The public, two-year open admissions college is an affordable resource for higher education, focusing on student success. Initially operating from leased space in Bloomington, the College's steady growth in services, programs and enrollment led to the establishment of a permanent main campus in Normal in 2000. For its first 19 years, the College was led by founding president, Dr. Jonathan M. Astroth. Upon his retirement in August 2010, Dr. Allen Goben assumed the role as the College’s second president. Centrally located in Normal, Illinois with convenient access to I-74, I-55 and I-39, Heartland's main campus is home to more than 40 programs for career training and transfer preparations. Among the ten buildings that make up the main campus is the first state-funded LEED-Certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) building in Illinois -- the Workforce Development Center. A founding member of the Illinois Green Economy Network, Heartland provides training and education that responds to the workforce needs of the regional green economy, helping to address state and national sustainability initiatives. Progressive child development education and space exploration also are part of the unique offerings at Heartland through the Child Development Lab and the Challenger Learning Center. In addition to more than 5,200 credit students, Heartland Community College provides a diverse selection of non-credit enrichment, recreation and professional development classes for more than 8,000 community members. The newly formed CornBelter's professional baseball team calls the Heartland campus home, sharing the Corn Crib baseball stadium and sports complex with Heartland Hawks' Athletics in on the east end of campus. Additional instructional facilities, a Student Center addition, an expanded Heartland Cafe and student bookstore join the new Astroth Community Education Center and a Fitness and Recreation Center on campus, expanding the ability of Heartland Community College to support access to higher education and excellence in teaching in learning with an enhanced focus on student and community success.
