Lema Sharify
Published on: January 16, 2026
When Lema Sharify enrolled at Oakton, she had one clear goal: to become a nurse.
Jaalen Banner describes his time at Oakton College as a rollercoaster. His journey has included setbacks, self-doubt and moments of transformation.
When Riya Shah moved from Gujarat, India, she had no idea what college in the U.S. would be like.
Sameer Lodhi grew up surrounded by family in the health care field, so pursuing a career in radiography felt like a smart next step.
Published on: January 16, 2026
When Lema Sharify enrolled at Oakton, she had one clear goal: to become a nurse.
Published on: November 17, 2025
Scott Sophier has spent more than two decades serving the Evanston Community through law enforcement, but his journey started in the early 2000s—balancing work, school and his goals as a student at Oakton College.
Published on: October 24, 2025
When Marquise L. Weatherspoon saw a social media post about Oakton’s Workforce Empowerment Initiative (WEI), she was looking for something new.
Published on: September 23, 2025
When Jacqueline Sancen returned to Oakton College, she wasn’t just chasing a degree—she was reclaiming her confidence and sense of purpose.
Published on: August 12, 2025
Through a pandemic, Julian Ozers found a creative community at Oakton. He is pursuing an associate in fine arts, while he also set himself up for success with an AutoCAD certificate.
Published on: July 21, 2025
As a licensed physical therapist assistant, Patrick Butiong helps people move through pain and regain their confidence—one thoughtful exercise at a time.
Published on: July 8, 2025
"I’m mentoring students who are serious about design, helping them take their work to the next level. I’m learning with them, and helping them, while still pushing forward in my own career. It’s grounding. And they inspire me—they’re fearless."
Published on: June 12, 2025
Taylor was looking for a college experience that was a close to home commute. What he found were opportunities to build community and grow as a leader.
Published on: May 14, 2025
Marga’s decision to move to the U.S. was deeply personal—rooted in the desire for healing and openness around mental health.