Powell to retire as Director of Heartland Community College Lincoln

 

[March 12, 2022]   Kristi Powell, Director of Heartland Community College Lincoln, will retire this month after serving the College for 25 years.

Powell began her tenure at Heartland Community College (HCC) as an academic advisor serving Logan County area students at Heartland Community College Lincoln (HCCL) in 1996. In 2000, she embarked on a new role as a Site Supervisor, a post she held for 14 years before beginning her service as Associate Director, HCCL in 2014.

Powell has been serving as Director, HCC Lincoln since July of 2019. She has served HCCL through pivotal moments like the location’s expansion and relocation in 2018 and has led an impressive list of developments throughout her career with Heartland, unveiling numerous pathways to meaningful educational opportunities for students and community members.

A noteworthy component of the relocation in 2018 proved to be the addition of a nursing lab. Once the new lab was in place, Powell oversaw and supported the launching of HCCL’s Certified Nursing Assistant program. Providing a pathway for area students seeking a nursing career, this program has held successful classes every fall and spring semester since its inception.

In 2019, Powell helped develop the Miss Logan County Fair Queen scholarship: an annual $2000 award for the fair queen winner to use in furthering their education.

Powell supported the addition of Lincoln of the Scholarship Scramble, an annual Heartland fundraiser previously only held in Bloomington. Powell collaborated with the College’s Foundation for another new annual event, the Lincoln Luau in 2020.

Funds raised at both events have gone directly to programs and scholarships in support of students. Cumulatively, HCC Foundation events in Lincoln have raised more than $60,000 since that initial expansion in 2015.

“Kristi has been the face of Heartland in Logan County for many years. Her enthusiasm and willingness to do whatever it takes for students is always evident.,” said Kelli Tillery Hill, Heartland Community College Vice President of External Relations. “She has created a welcoming and personal environment at HCCL and forged many critical relationships that will serve students, the communities of Logan County, and the College in perpetuity.”

Powell will be recognized during the March 15 Board of Trustees meeting, to be held on the Heartland Community College Lincoln campus. During the meeting, administration will also announce the hiring of the next Director of HCC Lincoln.

[Steve Fast
Assistant to the President, Public Information and Communication
Heartland Community College]