COD Professor Finalist for International Volunteer Award

New Plymouth, New Zealand (12 November, 2015) - International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) announced this week that College of DuPage English Professor Danica Hubbard of Naperville is among the 12 international volunteers who have been selected as finalists for the 2015 IVHQ Volunteer of the Year Awards.

This year, the awards are celebrating the inspiring efforts of volunteers who make important contributions to communities at home and abroad. The IVHQ Volunteer of the Year will be determined by public vote with the winning nominee receiving an all-expenses paid scholarship to volunteer abroad on one of IVHQ's community projects.

The 2015 IVHQ Volunteer of the Year Awards attracted hundreds of nominations and these have been narrowed down to 12 finalists - a passionate group of volunteers from the USA, Canada and New Zealand. Ranging from 18 to 47 years old, these volunteers have demonstrated exemplary commitment to supporting community projects within their local communities, or while volunteering overseas.

Awarded the Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year at College of DuPage, Hubbard is actively involved in supporting many local volunteer organizations including Literacy Volunteers of America, Hesed House, Re-Member, Emergency Meals Committee and Rainbows for All Children. Danica has also volunteered abroad on IVHQ's Construction and Renovation projects in Costa Rica alongside her husband and two daughters.

"My volunteer experience is robust and diverse. I am a strong contributor in local, national and international volunteer opportunities. I enjoy absorbing, recording and sharing backgrounds with others," Hubbard said.

Hubbard is embracing her nomination for the Volunteer of the Year Awards as an opportunity to build on her international volunteer experience and is seeking to volunteer in the

Philippines to contribute her experience in teaching developmental reading and writing.

"Sharing my knowledge and background in education with others, being able to explain and demonstrate literacy in creative and adaptable ways, and inspiring young people to immerse themselves in communication to foster a global bond among us" is what Hubbard said she hopes to gain should she be successful in winning the volunteer abroad scholarship.

IVHQ Executive Director, Daniel Radcliffe, explained that the focus of the Awards this year is to celebrate the best examples of volunteering and community engagement.

To view the profiles of the other finalists and cast your vote for IVHQ Volunteer of the Year through Nov. 24, visit: www.volunteerhq.org/volunteer-of-the-year/2015.

International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) is a pioneer of affordable and sustainable volunteer travel. Operating in more than 30 destinations across Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe and the Pacific, IVHQ enables volunteers to make a meaningful and lasting contribution to community projects in the areas of education, construction and renovation, childcare, conservation, wildlife and animal care, community development and social enterprise. Since its launch in 2007, IVHQ has helped more than 50,000 volunteers spend over three million hours supporting community projects abroad.