As the oldest daughter in a family with five siblings, Ariadna Mentado Vasquez has learned to balance many responsibilities.
Discover how Crystal Barrera built a healthcare career through Oakton's Medical Assistant Apprenticeship with Northwestern Medicine.
Ryan Lewandowski chose Oakton College's nursing program because it was close to home, affordable and the education he was looking for. Discover how that decision launched a rewarding career in patient care, leadership and education.
Published on: July 13, 2026
After immigrating from the country of Georgia to the United States, Ana Adamadze found her voice at Oakton, becoming Student Government Association president while preparing for a future in international law and human rights.
Published on: May 14, 2026
As a high school student, Adedunni Dayo-Kayode planned to attend a top university. When his path changed, the Nigerian-born student turned to Oakton College and discovered new opportunities to study computer science and shape campus life.
Published on: May 11, 2026
Cuando Sol Lara llegó a Estados Unidos en 2021, lo hizo con una vida ya establecida: una carrera universitaria, años de experiencia laboral y una rutina que definía su día a día. Sin embargo, comenzar de nuevo en un país distinto le planteó retos inesperados.
Published on: March 30, 2026
Jaalen Banner describes his time at Oakton College as a rollercoaster. His journey has included setbacks, self-doubt and moments of transformation.
Published on: January 20, 2026
When Riya Shah moved from Gujarat, India, she had no idea what college in the U.S. would be like.
Published on: January 16, 2026
When Lema Sharify enrolled at Oakton, she had one clear goal: to become a nurse.
Published on: January 16, 2026
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: 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.