SRC Alumni

Amanda Atchley is the Director of Operations at Black Maple Coffee and a proud Spoon River College alumna. She chose SRC because it was close to home and offered the welcoming feel of a true hometown campus. That environment provided her with a strong foundation and a sense of connection that made her college experience both comfortable and meaningful.

During her time at SRC, Amanda’s interests in community, education, and the outdoors began to take shape, setting her on a path toward environmental education and public service. After graduating from SRC, she continued her education at Northland College, earning a Bachelor of Science in Outdoor Education with a Natural History emphasis. Amanda’s professional journey has included roles with the Girl Scouts of Central Illinois, the Fulton County Health Department, the Canton Area Chamber of Commerce, Camp Big Sky, the Canton Park District, and now Black Maple Coffee. Across these positions, she has focused on program development, volunteer leadership, community partnerships, and connecting people to nature and local resources.

Community involvement remains central to Amanda’s work and personal life. She serves as a 4-H leader, University of Illinois Extension Master Naturalist, Spoon River CEO Board member, and Spoon River Arboretum Committee member—an especially meaningful role, as she was married at the Arboretum in 2008. Honored with the Women of Achievement Award in 2017 and the Spoon River College Foundation Alumni Achievement Award in 2019, Amanda is proud to continue giving back to the community that helped shape her educational and professional journey.