Oakton Voices

Student Stories

Steven Gan

Oakton alum Steven Gan knows firsthand the experience of caring for a loved one. He embarked on an educational journey at Oakton, where he found a community of professors and advisors who encouraged him to explore a new career in the medical field.

After immigrating to the United States from Brazil in March 2020, Victor Leca set his sights on a college degree.

Victor Leca

When Sanele Stewart graduated from high school, he wasn't sure what he wanted to do next.

Sanele Stewart

Oakton Voices

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Your experience at Oakton will be as unique as you are. Our students are powered by connection to new ideas, community and opportunity. Explore their stories.

Lydia Delgado

Published on: December 8, 2023

Lydia Delgado found her path at Oakton as she completed pre-requisite courses needed before her Doctoral in Occupational Therapy degree at University of Illinois Chicago.

Elizabeth Perez

Published on: December 7, 2023

Elizabeth Perez is a driven and passionate student whose journey to a fulfilling career in nursing began while she was still in high school.

Marco Moreno

Published on: December 5, 2023

As the first in his family to go to college, Marco Moreno has paved a path for himself and for those who follow in his footsteps.

Lydia Cruz

Published on: December 4, 2023

Growing up in Guam, Lydia Cruz felt at home with the island’s distinctive culture and diverse population. Then she moved to the Chicago area at age 12 and entered what felt like a different world.

Engineering Grads

Published on: November 30, 2023

Oakton grads Michael Ciupinski, Alan Connor, Chris Iliopoulos and Antonio Mercado are finding out what it's like to join one of the country's best engineering school in their junior year through Oakton’s University of Illinois Engineering Pathways program.

Jerrod Tucker

Published on: November 29, 2023

Meet Jerrod W. Tucker—Distinguished Alumni Honoree ’23, Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Hall of Fame inductee and head coach of the Jacksonville 95ers. Beyond his achievements, Jerrod’s story is about the power of connections, inspiring a ripple effect of giving.

Filza Ali

Published on: October 11, 2023

Oakton alum Filza Ali loves learning and understanding systems. She applies her pre-med biology degree from Loyola University to a career in biotechnology with the company Tempus, where she is an operations analyst.

Julian Thompson

Published on: October 2, 2023

Distinguished Alumni honoree ’23, Julian Thompson, Ph.D., holds space for the complex and nuanced identities of the people he works with. Read about his work as an Assistant Professor of Criminology at University of Illinois Chicago.

Susanna Wagner

Published on: August 31, 2023

"Honestly, even before I had my nursing license, I knew nursing ran in my veins: medicine and helping others is part of my identity." Read how Oakton nursing alum, class of 2020, Susanna Wagner's calling became her career.