2025 News and Events

Help Fight Hunger at Oakton College Empty Bowls Fundraiser

Published on November 26, 2025

With increased demand at local food pantries, there’s never been a better time to give back. Read More on Help Fight Hunger at...

Oakton Administrator Honored by NAACP Evanston/North Shore Branch

Published on November 17, 2025

By day, Ella Whitehead is a driving force behind expanding educational opportunity and ensuring every student can thrive at Oakton College. Read More on Oakton Administrator Honored by...

Oakton Staff Member Joins 2025 AAWCC Under 40 Class

Published on November 12, 2025

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. Read More on Oakton Staff Member Joins...

Oakton VP of Student Affairs Honored for Lifetime of Service

Published on November 4, 2025

Oakton College Vice President for Student Affairs, Bernard Little, Ph.D., earned a prestigious lifetime achievement award from a prominent higher education professional organization. Read More on Oakton VP of Student...

Aspen Institute Names Oakton a Top 200 Community College

Published on October 31, 2025

Oakton College has been recognized by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program as one of 200 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. Read More on Aspen Institute Names Oakton...

Oakton Faculty Member Recognized by the Society of Women Engineers

Published on October 27, 2025

Des Plaines, Ill. (Oct. 27, 2025) — 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. Read More on Oakton Faculty Member Recognized...

Oakton Celebrates Evanston Chamber of Commerce Catalyst Award

Published on October 20, 2025

Evanston, Ill. (Oct. 20, 2025) – 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. Read More on Oakton Celebrates Evanston Chamber...

Oakton Professor Receives Statewide Accounting Award

Published on September 29, 2025

Oakton Accounting chair and distinguished professor of Accounting, Leslie Van Wolvelear, Ed.D., CPA, CGMA, has been named a 2025 Illinois CPA Society Distinguished Service Award recipient. Read More on Oakton Professor Receives Statewide...

From Social Justice to Spiritual Inquiry: Fall Exhibitions at Oakton’s Koehnline Museum of Art

Published on September 22, 2025

This fall, Oakton College’s Koehnline Museum of Art will present three compelling exhibitions exploring contemporary issues, artistic identity and spiritual inquiry. All exhibitions are free and open to the public. Read More on From Social Justice to...

Oakton President to Join National Webinar Series on Rebuilding the American Dream

Published on August 27, 2025

Oakton President Joianne L. Smith, Ph.D., will be a featured panelist in ZogoTech’s Rebuilding the American Dream webinar series. Read More on Oakton President to Join...

Curtain Up: Oakton Unveils Vibrant Fall 2025 Performing Arts Lineup

Published on August 26, 2025

Oakton College invites the community to experience an inspiring lineup of theater, music and student performances this fall. Read More on Curtain Up: Oakton Unveils...

Oakton Announces Fall 2025 Performing Arts Auditions

Published on August 20, 2025

Oakton College is calling all performers — community members, students, and alumni — to take the stage this fall. Audition for “On the Verge or The Geography of Yearning,” the internationally acclaimed Six Piano Ensemble, and the bold, original Midwest-student showcase Play On. Read More on Oakton Announces Fall 2025...

Oakton awarded nearly $2 million to support first-generation, low-income, and students with disabilities through TRIO Student Support Services

Published on August 18, 2025

Oakton College has received a five-year, $1.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to continue serving students through the TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) program. Read More on Oakton awarded nearly $2...

Oakton College to Honor Four Distinguished Alumni, Sept. 11

Published on August 14, 2025

Oakton College celebrates the achievements of four outstanding alumni at its 2025 Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony. The event is free and open to the public. Read More on Oakton College to Honor...

Oakton’s Workforce Empowerment Initiative Receives Nearly $1 Million Grant to Expand High-Impact Training Programs

Published on August 13, 2025

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. Read More on Oakton’s Workforce Empowerment Initiative...

Oakton and Endeavor Health Celebrate Opening of Health Careers Education Center in Evanston

Published on August 6, 2025

Oakton College and Endeavor Health celebrated the grand opening of Oakton’s new Health Careers Education Center (HCEC) today, Aug. 5. Read More on Oakton and Endeavor Health...

Oakton Launches RICE Center to Advance Equity, Innovation, and Undergraduate Research

Published on April 30, 2025

Oakton College brought a bold vision to life with the launch of the Research, Innovation, and Creative Engagement (RICE) Center on April 29. Read More on Oakton Launches RICE Center...

Oakton Hosts Preschool Open House, May 10

Published on April 29, 2025

Oakton College welcomes families to discover its licensed and accredited preschool program. Read More on Oakton Hosts Preschool Open...

Martha Burns Named Chair; Micah J. Eimer, M.D., Seated as Oakton Board Reorganizes

Published on April 23, 2025

The Oakton College Board of Trustees appointed Evanston resident Martha Burns as Chair for a one-year term during its April 22 meeting. Read More on Martha Burns Named Chair;...

Oakton Invites Future Students to Open House, April 12

Published on April 1, 2025

Oakton College invites prospective students and families to its Open House on Saturday, April 12, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., at the Des Plaines campus (1600 E. Golf Road). Explore academic programs, meet faculty and staff, tour campus and connect with the resources you need to reach your goals. Read More on Oakton Invites Future Students...

Oakton Celebrates Earth Month with Events Focused on Nature and Sustainability

Published on March 26, 2025

Oakton College celebrates Earth Month with free events throughout April. Join students, faculty, staff and other community members to connect with nature, explore conservation efforts and appreciate our planet! Read More on Oakton Celebrates Earth Month...

Oakton Selects Bernard Little as New Vice President for Student Affairs

Published on March 20, 2025

Oakton College is pleased to announce the appointment of Bernard Little, Ph.D., as the new vice president for Student Affairs. Read More on Oakton Selects Bernard Little...

Oakton Partners with GYO-IL to Champion Diverse Future Educators and Classroom Representation

Published on March 18, 2025

Oakton College is partnering with Grow Your Own Illinois (GYO-IL) and 21 other institutions for the “We See the Teacher in You” campaign. The initiative supports African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino/a/e, and underrepresented individuals in pursuing careers in education. Read More on Oakton Partners with GYO-IL...

Governor JB Pritzker Announces Support for Community College Baccalaureate Degrees to Strengthen Illinois’ Workforce

Published on February 19, 2025

Today, 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. Read More on Governor JB Pritzker Announces...

Oakton Announces Upcoming Art Exhibits Celebrating Black History, Student Talent and Renowned Artists

Published on February 14, 2025

Experience art, history, and creativity at upcoming exhibits on display at Oakton College's Koehnline Museum of Art, 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines. From powerful Black History Month posters to a student showcase and renowned artists’ works, the free exhibits promise unforgettable experiences for art lovers of all ages and backgrounds. Read More on Oakton Announces Upcoming Art...

Spring 2025 Performing Arts at Oakton: Drama, Music and Inspiration

Published on January 30, 2025

Step into the spotlight with Oakton College’s spring 2025 performing arts lineup, featuring gripping historical dramas, world-class music and vibrant student showcases. Read More on Spring 2025 Performing Arts...

Oakton Honors Black History Month 2025 with Events Highlighting African Americans and Labor

Published on January 17, 2025

Honor Black History Month at Oakton with events – free and open to the public – highlighting this year’s theme, "African Americans and Labor." Read More on Oakton Honors Black History...