2023 News and Events

Oakton College Museum Shows Off Its Gems

Published on December 4, 2023

Don’t miss a chance to see selected works from the Oakton College Koehnline Museum of Art’s permanent collection at the “Gems from the Koehnline” exhibition, Dec. 14 - Jan. 26. Stop by the public reception, Dec. 14, 5-8 p.m. to get a first look and mingle with artists and other community members. Read More

Oakton Joins National Initiative on College Cost Transparency

Published on September 26, 2023

Oakton College has joined the College Cost Transparency Initiative (CCT), a coalition of more than 360 institutions of higher education that have voluntarily committed to follow a set of principles and standards that ensure transparency, clarity and understanding around student financial aid offers. Read More

New Drone Pilot Program Featured in Oakton “Spotlight” Series

Published on September 22, 2023

Over 50 community leaders, including local law enforcement professionals, industry partners, and Oakton College Educational Foundation supporters got an up-close look at how Oakton College is preparing students for careers in public services using modern techniques/technology, Sept. 21. Read More

Oakton Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

Published on September 15, 2023

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 - Oct. 15), also known as Latinx Heritage Month, at Oakton College. Attend upcoming Latinx Heritage Month events, which are free and open to the public, to learn more about the Latinx community and support local Latinx food vendors and business owners. Read More

Oakton Announces 2023 Distinguished Alumni Awardees

Published on September 15, 2023

Celebrate four accomplished Oakton College alums at the Distinguished Alumni Awards presentation and reception, Sept. 28, 6 p.m. on Oakton’s Des Plaines Campus. This year’s honorees distinguished themselves with their commitment to building just and thriving communities, which is Oakton’s strategic plan Vision 2030 goal. Read More

Oakton announces 2023-24 Jewish Studies Speaker Series

Published on September 11, 2023

Des Plaines (Sept. 11, 2023) - As the Jewish community prepares to celebrate Rosh Hashanah (Sept. 15 - 17) and Yom Kippur (Sept. 24 - 25) — two of the most important holidays in the Jewish calendar — Oakton College invites community members to the 2023-24 Jewish Studies Speaker Series. The virtual events are free and open to the public, allowing attendees to reflect and learn about Jewish history and culture. Read More

Oakton seeks pianists to audition for Six Piano Ensemble

Published on August 28, 2023

Des Plaines (Aug. 28, 2023) - Are you a pianist seeking a new musical adventure or a community of fellow musicians? Don’t be afraid to take a leap and audition for the Oakton Six Piano Ensemble, Sept. 19-21, at the Des Plaines campus or online. Alternative audition dates are available. Read More

Oakton adopts Neurodiversity Inclusion Statement

Published on August 16, 2023

Oakton College Board of Trustees voted Aug. 15, to approve a Neurodiversity Inclusion Statement, which will guide the College’s efforts in supporting the neurodiverse community and advance the College’s commitment to building just and thriving communities. Read More

Oakton art professors exhibit at the Korean Cultural Center of Chicago

Published on August 15, 2023

Des Plaines (Aug. 15, 2023) - View new artwork from longtime Oakton College art professors and local residents Moritz Kellerman, Arlington Heights, and Mark Palmeri, Des Plaines, at the Korean Cultural Center of Chicago exhibition – free and open to the public – Sept. 2-28. Meet the artists at the opening reception Sept. 2, 5-7 p.m. Read More

Oakton celebrates paramedic certificate recipients, ready to serve community

Published on June 27, 2023

Des Plaines, Ill. (June 27, 2023) - This year’s Oakton College paramedic certificate recipients have much to celebrate, as 18 of 21 students have already accepted conditional job offers while waiting for their Illinois Department of Public Health paramedics license. Oakton partners with Advocate Lutheran General Hospital (ALGH) to facilitate the Emergency Medical Technician–Paramedic Certificate program, and together recognized the 2023 class at a graduation ceremony at Oakton’s Des Plaines campus, June 21. Read More

Oakton students head to Ghana for unique learning experience

Published on June 5, 2023

Trinton Jones, an Evanston resident, is one of four Oakton students heading to the West African nation for a three-plus week journey, broadening their horizons and growing personally and professionally through immersion in Ghana's unique culture. Read More

Consuelo Moreno

Published on May 9, 2023

After a 30-year break from school in which she moved to the U.S. and raised two daughters, Consuelo Moreno decided it was time to earn her high school diploma. She heard from a friend that Oakton offers high school equivalency preparation courses in Spanish. And now, a year later, she’s preparing to take the stage as the high school equivalency speaker at Oakton’s 2023 commencement ceremony. Read More

Faheem Memon

Published on May 4, 2023

Faheem Memon ’11 is an Oakton alum, a reliability engineer at Lockheed Martin, and someone who “followed his bliss” all the way to working on NASA Orion’s Artemis Project. After a ten-year career in the aviation, mining, gas and oil industries, his education and experiences prepared him for this role – the pinnacle of his career. Memon credits his start at Oakton, the freedom to explore his interests and the lifelong friendships built here as a catalyst for his success. Read More

Oakton’s art exhibit bridges science and art, May 11 - June 29

Published on May 1, 2023

Get together with family and friends for an immersive experience at Oakton College’s new art exhibit “Cyclical Nature of Emergence,” featuring Julie Rotblatt-Amrany’s multi-media installations bridging science and art while pondering the purpose of humankind. Read More

Zarina Sayed

Published on May 1, 2023

The saying goes: “Success is when preparation meets opportunity.” Zarina Sayed, an Oakton Women’s Tennis player and upcoming competitor in the NJCAA Division I Women's Tennis National Championship Tournament, would agree and amend the saying slightly. Read More

Oakton hosts over 30 local organizations to assess neurodiversity needs

Published on April 24, 2023

Skokie, Ill. (April 24, 2023) – Oakton College brought together over 30 local organizations to discuss resources and ways organizations can partner to support the neurodiverse community. The Neurodiversity Resources in our Community event took place at Oakton’s Skokie campus on April 21. Read More

Oakton hosts 150+ teens for Ponte Pilas Teen Summit

Published on April 19, 2023

Des Plaines, Ill. (April 18, 2023) – More than 150 students from four local high schools participated in the Ponte Pilas Teen Summit at Oakton College on April 18. The annual event introduces Latino/a/x juniors and seniors to Oakton and provides an opportunity to learn about post-secondary education and the transition from high school to college. Read More

Oakton Foundation Spotlights Manufacturing Programs

Published on April 12, 2023

Community leaders, industry partners and Oakton College Educational Foundation supporters got an up-close look at how Oakton College prepares students to meet the local manufacturing industry’s workforce needs during a special event Monday, April 10. Read More

Oakton’s Early Childhood Center hosts open house, April 29

Published on April 11, 2023

Des Plaines, Ill. (April 11, 2023) – Are you looking for high-quality care in an enriching environment for your preschool child? Check out the Oakton College Early Childhood Center at Oakton’s Skokie campus during an open house on Saturday, April 29, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., to learn about Oakton’s licensed and accredited preschool programs for children ages 3-5. Read More

Oakton’s April events include Six Piano Ensemble; Next to Normal

Published on April 3, 2023

Des Plaines, Ill. (April 3, 2023) – Mark your calendar now and get your tickets before they sell out for “Next to Normal,” a rock musical about a suburban family struggling with mental illness, and Oakton’s Six Piano Ensemble, one of the unique musical groups in the world. Read More

Sheena Benson

Published on March 30, 2023

When Sheena decided it was time to make a change in her life, she knew the first step would be going back to school. Oakton provides a supportive environment where she is pursuing her goal to become a middle school counselor. Read More

Oakton professor wins Jeff Award

Published on March 30, 2023

Oakton College Professor Tina Fakhrid-Deen is the recipient of the prestigious 2023 Jeff Award for her play, “Pulled Punches” — Ma’at Production Association of Afrikan Centered Theatre (MPAACT). “Pulled Punches” was awarded in the New Work, Non-Equity theater category. Read More

Oakton announces Earth Month events

Published on March 29, 2023

Des Plaines, Ill. (March 29, 2023) – Bring your friends, family, and neighbors to celebrate Earth Month with Oakton College. Through a series of interactive events, community members can learn about Oakton’s ecosystem and help re-wild the area to benefit local wildlife. Read More

Oakton relieves nearly $1 million in student debt with remaining COVID relief funds

Published on March 21, 2023

Oakton College is demonstrating its commitments to helping students reach their educational goals and advancing racial equity by using its remaining federal institutional COVID-19 funds to relieve outstanding balances due to the College. Oakton recently allocated about $920,000 to forgive outstanding balances incurred by Oakton students during the pandemic. Read More

Tyson Dean

Published on March 2, 2023

Tyson Dean is a member of the BLACK Student Success Program and the Emory Williams Academy for Black Men. After taking some time off during the pandemic, Tyson decided to come back to Oakton to earn an associate degree. Read More

Oakton announces Women's History Month events

Published on March 1, 2023

Community members are invited to Oakton College Women’s History Month events. In addition to events for students, Oakton is hosting three events – free and open to the public – about the feminist movements in the Global South to honor Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day. Read More

Oakton invites beekeepers to join the community apiary

Published on January 26, 2023

Des Plaines, Ill. (Jan. 26, 2023) – Village of Skokie residents, Oakton College students, local beekeepers and community organizations are invited to host beehives at the new apiary on Oakton College’s Skokie campus. Read More

Oakton announces new Jewish Studies speaker series

Published on January 19, 2023

As International Holocaust Remembrance Day approaches, Oakton’s Jewish Studies program has announced a series of free virtual events — open to the public — to highlight Jewish history and culture and contributions made by Jewish people. Read More

Oakton Community College is now Oakton College

Published on January 17, 2023

Oakton Community College has officially become Oakton College. In addition to the name change — which took effect Jan. 17 — the College unveiled an updated logo and visual identity centered in diversity, inclusion and equity. Read More