Des Plaines, Ill. (Sept. 1, 2026) — From advancing space exploration and improving patient care to preserving Indigenous knowledge and strengthening local communities, Oakton College alums are making an impact across a wide range of fields and communities. Oakton will celebrate four of these accomplished graduates at its 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony on Sept. 10.
“We are proud to honor Oakton’s 2026 Distinguished Alumni and celebrate their remarkable achievements,” said Joiannne L. Smith, Ph.D. “While their paths are different, each has used their knowledge and experiences to make meaningful contributions to society. Their accomplishments reflect Oakton’s Vision 2030 strategic plan’s commitment to building just and thriving communities.”
Do is a board-certified ambulatory care pharmacy specialist at Advocate Medical Group, specializing in HIV and chronic disease management. After discovering her passion for science at Oakton, she earned a bachelor’s degree from Benedictine University and a doctorate in pharmacy from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Do has extensive experience in medication therapy management, including HIV, diabetes, hypertension and anticoagulation. The University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Pharmacy has recognized her for her clinical work with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. Beyond patient care, Do leads community health initiatives and mentors the next generation of pharmacy students and residents.
Jones, Maine Township supervisor, has dedicated more than three decades to government and community service. A longtime Park Ridge resident, she joined the Maine Township Board in 2014 and became supervisor in 2025. She previously served on the Park Ridge City Council and the city’s Flood Control Task Force.
Jones has also worked for the state of Illinois for more than 37 years and currently serves as an administrator for the Division of Banking. As a supervisor, she has focused on expanding food assistance, transportation, veterans' services, and other essential resources. She has also worked to strengthen partnerships and improve access to public health, safety and recovery resources throughout Maine Township.
Roxas, a citizen of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, is executive director of the Trickster Cultural Center in Schaumburg. Drawing on her background in environmental studies and her grandmother’s traditional teachings, she works to connect Indigenous knowledge and Western science to advance ecological stewardship and cultural resilience.
Under Roxas’ leadership, Trickster Cultural Center amplifies Native American voices through first-voice narratives, contemporary arts and community education. She also guides land-based initiatives that revitalize traditional plant knowledge and connect healing, environmental justice and self-determination across Native communities and collaborating institutions.
Sugatan turned a lifelong fascination with space into a career supporting NASA’s Artemis missions. While earning an associate degree in Engineering at Oakton, she joined the College’s Lunabotics team. In 2016, the team placed second overall among 43 teams in NASA’s Robotic Mining Competition and earned four awards.
Sugatan went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Illinois Chicago. She worked at the Kennedy Space Center, supporting the Artemis I and II programs, and later joined the Swedish Space Corporation. In August 2026, she became a NASA civil servant and project manager supporting the Artemis III program.
The Distinguished Alumni Awards recognize Oakton graduates whose achievements, leadership and service make a lasting impact in their professions and communities. Visit Oakton's Alumni page to learn more about the honorees, the awards program and opportunities to stay connected.