June 15, 2012,Fifteen students were selected for the Heartland Community Scholars program, which gives students the chance to pay for college by performing community service and building leadership skills.

Heartland students selected for the Community Scholars Program include Alissa Cross of Atlanta and Adrienne Alley of Lincoln.

Participants in the intensive two-year Community Scholars program are expected to use leadership training and experiential learning techniques to fulfill community service commitments. As a Community Scholar, tuition and fees are waived for up to four semesters of full-time enrollment, as well as for two summer sessions. Each student also is assigned a program mentor and designated advisor and provided with opportunities for on-campus leadership exercises and practical off-campus work experiences. Students volunteer at such pre-approved, non-profit organizations as Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Special Opportunities Available in Recreation (SOAR), the David Davis Mansion and the Humane Society of Central Illinois, as well as various schools, after-school programs and nursing homes.

The Community Scholars program at Heartland is specifically designed for recent high school graduates of District 540. Admission to the program is based on high school academic performance, achievement scores, teacher recommendations and the quality of the application. For more information about the Community Scholars Program at Heartland, contact Pamela Sweetwood, director of Special Programs, at (309) 268-8168 or email pamela.sweetwood@heartland.edu.