Oakton College

09/11/2026

Two new faces are joining the Oakton College Educational Foundation Board of Directors: Jim Radermacher and Reynold Martin.

Jim's connection to Oakton actually goes back to the College's first year on the Des Plaines campus. Since 2024, he's served on the Foundation's Finance & Investment Committee as a community member, bringing decades of leadership experience with him.

Reynold is Founding and Managing Partner at Percival Oak Advisors, with a track record of mentorship and expanding opportunity for others in the community.

Welcome to the Foundation, Jim and Reynold. We're looking forward to the perspective and expertise you'll bring to the table.

09/08/2026

Opportunity looks different for everyone. 🎬 Whether you're on the field, in the lab, or building your career from home, Oakton students are equipped with the skills and support to go further.

Catch Oakton's newest commercial this October on NBC Channel 5 and on YouTube! Featuring real Oakton students, faculty and staff, this video welcomes you into the Oakton experience — where connecting to opportunity comes to life across our community and campus.

09/04/2026

Last week we hosted a reception for Khursheed Ichhaporia's Vignettes from Mongolia photography exhibition and celebrated Mongolian culture with traditional music and dancing. Thank you to Oakton College Oakton College, the Consulate of Mongolia in Chicago and Glenview School District 34 Multilingual Services for helping to make the event a success.

The exhibit is on display through Tuesday, September 15.

09/03/2026

One year in, and Oakton's Health Careers Education Center is already growing fast!

Enrollment is climbing across cardiac sonography, radiography and surgical technology, including a 140% jump in surgical technology. Our students are stepping into in-demand health care careers, right when our region needs them most.

Located on Endeavor Health's Evanston Hospital campus, the center gives students hands-on training in a real health care setting from day one. This fall, students in all three programs are moving into clinical placements, gaining experience as they prepare to enter the workforce.

With 91% of our 2025 starting class still enrolled, the momentum is holding. The first HCEC graduates walk the stage in spring 2027!

🔗 Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4iEsChc

Discover how Oakton College’s Health Careers Education Center is growing to meet local healthcare needs with high-quality training and clinical placements.

09/02/2026

We asked, they answered 📝 From new friends to fall activities, here's what Oakton is looking forward to this semester. What's on your list? 👇

08/29/2026

Fall Fest at both the Skokie and Des Plaines campuses was two days of good energy, great food, and even better company! 🎉

Thank you to every department, club and campus partner who showed up to welcome students back and make the semester kickoff feel like a celebration.

08/25/2026

We asked our students what sound an owl makes. 🦉 Who do you think nailed it?

08/21/2026

One wipe and Owls are back on campus in full swing. Here’s to a great semester! 🦉💚

08/21/2026

Oakton's new Learning Commons made the cover of Community College Journal, from the American Association of Community Colleges!

The contemporary, student-centered space brings together academic resources and support services into a single, dynamic hub designed to foster collaboration and academic achievement.

"What I love is that we’ve done open houses, but students are finding these spaces on their own," says Dean of Library Jacob Jeremiah. "My dream was making this a place that everyone thought of for whatever they needed. As a community college, we are an open-access institution, but we also want to ensure that we remove any unnecessary barriers to success."

Read the full feature to see how community colleges nationwide are reimagining the library experience: https://bit.ly/4ghWihh

08/20/2026

Crystal Barrera always knew she wanted to work in healthcare. Through Oakton’s Medical Assistant Apprenticeship Program with Northwestern Medicine she turned that dream into a career, combining classroom learning with paid, hands-on experience in real healthcare settings.

Today, Crystal is a full-time medical assistant at Northwestern Medicine, bringing compassion, curiosity and her own lived experience to every patient interaction.

“Just listening to somebody could make their whole day.”

Read Crystal’s story and see how an apprenticeship helped her find her place on a healthcare team.

Crystal Barrera turned a childhood dream into a healthcare career through Oakton's Medical Assistant Apprenticeship. Learn how mentorship and hands-on experience helped her succeed.

08/19/2026

08/17/2026

Whether you've been here over the summer or are checking back in for fall, we're so happy to see you again! Visit events.oakton.edu to stay plugged into Welcome Week activities on campus 📅

08/14/2026

Coffee and espresso drinks now available at Oakton Cafe in Des Plaines! ☕️ Consider this your sign to stop by 👀

08/14/2026

Free ESL classes near you!

Oakton College brings FREE ESL classes into communities throughout our district.

Find ESL opportunities in:
📍 Des Plaines
📍 Skokie
📍 Glenview
📍 Morton Grove
📍 Park Ridge
📍 Niles

Online options may also be available.

Find out more:
www.oakton.edu/freeESL

08/07/2026

For Ryan Lewandowski, earning his nursing degree at Oakton was just the beginning. Today, he cares for patients in the community where he grew up while helping prepare the next generation of nurse anesthetists. “​​That first degree started it all," he said.
Read Ryan's full Oakton Voices https://bit.ly/4fZzpzh