Notable Alumni of Oakton College: Shaping Communities and Beyond
Oakton College, committed to fostering a tradition of community, considers every student, past and present, a vital part of the institution. Alumni contributions serve as a powerful endorsement, inspiring further support from major donors, foundations, and corporations. The Oakton College Alumni Ambassador Program exemplifies this commitment, empowering alumni to stay connected, give back, and positively impact current and future students.
Giving Back: The Oakton College Alumni Ambassador Program
The Oakton College Alumni Ambassador Program is a volunteer initiative designed to engage passionate alumni. These ambassadors serve as advocates for the College, sharing their experiences, mentoring students, and strengthening Oakton's community spirit. By volunteering their time and lending their voices, alumni contribute to shaping Oakton’s future and celebrating its legacy. Those interested in becoming Alumni Ambassadors can opt-in by filling out a form.
Celebrating Alumni Achievements
Oakton College recognizes the accomplishments of its alumni through various awards and events. The annual Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony honors outstanding alumni for their contributions to their respective fields and communities.
Recent Recognition of Alumni and Faculty
- Anne Lucietto: Oakton College Engineering Faculty Member Anne Lucietto, Ph.D., MBA, F.SWE., Sr.IEEE, has been recognized by the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) for her exceptional contributions to engineering education, research and workforce development.
- Leslie Van Wolvelear: Oakton Accounting chair and distinguished professor of Accounting, Leslie Van Wolvelear, Ed.D., CPA, CGMA, has been named an Illinois CPA Society Distinguished Service Award recipient.
- Malarie Marquez: Oakton College Senior Student Care Coordinator Malarie Marquez has been recognized by the American Association for Women in Community Colleges (AAWCC) as a member of the Under 40 Class of 2025.
- Bernard Little, Ph.D.: Oakton College Vice President for Student Affairs, Bernard Little, Ph.D., earned a prestigious lifetime achievement award from a prominent higher education professional organization.
Oakton's Commitment to Education and Community
Oakton College's dedication extends beyond its alumni network to encompass current students and the broader community. The college continually launches programs and initiatives designed to enhance educational opportunities and address community needs.
Expanding Educational Opportunities
- Health Careers Education Center (HCEC): Oakton College and Endeavor Health celebrated the grand opening of Oakton’s new Health Careers Education Center (HCEC).
- Research, Innovation, and Creative Engagement (RICE) Center: Oakton College brought a bold vision to life with the launch of the Research, Innovation, and Creative Engagement (RICE) Center.
- Illinois Workforce Empowerment Initiative (WEI) Grant: Oakton College has received a $941,241 Illinois Workforce Empowerment Initiative (WEI) grant renewal to expand career training programs that advance economic mobility for students in high-demand fields.
- Forklift Operator Training Program: Oakton College’s Adult, Continuing Education and Workforce Development department recently launched a new forklift operator training program for students interested in manufacturing careers.
- Baccalaureate Degrees: Governor JB Pritzker announced support for newly proposed legislation-Senate Bill 2482 and House Bill 3717-that would allow Illinois community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees in high-demand fields.
Supporting the Community
- Evanston Healthcare Response Collaborative: Oakton proudly celebrated the recognition of the Evanston Healthcare Response Collaborative as the recipient of the prestigious Evanston Chamber of Commerce Catalyst Award, presented by Northwestern University leadership and the Mayor of Evanston.
A History of Growth and Innovation
Founded on a commitment to education, Oakton College has a rich history of growth and innovation.
Read also: Oakton College Fees
From Humble Beginnings to Modern Campuses
In 1974, to accommodate its growing student body, Oakton purchased 170 acres of land between the Des Plaines River and a county forest preserve. Today, this scenic campus at 1600 East Golf Road sits in a forest preserve and includes a 435,840-square-foot main building and a 7,300-square-foot grounds maintenance building. That main building houses a 9,500-square-foot gymnasium, a performing arts center with a 285-seat theater, the Koehnline Museum of Art and a Fitness Center.
In 1980, the same year the Des Plaines campus opened, Oakton opened its "East Campus" in a former high school in Skokie. Currently situated on 21 acres at 7701 North Lincoln Avenue, the Skokie campus is home to 34 classrooms, 34 labs, 86 offices and the Early Childhood Demonstration Center.
Embracing Technology and Online Education
As new technology emerged and allowed new ways of learning, Oakton embraced innovation and began offering a digital campus for students seeking an online education. The College quickly developed a wide range of innovative online courses to serve the needs of an increasingly diverse student body. Our experience in the digital field and willingness to innovate also allowed Oakton to effectively move classes online to protect student, faculty and community health during the COVID-19 epidemic.
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Oakton continues to innovate, expand and improve. The college is guided by the same commitment to education that it was founded on, and its vision for the future is defined by the "Vision 2030: Building Just and Thriving Communities" strategic plan.
Exploring Arts and Culture
Oakton College enriches the community through various artistic and cultural offerings.
Read also: A Guide to Oakton's Student Portal
Koehnline Museum of Art
Oakton College's Koehnline Museum of Art hosts compelling exhibitions exploring contemporary issues, artistic identity, and spiritual inquiry. These exhibitions are free and open to the public. In 2019, Oakton celebrated its 50th anniversary with a series of events throughout the year, including an exhibition at the Koehnline Museum of Art.
Performing Arts
Oakton College offers a diverse lineup of theater, music, and student performances. The College invites community members, students, and alumni to participate in these productions.
Notable Campus Features
Oakton College boasts several notable features on its campuses.
Des Plaines Campus
The Des Plaines campus includes the Margaret Burke Lee Science and Health Careers Center, named for the College's third president. The Lee Center is home to the Divisions of STEM and Health Careers and houses the College’s anatomy, biology, chemistry, earth science, medical laboratory technology, nursing, physical therapy assistant, physiology and physics programs.
Skokie Campus
The Pavilion’s architect, Ross Barney, earned a “citation of merit” in the Distinguished Building category from the Chicago chapter of the American Institute of Architects. A $75,000 Illinois Clean Energy Fuel Foundation grant enabled the firm to incorporate numerous energy-efficient features into the Pavilion design.
Read also: Oakton Community College Summer
tags: #oakton #college #notable #alumni #list
