Advisement

Advisement Services

Your academic advisor can help you: 

  • Choose classes for the upcoming semester 
  • Ensure you are on track to graduation. We encourage students to meet with their advisor once per semester to stay on track.
  • Plan your transfer to a 4-year college or university  
  • Explore majors and careers  

How do I meet with an advisor?

New Students, Including Transfer Students

All new and transfer students seeking a degree or certificate are required to complete a New Student Appointment with an academic advisor. Each New Student Appointment lasts approximately 30 minutes and will include:

  • Meeting with an academic advisor
  • Discussing your academic and career goals
  • Going over program curriculum and certificate/degree requirements
  • Choosing courses for your first semester
  • Answering any questions you might have
  • After the appointment, students will be ready to register for their first semester of classes

The following steps must be completed prior to scheduling your New Student Appointment:

  1. Submit your Heartland application
  2. Confirm your residency in District 540
  3. Submit transcripts (high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores with the past three years, and any official transcripts from other colleges attended)*
  4. Complete placement testing, if necessary

*Transfer students must submit all official transcripts from any other colleges and universities attended; please plan ahead, as transcript evaluation can take 5-7 business days. To be as accurate and efficient as possible, all transcripts should be evaluated to the New Student Appointment.

If you have not completed all of the required steps listed above, your appointment will be canceled.

To schedule your New Student Appointment:

  • Spring 2026 new and transfer student appointments will open on Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
    • Appointments will begin on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.
  • Summer 2026 new and transfer student appointments will be open on Monday, February 2, 2026.
    • Appointments will begin on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

Appointments can be scheduled by calling 309.268.8027.

Current Student Appointments

Current students can schedule an in-person or virtual appointment by calling 309.268.8027 or use the Heartland Navigate app

Drop-ins

Monday - Friday

Noon - 4:00 pm

In-person on the first floor of the Community Commons Building

*Note: Advisement for Career and Technical Education programs/degrees is by appointment only, please see above for instructions on how to schedule an appointment.

Email

You can send an email to advising@heartland.edu. We ask that current students please email us from your myHeartland email address. You will hear back from an advisor within 1-2 business days. We may redirect you to make an appointment or stop in during drop-in hours for more in-depth assistance.

Returning to the College after time away

If you have been away from Heartland for three or more semesters by the time you will re-enroll, you will have to submit a new application. Returning students can work with an academic advisor in the ways listed below to get back on track towards reaching your goals.

Appointments

Current students can schedule an in-person or virtual appointment by calling 309.268.8027 or use the Heartland Navigate app

Drop-ins

Monday - Friday

Noon - 4:00 pm

In-person on the first floor of the Community Commons Building

*Note: Advisement for Career and Technical Education programs/degrees is by appointment only, please see above for instructions on how to schedule an appointment.

Email

You can send an email to advising@heartland.edu. We ask that current students please email us from your myHeartland email address. You will hear back from an advisor within 1-2 business days. We may redirect you to make an appointment or stop in during drop-in hours for more in-depth assistance.

Visiting Students

Visiting students to Heartland take courses to transfer back to their home institution. Please work with an advisor at your home institution to determine which course(s) you'd like to take at Heartland. 

If you need additional assistance, you can drop-in Monday-Friday from noon to 4pm in-person on the first floor of the Community Commons Building. Please bring a copy of your unofficial transcript from your home institution.

You can also email advising@heartland.edu

Please include your name, birthday, the course(s) you'd like to register for, and an unofficial transcript from your home institution. You will hear back from an advisor within 1-2 business days.

College Now On-Campus/Online Students

College NOW students cannot enroll themselves into classes and must interact with an advisor to get registered in one of the following ways:

Appointment

First time on-campus or online College NOW students are encouraged to schedule an appointment by calling 309.268.8027 to enroll in classes.

Drop-In

Monday - Friday

Noon - 4:00 pm

In-person on the first floor of the Community Commons Building

Email

If you have not met with an advisor previously and are not new to College NOW, please email advising@heartland.edu and your email will be forwarded to an advisor. Please include the following in your email: Your name, HCC ID number, and the class(es) you would like to enroll in.

If you have already met with an advisor, you may email that advisor directly. Please include the following in your email: Your name, HCC ID number, and the class(es) you would like to enroll in.

Register for Classes

Be sure you review the important information provided above, meet with your academic advisor for assistance with course selection, and have a plan to pay for college.

Major and Career Exploration

Advisors can help you discover the major and career path that is right for you. If you are undecided on your path, take advantage of these resources!

Career Coach can help you take a quiz to determine your interests and skills, match you with possible career pathways, and find matching degrees at Heartland.

Career Coach

After you have taken the Career Coach quiz, you can meet with an advisor to talk about your results or to take the Strong Interest Inventory, which provides another tool for exploration. You can make a Major and Career Exploration appointment by calling 309.268.8027 or by making an appointment in your Navigate App.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

  • How can I make an advising appointment?

    Use the Navigate360 app to make appointments with advisors, as well as other support areas on campus. Download the app on this page.

  • How can I change my assigned advisor?

    If you would like to switch your assigned academic advisor, please email advising@heartland.edu and include your name and ID number. If there is a specific advisor you would like to request, please include that in your email as well.

  • How do I register for classes?

    Link to registration page – whatever form that takes

  • How can I be sure my credits will transfer?

    The best way to be sure your credits will transfer is to be in contact with your intended transfer college or university. During your time at Heartland stay up to date with current transfer information (link to Transfer Services) and meet with your advisor regularly.

  • How close am I to graduation?

    Please consult with your academic advisor for details on your specific plan of study to determine your timeline toward graduation. You can use Navigate to make an appointment with your advisor.

  • How do I get a copy of my transcript?

    If you would like your Heartland transcript sent to another college or university, please submit a request for Heartland transcripts.

  • How do I apply for graduation?

    An application for graduation must be submitted before a degree or certificate is awarded. You MUST submit a graduation application, regardless of whether you intend to participate in the commencement ceremony. Please visit this graduation page for more information and deadlines.

Meet the Advisors

Normal Campus Advisors
Portait of Rachel Cook

Rachel Cook

Associate Dean, Enrollment Services

Normal Campus

Educational Background

  • Master of Science in College Student Personnel Administration from Illinois State University
  • Bachelor of Science in Communication from Millikin University

Special Student Populations

Student-athletes (excluding e-sports)

Portait of Megan Kayfish

Megan Kayfish

Associate Director, Career and Technical Education

Normal Campus

Educational Background

  • Master of Science in College Student Personnel Administration from Illinois State University
  • Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Millikin University

Special Student Populations

Students pursuing the career/technical programs

Portait of Sara Bourque

Sara Bourque

Academic Advisor

Normal Campus

Educational Background

  • Master of Science in College Student Personnel Administration from Illinois State University
  • Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Illinois State University
  • Associate in Arts from Heartland Community College

Special Student Populations

Honors Program students

Portait of Kathy McGrane

Kathy McGrane

Academic Advisor

Normal Campus

Educational Background

  • Master of Arts in Adult Christian Community Development from Regis University
  • Bachelor of Arts in International Management and Spanish from Central College
Portait of Emily Miller

Emily Miller

Academic Advisor

Normal Campus

Educational Background

  • Master of Science in Clinical Psychology from Illinois State University
  • Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Millikin University

Special Student Populations

Students participating in our employer programs

Portait of Faith Quast

Faith Quast

Academic Advisor

Normal Campus

Educational Background

  • Master of Social Work from University of Nevada, Reno
  • Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education from Illinois State University
  • Associate in Science from Heartland Community College

Special Student Populations

Students pursuing the career/technical programs

Portait of Ian Thurow

Ian Thurow

Academic Advisor

Normal Campus

Educational Background

  • Master of Science in College Student Personnel Administration from Illinois State University
  • Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Eastern Illinois University
  • Associate in Science from Parkland College

Special Student Populations

E-sports student-athletes

Portait of Kim Wietfeldt

Kim Wietfeldt

Academic Advisor

Normal Campus

Educational Background

  • Master of Science in Human Development and Family Science from Illinois State University
  • Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Illinois College

Special Student Populations

Students participating in Project Rise; students participating in the Country Financial Scholars Program

Lincoln Campus Advisors
Portait of Kelsi Edwards

Kelsi Edwards

Associate Director, HCC Lincoln

Lincoln Campus

Educational Background

  • Bachelor of Science in History from Illinois State University
  • Associate in Arts from Lincoln College
Pontiac Campus Advisors
Portait of John Salzer

John Salzer

Associate Director, HCC Pontiac 

Pontiac Campus

Educational Background

  • Doctor of Education in Ethical Leadership from Olivet Nazarene University
  • Master of Arts in Teaching Mathematics from University of Idaho
  • Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics and Secondary Education from College of St. Francis

Contact Us

Normal Campus

Community Commons Building (CCB) Suite 1000

1500 W. Raab Road

Normal, IL 61761

Appointment Hotline: 309-268-8027

Phone: 309-268-8033

Email: Advising@heartland.edu

Heartland Pontiac Center

211 E. Madison Street

Pontiac, IL 61764

Phone: 309-268-8960

Email: Pontiac.Center@heartland.edu

Heartland Lincoln Center

2201 Woodlawn Road

Lincoln, IL 62656

Phone: 217-735-1731

Email: Lincoln.Center@heartland.edu