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Two years after suffering a cardiac arrest, North Central College women's track & field student-athlete Alivia Henkel stood atop the podium as an NCAA Division III national champion. In episode 17 of the 1861 Podcast, Henkel shares the story of her extraordinary comeback and the positivity, faith and support from her loved ones that carried her forward.

While on North Central’s campus, you’ve likely seen our Admission Student Ambassadors in action — welcoming prospective students and their families. As current students, ambassadors bring a personal perspective to every campus tour, sharing the places, people and experiences that have made North Central feel like home. Visit the link below to hear from our student ambassadors and experience campus through their eyes.

North Central College continues to earn national recognition for the quality and value of its educational experience! In the newly released U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings, North Central is recognized among the Top Private Colleges in the Regional Universities Midwest category and placed in the top 25 in the overall regional rankings.

In the second episode of our two-part fall sports preview on the 1861 Podcast, we connect with head women’s tennis coach Joey Leto and head women’s volleyball coach Ray Gooden to talk about the outlook for their seasons. Plus, we highlight a winning start to the 2026 campaign for the national title-contending football and women’s triathlon teams.

We’re proud to welcome 3,218 students for the 2026-27 academic year — the highest enrollment in our 165-year history! This marks the third consecutive year of record total enrollment here at North Central College.

Construction is underway on a new 60,000-square-foot Student Commons, a state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance the student experience. The facility will be built in two phases, beginning with a 30,000-square-foot dining center featuring expanded seating, an elevated dining experience, and convenient on-the-go options.

Save the date! Homecoming 2026 is October 8–11, and we can't wait to welcome alumni back to campus. Join us to reconnect with classmates, celebrate traditions and show off your Cardinal pride during what will be an unforgettable weekend!