Des Plaines, Ill. (Nov. 17, 2025) – By day, Ella Whitehead is a driving force behind expanding educational opportunity and ensuring every student can thrive at Oakton College. After hours, she serves as an influential leader across the region, including in roles with the North Shore Section of the National Council of Negro Women, the Skokie Public Library, and the Skokie Community Foundation. For this impactful service, the NAACP Evanston/North Shore Branch honored Whitehead with its 2025 President’s Award.
Whitehead, a Skokie resident, accepted the honor at the Evanston/North Shore Branch’s 61st Annual Freedom Fund Banquet, Nov. 15. Established in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its mission is to secure equality of rights and eliminate race-based discrimination. The President’s Award honors individuals who make significant contributions to advancing equity and opportunity in their communities.
“Ella’s commitment to advancing equity and student empowerment aligns deeply with the mission of Oakton College,” said Joianne L. Smith, Ph.D., Oakton’s president. “Her leadership and work at the College bring us closer to realizing Oakton’s Vision 2030 goal of building just and thriving communities.”
In her role as an Oakton administrator, Whitehead oversees Admissions, Equity Outreach, International Student Services, and the Emory Williams Academy, where her work has strengthened student access, belonging and achievement.
Beyond Oakton, Whitehead is the chartering president of the North Shore Section of the National Council of Negro Women, immediate past president of Oakton’s chapter of the American Association of Women in Community Colleges, and an active member of the Evanston/North Shore NAACP, Skokie Valley Rotary Club, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She also serves on the Skokie Public Library Board and the Skokie Community Foundation Board. Additionally, she volunteers with the Youth Job Center, mentoring young people and helping them develop job-readiness skills.
Whitehead earned a master’s degree in Human Resource Development from Northeastern Illinois University and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. In her studies, she focuses on diversity, equity and access in higher education.
“I’m truly humbled to receive the President’s Award from the Evanston/North Shore Branch of the NAACP,” said Whitehead. “This honor means so much because it reflects the heart of what drives me every day — lifting as we climb, standing up for what’s right, and building a community where everyone is seen, valued, and empowered to thrive.”
For more information about Oakton College’s commitment to building just and thriving communities, visit Oakton’s website.