2022 News and Events

Oakton hosts 800+ girls for Futures Unlimited

Published on December 16, 2022

Des Plaines, Ill. (Dec. 15, 2022) – More than 800 eighth-grade students from 22 middle schools participated in Oakton’s Futures Unlimited on Dec. 15, a daylong annual program that introduces young female and gender-expansive students to the world of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) - inspiring them to explore new interests and pursue their passions. Read More on Oakton hosts 800+ girls...

Bushra Khan

Published on November 29, 2022

Bushra Khan won the gold medal in the poetry category of the Phi Ro Pi national community college speech competition for her piece, “Islam in America: A Poetic Program on Power, Peace and Possibility.” Read More on Bushra Khan

Christian Vega

Published on November 10, 2022

Christian Vega served for three years in Alaska employed as an Aerial Port Airmen—also known as a Port Dog—in the Passenger Service Center. Read More on Christian Vega

Matt Schiavone

Published on October 5, 2022

Matt Schiavone feels storytelling is at the core of social justice work. After earning a bachelor’s degree from Roosevelt University and working for several years at a youth nonprofit in Chicago, he realized he could apply his passion for storytelling to make a difference in the world. Read More on Matt Schiavone

Syeda Samiha

Published on September 7, 2022

Syeda Samiha wasn’t sure if she would fit in as an Oakton STEM Scholar. Initially, she wanted to study computer science, but quickly realized she wanted an education that allowed her to be creative and explore many of her interests. Read More on Syeda Samiha

Maria Gutierrez

Published on September 2, 2022

When Maria Gutierrez decided to start college, she had already accomplished a lot in her life—learning English as a second language, raising her kids and excelling at her job. But then, like it did for so many, Covid changed everything. Maria is an accounting student and campus leader. Read More on Maria Gutierrez

Iwona Zylinska

Published on September 2, 2022

Ten years ago, Iwona Zylinska moved to the U.S. from Poland, where she was a pharmacy technician. She wanted to build on her skills in the health care field and began her education with Oakton’s medical coding and billing certificate program. Seeing a chance for even more opportunity, she went on to earn her associate degree in health information technology. Read More on Iwona Zylinska

John Maye

Published on September 2, 2022

John Maye had a good-paying job in banking when he felt a call to change careers. He did what so many people dream of but never do—he took the leap to go back to school. Read More on John Maye

Luis Toro

Published on September 2, 2022

Oakton student body president Luis Toro found a way to express himself through competitive debate in high school. He has excelled in the Oakton community, and beyond. Read More on Luis Toro

Jessica Swider

Published on April 29, 2022

Jessica Swider is pursuing a career as a physician’s assistant and knew Oakton would be a smart first step to gain training in medicine. Read More on Jessica Swider

Nathan Norman

Published on April 29, 2022

"If you’re looking for something that’s going to prepare you and push you forward, Oakton is the place to start," says community leader and Oakton alum Nathan Norman. Read More on Nathan Norman

A’mon Holmes

Published on April 29, 2022

"At Oakton, you get to see so many perspectives, so many different backgrounds," says Oakton student A'mon Holmes. "I’ve opened up to new ideas." Read More on A’mon Holmes

Yong Yoo

Published on April 29, 2022

"Oakton made my career happen," says manufacturing alum Yong Yoo. "The professors were really willing to help me. They connected me directly to companies in the manufacturing industry." Read More on Yong Yoo

Josselyn Cruz

Published on April 29, 2022

When I started making connections at Oakton and got to know the staff and faculty and met friends, it showed me that everyone really wants me to be successful. Read More on Josselyn Cruz

Jose Ramirez

Published on April 29, 2022

"I want to help people and help my community," says firefighter apprentice Jose Ramirez. "The whole idea just inspired me and pushed me more to go for a career in public service." Read More on Jose Ramirez

Parthvi Rana

Published on April 29, 2022

"I’m getting a strong foundation in computer science at Oakton," says Parthvi Rana. "I have a huge opportunity to represent women in the field of technology." Read More on Parthvi Rana