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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• 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 by March 7.

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  Huskies United Day of Giving Ambassador (April 2-3)

  Join your fellow huskies and support student success as a Huskies United: Day of Giving (DOG) Ambassador! Spread awareness for various university programs by engaging your networks via social media, email, text, or word of mouth. As a DOG Ambassador you’ll have access to live trainings and ready-to-publish content to help you complete challenges. Support student success while you earn rewards! Learn more and/or register by March 21.

• NIU Paws for a Cause Week of Service (June 22 - 28, 2025)

  Volunteer as a Paws for a Cause Team Captain and help bring fellow alumni and friends together to complete a service project in your community. Work with our team to identify a volunteer site and we’ll help you advertise the project to alumni in your area! Learn more about the team captain role and register by March 31. Sites will be advertised to all alumni in April.

• 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 by March 14. 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 by March 15.

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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!

• NIU Paws for a Cause Week of Service (June 22 - 28)

  Volunteer as a Paws for a Cause Team Captain and help bring fellow alumni and friends together to complete a service project in your community. Work with our team to identify a volunteer site and we’ll help you advertise the project to alumni in your area! Learn more about the team captain role and register by March 31. Sites will be advertised to all alumni in April.

• NIU Preview & Admitted Student Days (Spring 2025)

  Join us in speaking to prospective students and families while they preview the NIU experience and tour campus.  Staff and alumni humanize the NIU experience and set an example of post-graduate success. See details, current openings, and register here.

• NIU College of Business Highschool Ethics Case Competition (April 4)

  Support the development of ethical leadership and become a volunteer judge for the High School Ethics Case Competition. This competition is hosted in collaboration with the College of Business BELIEF: Ethics Program and LEAD college student group. Join faculty, staff, and fellow alumni in evaluating participants solution to an ethical dilemma. Presentations will be help in Barsema Hall from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Learn more and register here to be a judge by March 31.

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  NIU Cares Day (April 4)

  Join us on Friday, April 4 as a Site Lead Volunteer for NIU Cares Day of Service! Help guide a group of 10–20 students as they give back to the DeKalb community. Service projects will include community garden cleanups, and more. Your leadership and experience can help inspire students to embrace service and community engagement. All site leaders receive a 30-minute training before April. Learn more and register here by March 20.

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  Career Readiness Week: Mock Interview Day (April 10)

  Help students from a variety of majors practice professional communication and interview skills during our on-campus Mock Interview Day! Conduct mock interviews and provide feedback to students in a constructive environment. Join us for all or one of the three interview rounds between 3-6 p.m. on Thursday, April 10. Learn more or register here by March 24:.

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  "Packing Party" for the Huskie Finals Notecard Project (April 15)

  Join your fellow alumni in packing your notecards into care packages for students studying for their Spring 2025 finals! Our annual Huskie Finals Notecard “Packing Party” will be held on Tuesday, April 15 from 5:30-8 p.m. at Lou Malnati’s (Naperville, IL). Enjoy food and refreshments while you “pack” notecards for Huskie Finals Notecard “Handout Week”. Space is limited, so register today. 

• Faculty, Staff & Alumni at the Huskie Food Pantry (May 6-8)

  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). 

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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.