Spring 2025 Adult Scholarship Recipients
Macon and Piatt County – Thirty-four Macon and Piatt County residents are receiving $60,000 in educational scholarships through a competitive program coordinated by The Heart of Illinois Community Foundation (HICF). This scholarship cycle is the first to welcome applications from adults residing in all three counties in the HICF service area. This semester’s individual awards range from $1,000 to $2,500. Since inception in 2020, the adult scholarship program is possible thanks to generous individuals, families, and organizations, granting up to $100,000 annually.
The adult scholarship program represents an investment in workforce development supporting individuals seeking further education in critical need fields. This scholarship cycle, nine new recipients are pursuing degrees in education, two recipients are pursuing degrees in business, and two are pursuing doctorate level degrees in nursing (DNP).
New Adult Scholarship Recipients Spring 2025
Name, School/Program, Place of Employment
- Amber Goebel, American College of Education, Bement CUSD #5 Middle School Teacher
- Rebecca Harding, Millikin University, Decatur Memorial Hospital
- Tracy Hayward, Rockhurst University, Millikin University
- Kelly Hill, University of Illinois Chicago, Decatur Memorial Hospital
- Mary Jenkins, Grand Canyon University, DPS #61 Franklin Grove Elementary School
- Veronica Jones, Illinois State University, Student at Parkland College
- Stacy Marksberry, American College of Education, Sangamon Valley School District
- Allison Nolen, University of Illinois Springfield, Warrensburg-Latham CUSD #11 High School Principal
- Holly Ravenscraft, American College of Education, Argenta-Oreana CUSD #1 Teacher
- Kelsey Rigsby, Eastern Illinois University, DPS #61 Franklin Grove Elementary School Teacher
- Lydia Strand, Indiana University Indianapolis, Deland-Weldon High School Teacher
- Lafecia Taylor, Millikin University, FedEx Ground
- Julie Turner, Eastern Illinois University, DPS #61 Teaching & Learning Strategist
Renewing Adult Scholarship Recipients Spring 2025
Name, School/Program, Place of Employment
- Brooke Bates, Mississippi State University, State of Illinois
- Lillian Briscoe, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Lutheran Child & Family Services
- Nathaniel Cardinal, Wilmington University, State Farm Insurance
- Nikki Eagler, American College of Education, Maroa-Forsyth Elementary Teacher
- Jami Fawley, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Children's Museum of Illinois
- Denise Flexser, Grand Canyon University, Mt. Zion Intermediate School
- Natasha Hamilton, Millikin University, Student
- Tara Hubbard, Grand Canyon University, DPS #61
- Alexa Jones, Eastern Illinois University, Sangamon Valley High School Teacher
- Serena Klaves, University of Illinois Springfield, Farm Credit Illinois
- Evan Klaves, Midstate Electrical Training Center, Bodine Electric of Decatur
- Garrett McMillion, Midstate Electrical Training Center, Student
- John Meek, Midstate Electrical Training Center, Bodine Electric of Decatur
- Abigail Norman, American College of Education, Meridian High School Teacher
- Joshua Platzbecker, Millikin University, Illinois College
- Raphaella Prange, Maryville University, Maryville University
- Allison Shuppara, Ohio University, Richland Community College
- Kati Smith, North Central College, Macon-Piatt Special Education District
- Andrew Taylor, Millikin University, Economic Development Corporation of Decatur & Macon County
- Tamika Thomas, Indiana-Wesleyan University, Richland Community College
- LaMarcus Williams, Midstate Electrical Training Center, Bodine Electric of Decatur
Adults and Graduating High School Seniors have the opportunity to apply for Fall Semester 2025 scholarship funding when the application portal opens on January 1, 2025 at heartofillinois.org. Completed applications are due by March 1, 2025 (11:59 PM). Questions about the Adult Scholarship Program should be directed to HICF Director of Scholarships and Grant Administration, Andrea Gerhard, at agerhard@heartofillinois.org or 217.429.3000.
