Harper College

2026 News & Stories

 

Dr. Proctor Economic Impact Study

Harper College fuels regional economy, study shows

Illinois community colleges generate $27.2 billion in impact and support more than 324,000 jobs statewide. Read More

Bill Kelley Avis Proctor

Illinois is closer than ever to expanding access to bachelor’s degrees. Now we must finish the job.

To celebrate Community College Month, Dr. Avis Proctor, Harper College president, and Bill Kelley, chair of the Harper College Board of Trustees, highlight the importance of legislation that would bring bachelor’s degrees within reach of more Illinois residents. Read More

AACC 2026 Award

Harper honored nationally for exemplary leadership partnership

Harper College earned the Exemplary CEO/Board Relationship Award from the American Association of Community Colleges on April 13. Read More

Emergency Services Training Center opens

Harper opens Emergency Services Training Center, expanding hands-on training for first responders

The state-of-the-art center will be home to Harper College’s new Fire Academy, delivering immersive training for students and career firefighters. Read More

Serving 2030 students by year 2030

Charting a bold path forward: Harper College Educational Foundation presents strategic vision for 2026-2030

Following the record-breaking success of the INSPIRE Campaign, which raised more than $33 million and established 75 new scholarships, the foundation unveiled its new strategic framework. Read More

Bernie Bluestein is awarded an honorary degree by Dr. Avis Proctor, president

Remembering Bernie Bluestein: Harper student and WWII hero passes away at 102

For more than 35 years, Bluestein was a fixture at Harper College, often working alongside students decades younger than him in the sculpture studio that now bears his name. Read More

Harper Talks Maham Khan

From uncertainty to finding her voice: Alumna Maham Khan shares her story on Harper Talks

The latest episode of Harper College’s alumni podcast highlights the Harper communications professor’s path from student to storyteller. Read More

Jen White-Johnson

Harper to host Disability Symposium on disability justice in action

This year’s event at Harper College will discuss moving beyond mandates to embracing disability culture and advocacy. Read More

Board of Trustees Bijal Chaturvedi

Harper College Board of Trustees appoints Dr. Bijal Chaturvedi to fill vacancy

Chaturvedi was selected after the board reviewed 24 applications and conducted interviews with candidates to fill the vacancy created by the January resignation of Trustee Emeritus Diane Hill. Read More

Edith Mugisha works in the Harper Grows Community Garden

From soil to service: Harper student gives back through the Harper Grows garden

After receiving help from Harper College’s Hawks Care Resource Center, nursing student Edith Mugisha began volunteering in the campus garden that supplies fresh produce to students seeking food support. Read More

Last Updated: 3/23/26