Student Trustee seated to Heartland Community College Board

The Heartland Community College Board of Trustees has seated a new member to represent students in District 540. 

Andria Merkle of Bloomington took the Oath of Office and was seated as Student Trustee during the regular meeting of the Board on April 25, 2023. She is a freshman at Heartland Community College (HCC) pursuing an Associate in Arts degree with a focus on political science. 

Merkle was elected to be the student representative on the College’s governing Board earlier this month in student elections. She joins Macy Bahr of Normal (President), Stephen Sims of Towanda (Executive VP), and Brittney Billerbeck of Cullom (VP of Communications) as 2023-2024 HCC Student Government Association (SGA) officers. SGA offices are elected by Heartland Community College students. 

“Hearing the student voice is an integral component of college governance, and the Student Trustee plays an important role in ensuring the needs and priorities of every Heartland Hawk are heard,” said Heartland Community College President Keith Cornille. “The full team of outstanding student government leaders help us fulfill the mission of helping students progress and attain their educational goals.” 

The Student Board Member will hold privileges of membership, including the right to make and second motions and attend executive sessions. As a non-voting member the Student Trustee is not considered in determining a quorum for Board action. 

Merkle fills the expiring term vacated by Rodney Billerbeck who served as Student Trustee from April 2022 until March 2023. Billerbeck is set to graduate Heartland this spring and plans to transfer Illinois State University.