Holmes Student Center and help students prepare for their upcoming career fair by practicing their professional communication and interpersonal skills. Learn more and/or apply by Jan. 30. 

• NIU Advocacy Day (Feb. 26, 2025) -- SAVE THE DATE

  NIU Advocacy Day is a special event where students, alumni, faculty, and staff volunteers come together to showcase NIU's positive impact at the State Capitol. Volunteers are immersed in the daily activity and fast pace of the Illinois General Assembly. Each volunteer highlights how NIU has made a difference in their lives as they navigate the state capitol, walking the halls of our state leaders and participating in scheduled and ad-hoc meetings with legislators throughout the day. Please save the date for Advocacy Day taking place on Wednesday, February 26, 2025. Registration details will be available in January!

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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.