The Harper College Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Bijal Chaturvedi to fill a vacancy on the board during a Special Board of Trustees Workshop on March 11.
Chaturvedi was selected after the Board of Trustees reviewed 24 applications and conducted interviews with candidates to fill the vacancy created by the January resignation of Trustee Emeritus Diane Hill.
“Dr. Chaturvedi brings a strong record of leadership, service and commitment to student success,” Board Chair Bill Kelley said. “Her connection to Harper as a former student, along with her experience in health care, higher education and community service, will be valuable as the board continues its work supporting the college’s mission and the students we serve.”
Chaturvedi will serve through the April 2027 board meeting and will be succeeded by the individual elected in the April 6, 2027, election. She is eligible to run for the seat in that election.
Chaturvedi is a Harper alumna who attended the college as a high school student and later worked as a clinical instructor for Harper’s nursing program. As a first-generation immigrant and the first in her family to attend college, her educational journey reflects her commitment to expanding access to higher education and opportunity for others.
“I’m honored to serve Harper College and the community,” Chaturvedi said. “Harper played an important role in my educational journey, and I look forward to supporting the college’s mission and helping ensure students have access to the opportunities they need to succeed.”
Members of the Harper College Board of Trustees welcomed newly appointed trustee Dr.
Bijal Chaturvedi. Pictured (from left) are Trustee Eric Knox, Dr. Avis Proctor, Harper
College president; Board Chair Bill Kelley, Chaturvedi and trustees James Meyer, Pat
Stack, Dr. Nancy Robb and Walt Mundt.
Chaturvedi earned a Bachelor’s degree in cell and structural biology and later a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing, becoming a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthesiologist. She completed a Doctor of Nursing Practice and a Global Health Leadership Certification from Northwestern University. She is currently pursuing an Executive MBA at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and holds a certification in Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare from the MIT Sloan School of Management.
She has practiced anesthesia for more than two decades and is an assistant professor of nurse anesthesia at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. She is also the founder of an anesthesia services corporation serving patients across Illinois.
Chaturvedi has participated in numerous global health medical missions, providing care in underserved communities around the world. She is passionate about advancing healthcare access and advocacy, exploring the role of technology in improving patient care, and giving back through service and education.
In addition to her clinical and academic work, Chaturvedi serves in leadership roles with the Illinois Association of Nurse Anesthesiology and the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology.
Chaturvedi lives in South Barrington with her family and is the mother of three children.