10 for 10: HOPE Giving Circle celebrates a decade of empowerment with largest scholarship cohort

The Harper College Educational Foundation’s HOPE Giving Circle recently marked its 10th anniversary, honoring a decade of women-led philanthropy by awarding 10 scholarships each worth $10,000. At an event at Harper’s Wojcik Conference Center, HOPE celebrated a decade of empowerment along with the newest – and largest – cohort of scholars.

From its founding in 2016 by a small group of committed women, the HOPE Giving Circle has grown into a vibrant philanthropic community with 46 active members. Through collective giving, the group has now awarded over a half-million dollars to more than 42 students, pairing each recipient with a dedicated mentor.

“Tonight, we celebrate not only 10 exceptional students, but 10 extraordinary years,” said past chair and founding member Kathy Gilmer at the reception. She introduced the new co-chairs, Susan Heitsch and Ella Liberman, who now lead the HOPE Executive Committee.

“HOPE is more than a scholarship,” Heitsch said. “It’s a community, a legacy and a movement to uplift students through education and mentorship.”

The 10 for 10 HOPE Giving Circle Scholarship recipients include:

• Sara Abualreesh, a health sciences student preparing for transfer to the University of Illinois Chicago’s nursing program. She is inspired by a passion for compassionate care and has volunteered with Feed My Starving Children and her local mosque.
• Murtaza Anjarwala, an engineering student with a 4.0 GPA, who balances rigorous STEM coursework with leadership in research and coding societies. He plans to pursue renewable energy or biomedical innovation.
• Devon Freitag, a full-time nursing student and former EMT who draws from personal experience in foster care to advocate for mental health awareness and inclusive care.
• Nour Husseini, a computer science scholar whose academic résumé includes astrophysics research, AI internships and outreach to promote sustainability through tech.
• Adepeju Oyefusi, a working mother of three seeking to become a CPA, who is pursuing a career in accounting to help small businesses and underserved communities thrive.
• Mehak Rizvi, a marketing student and international education advocate from Pakistan, who combines digital strategy with global awareness in her career goals.
• Jaskirat Singh, an aspiring aerospace engineer whose academic excellence is matched by his long-term community service with the Sikh Religious Society.
• Jeremiah Somerville, a liberal arts student, planning to become a constitutional lawyer, who leads with integrity in athletics, debate and social justice initiatives.
• Maria Tovar, a nursing student and active campus leader whose commitment to care was inspired by a family medical crisis and her journey as an immigrant.
• Natalia Vonderheide, a radiologic technology student and mental health advocate who leads outreach programs and plans to contribute to diagnostic medicine and education.

Each student is paired with a HOPE mentor – a signature feature of the program that enhances confidence, career exploration and community engagement. Liberman, who is also a member of the foundation’s board of directors, emphasized the accessibility and impact of HOPE membership.

“With a $1,000 pledge or $250 gift, anyone can join this mission,” she said. “Every dollar goes directly to scholarships – and every member shapes the future.”

To learn more or become a member of the HOPE Giving Circle, visit harpercollege.edu/hope.