The world of business offers a wide array of career paths for ambitious individuals. It's also fast-paced and constantly changing. Success comes to those who are best able to think quickly, adapt on the fly and see the big picture.
As part of the Division of Business and Career Technologies, Oakton's Business program can help give you the skills and knowledge to succeed in business and find a job in roles as varied as human resources, marketing, sales, management and many more. Your studies will be an investment in your career as you'll learn the best practices and processes necessary to get the job done—whether you are working for others or as an entrepreneur. You'll also learn theory and history to fully understand the decisions driving your industry—and take the lead and make those decisions yourself.
You'll learn in a technology-driven classroom environment that will prepare you for the modern world. You'll be taught by knowledgeable and experienced professionals who are as adept in real-world business situations as they are in the classroom.
Our general business administration curriculum offers courses similar to those taken by students during their first two years at a four-year college or university. If you are exploring the field of business, the Applied Business Certificate is a great place to start. If you're planning on transferring to a four-year institution to complete your business studies before pursuing a career, you'll pursue an associate in arts degree (and take business electives). Transfer requirements differ slightly from school to school, so you should meet with your advisor to ensure you are selecting the correct Oakton courses.
If you're interested in earning an associate degree and then entering the workforce, explore Oakton's career programs in your chosen major.
This comprehensive certificate encompasses skills in the following areas: communications, accounting, math, computer applications, management, marketing and human relations. Graduates will be qualified for entry-level business positions.
This certificate includes courses preparing students for customer service positions including training in management, marketing, human relations and business etiquette.
Employment in business and financial operations occupations is projected to grow 8 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations, adding about 750,800 new jobs.
This median annual wage for business and financial occupations was $72,250 in May 2020, which was higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $41,950.
Accountants and Auditors
Financial Analysts
Human Resources Specialists
Labor Relations Specialists
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners
Personal Financial Advisors
Purchasing Managers, Buyers, and Purchasing Agents
Tracy Fulce
Chair of Business
Distinguished Professor of Business
B.A. Michigan State University
M.B.A. Baker College
tfulce@oakton.edu
847.376.7803, Skokie
Office: B216, Skokie
Lisa Cherivtch
Coordinator of Global Business
Professor of Business
B.S. Northern Illinois University
M.B.A. DePaul University
lcherivt@oakton.edu
847.376.7123
Office: 3604, Des Plaines
David Lewis
dlewis@oakton.edu
Associate Professor, Business
847.635.1917
Office: 3604, Des Plaines
Keenan Andrews
Associate Professor, Business
Division of Business and Career Technologies
Doctorate of Management, Colorado Technical University
MA Political Science, Roosevelt University
BS Criminal Justice, Illinois State University
kandrews@oakton.edu
2712 Des Plaines
847-376-7266
Merilee K. Slipenko, Esq.
B.A. Loyola University of Chicago
M.Ed. Loyola University of Chicago
M.A. Dominican University
M.S. Dominican University
J.D. The John Marshall Law School|
mwaters@oakton.edu
847-376-7809
Office: B212, Skokie
Meet our part time faculty
Larry Benjamin
Lecturer
B.S. Illinois State University
M.B.A. Northwestern University
lbenjamin@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie
Cheryl Brown
Lecturer
B.S.B.A. University of Illinois, Chicago
M.B.A. Roosevelt University
cbrown@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie
Thomas Byrne
Lecturer
B.A. Creighton University
M.M. Northwestern University
tbyrne@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie
Jennifer Campbell
Lecturer
B.S. Northern Illinois University
M.B.A. Northeastern Illinois University
jcampbel@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie
Larry Cohen, C.P.A.
Lecturer
B.S.B.A. Roosevelt University
M.S. Roosevelt University
J.D. John Marshall Law School
L.L.M. John Marshall Law School
lcohen@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie
Craig Cunningham
Lecturer
B.A. University of Southern California
J.D. University of Chicago
ccunning@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie
Cynthia Del Medico
Lecturer
B.S.C. DePaul University
M.B.A. Loyola University, Chicago
cdelmedi@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie
Leslie Dubin
Lecturer
A.B. University of Illinois at Chicago
M.B.A. Northeastern Illinois University
ldubin@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie
Eileen Halpin
Lecturer
B.A. Loyola University Chicago
J.D. John Marshall Law School
ehalpin@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie
Bruce Mueller
Lecturer
B.B.A. Loyola University Chicago
M.B.A. Loyola University Chicago
bmueller@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie
Elizabeth O'Connor
Lecturer
B.A. University of Illinois at Chicago
M.B.A. University of Illinois at Chicago
eoconnor@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie
Brian Porter
Lecturer
B.B.A. Georgia State University
M.B.A. Texas Southern University
J.D. Chicago-Kent College of Law
bporter@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie
David Williams
Lecturer
B.A. Harvard University
M.B.A. Loyola University Chicago
dwilliam@oakton.edu
847.635.1910
Office: B206, Skokie