Dean of Students

College Transition Support

Success Education (SCED) Courses

SCED courses are designed to help students develop and grow the skills needed for college, the workforce, and beyond.  

To see our course offerings for the current or upcoming semesters, please see the Class Schedule.

All new students are required to complete SCED 099: Student Success Orientation. This 3-hour orientation is hosted at the beginning of each semester.  The goal of this orientation is to prepare students to be successful at HCC by walking them through Canvas, Navigate, the HCC Website and MyHeartland Tiles. Students will also learn about the many resources HCC available to them. 0 credit hours.

ICCB Campus Liaisons and Navigators

In accordance with state legislation, Heartland’s ICCB Campus liaisons and navigators are here to support students who may encounter barriers related to housing insecurity, basic needs, benefits and/or immigration status. The liaisons and navigators can help students determine eligibility for benefit programs and identify campus and community resources.

HOUSE Liaison and Benefits Navigator

Director of Student Success, Jennifer Vieley
Jennifer.Vieley@heartland.edu 

309-268-8055 

Undocumented Student Liaison

Dean of Students, Jessica Pickel
Jessica.Pickel@heartland.edu 

Veterans Coordinator

Assistant Director of the Veterans Center, Jerri Andrew
Jerri.Andrew@heartland.edu
309-268-8782

Returning Hawks

The Dean of Students Office oversees the Returning Hawks Program, which allows former students who owe the college money to return to Heartland and start taking college classes towards a degree or certificate. Successful students are eligible to have up to $2,500 of debt forgiven. 

To be eligible for the Returning Hawks Program, you must:

1. Have been away from Heartland for 3 or more years.*
2. Be a current resident of Heartland's district.
3. Currently owe the College money.
4. Complete the Admission process for Returning Students
5. Complete the Returning Hawks Program application.
6. Meet with the Dean of Students designee to review and sign the Returning Hawks Program contract (new applicant meeting invitations will be sent on March 15th).
   Students who participate in the Returning Hawks Program receive one-on-one guidance from one of our success coaches. 

To ensure students' success, the Returning Hawks will only consider students for fall and spring semesters. The deadline to apply for fall semester is August 1. The deadline to apply for spring semester is December 1.

*Students admitted to a WEI-approved program may be considered for the Returning Hawks Program even if it's been less than 3 years since they were last enrolled. Go to WEI's website to learn more about the programs available and to submit an interest form. Conditions apply.

Care Team

The purpose of the CARE Team is to enhance student retention and completion by employing a collaborative, case management approach to support high-risk students. In partnership with campus stakeholders, the team meets regularly to discuss what barriers exist to referred students’ well-being and academic success and to determine the appropriate department, person, or resource that may aid their success. The team monitors students’ cases to determine if further interventions are required to foster meaningful engagement and persistence within the college environment.

Referrals to the CARE team can be made by faculty members, staff, or students using the following avenues:

• Alerts raised through the EAB Navigate system
• Conduct reports submitted to the College
• Emailing deanofstudents@heartland.edu 

CARE Team Members include:

• Associate Vice-President of Enrollment and Student Services 
• Dean of Students 
• Associate Dean of Students 
• Director of Student Access and Accommodation Services 
• Director of Advising 
• Director of Student Counseling 
• Director of Student Success 
• Associate Director of Public Safety

Pregnancy, Pregnancy-Related Conditions and Parenting Modifications

Subtopic: Pregnancy, Pregnancy-Related Conditions and Parenting Modifications 
Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, which includes discrimination on the basis of current, potential, and past pregnancy and related conditions, as well as current, 
potential, and past parental, family, and marital status. Title IX requires that institutions treat pregnancy and related conditions in the same manner and under the same policies as 
other temporary medical conditions. If you require additional support, please complete the Pregnancy, Pregnancy-Related Conditions, and Parenting Modifications form.  

Students Rights and Expectations of Conduct

Heartland strives to offer an equitable and innovative learning environment. To offer an environment in which all students have the greatest chance of success, we expect students to uphold the Student Code of Conduct. Heartland students should refer to the  Student Handbook regularly to learn more about the Student Code of Conduct, as well as to learn about their rights and resources. 

Student Conduct Process

The student conduct process at HCC exists to protect the interests of the community and to address instances when a student’s behavior is not in accordance with the College’s policies with respect to student behavior expectations. If it is reported that a student’s behavior in or outside of the classroom has violated the College’s policies, the student will be afforded due process. 

Due process, as defined within the College’s procedures, assures written notice of a violation, a conference (or hearing, in some instances) before an objective decision-maker, and the right to appeal. No student will be found in violation of College policy without information showing that it is more likely than not that a policy violation occurred, and any sanctions will be proportionate to the severity of the violation and to the cumulative conduct history of the student.

Student Concerns

Appeals

Heartland strives to offer an equitable and innovative learning environment. To offer an environment in As described in the Student Handbook, students have the right to question or appeal decisions made by college administration or faculty. 

The Dean of Students Office oversees the Extenuating Circumstances Appeal Process. Extenuating circumstances are non-course related issues that may have limited students ability to be successful in a course, including financial or physical hardship. Examples may include: serious injury or illness; chronic illness; medical issue of a family member that impacts the student; mental health condition; a sudden or consistent lack of transportation; and significant cost of living increase.

There are various types of appeals. Students should reference the appeals section of the Student Handbook to determine the best way to file their appeal.

Temporary Special Leave Requests

Students may be eligible for temporary special leave deemed reasonable for a limited period, with appropriate documentation. The Temporary Special Leave Request should be used for students needing to be away for bereavement after the loss of a loved one, military training, military deployment, or other special circumstances. The Dean of Students Office staff acts as a liaison between the student and faculty to encourage continued communication and ensure academic requirements are addressed. Students are expected to work with individual instructors regarding specific requests and communicate the anticipated duration of the absence. Documentation may be requested to support the request.

Bereavement

Typically, students are eligible for up to seven calendar days of excused absences in the event of a death of an immediate family member or relative, including spouse, domestic partner, parent, child, grandparents, grandchild or sibling, uncle, aunt, niece, nephew, first cousin, in-law, or step relative. The Dean of Students will consider requests beyond the immediate family or relatives listed on a case-by-case basis. If excessive travel time is required, additional time may be granted. Students should submit the Temporary Special Leave Request and include the dates they will miss class and when they expect to return.

Military Leave and Deployment

Students who are scheduled to miss less than 2 weeks may be eligible for a temporary, short-term leave of absence. Students must self-identify by completing the Temporary Short-term Leave of Absence form and providing a copy of their military orders, training schedule, or letter from the applicable unit/commander.

Students called to active duty for 2 weeks or more have the right to receive a refund of tuition and fees applicable to their registration. To initiate the process, students should complete the Student Appeal Due to Extenuating Circumstances form. Students are advised to work with their instructors and/or the Dean of Students Office to identify the best course of action. 

Temporary Medical Accommodations Request 

The Student Access and Accommodation Services Office oversees the Temporary Medical Accommodations Process. Temporary medical circumstances include, but are not limited to: surgical recovery, pregnancy or new parenting, extended hospitalization, persistent injury, or severe illness. 

Temporary Medical Accommodations Request