AWESOME ALUMNI
PIONEER VOLUNTEER WHEN GUILFOR D L AUNCHED a
that impacted children and do
children in Rockingham County under
new volunteer program in October of
something that made a positive
the age of 5 are substantially met.
2019, Heather Adams ‘98 was one of the
impact on the world. I don’t think I
first to respond to the call for alumni
thought far beyond [that] yet...I didn’t
work, “That [first five years] set
volunteers.
have knowledge of how a nonprofit is
children up for the next phases in their
structured and how a board of directors
life...There is incredibly important
of Alumni and Parent Volunteer
operates. I think I more so had values
research around the science of brain
Engagement, describes Heather as
that were important to me.”
development now, and that is really
Hailey Hendrix, Assistant Director
“willing to help in every single capacity ...Whenever we have asked her to fill any volunteer position she has answered with an enthusiastic and resounding yes. She loves Guilford and is eager to help in any way she can.” Heather first rekindled a love for partaking in Guilford’s student development several years back as a representative for the Rockingham County Partnership for Children at one of the spring career fairs. “When you step back on campus,” recounts Heather, “it’s that Guilford feeling...that magical feeling that it had when you were a student comes back. It’s a very warm and inviting environment, and it was a
“When I graduated, I wanted
to do something that impacted children and do something that made a positive impact on the world. I don’t think I thought far beyond [that] yet...I didn’t have knowledge of how a nonprofit is structured and how a board of directors operates. I think I more so had values that were important to me.” — Heather Adams ’98
really big reminder of how much my
driving the work we do. Children are like sponges and their brains are developing rapidly. We are working to ensure they are surrounded by highquality early childhood experiences.” The Blue Ridge Institute is an almost entirely volunteer-run leadership development organization that holds a conference each July in the mountains of North Carolina for nonprofit executives across the nation. “Our goal is to help develop, support and strengthen leaders. I find this work really invigorating and inspiring. Supporting strong leadership is critical to social change,” she explains. Both organizations have in common the purposes of growth, development and excellence — values Heather connects with. These are also values
Guilford experience shaped my career
that stand behind Guilford’s new
and my life.” She continued to return each
Heather says of the Partnership’s
These values and a desire to pursue
Volunteer Program. Since she signed up to help with
year to the spring career fair,
positive impacts on children and the
enjoying speaking with students
world are evident in Heather’s work at
the program last October, Heather
about work in the nonprofit sector.
the Rockingham County Partnership
has been a Social Media Ambassador
And since Heather is Executive
for Children as well as the Blue Ridge
for Advancement and has helped as
Director of the Rockingham County
Institute.
a Giving Day Ambassador, helping
Partnership for Children, and in a two-
The Rockingham County Partnership
encourage her classmates to give for
year tenure as President of the Blue
for Children provides funds, assistance
Day for Guilford (April 1st). She has
Ridge Institute — both nonprofits —
and programming for partners in the
also connected via informational
Heather has learned plenty that she
business of child care throughout the
interview with one student curious
can pass on to students.
county, as well as support to families
to learn about life and work in the
with young children. The group is
nonprofit world.
“When I graduated,” recounts Heather, “I wanted to do something 24 | W W W. G U I L F O R D . E D U
dedicated to making sure all needs of
“It’s exciting to talk to someone who
