Harper College

News & Stories

William Rainey Harper bust

Harper College launches COVID-19 Contact Tracers course

July 02, 2020

Harper College is offering a free, online COVID-19 Contact Tracing course to help meet the anticipated need for contact tracers in the state of Illinois. The 10-hour class starts July 13. Read More

Mercado family on the dance floor at their wedding

Reflecting on two landmark Supreme Court decisions

June 24, 2020

Dr. Claudia Mercado and Monica Meneses share the personal impact on their family of two recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions – one to strike down the administration’s effort to eliminate the DACA program, and the other protecting LGBTQIA+ employees from discrimination. Read More

Gabriela Sanchez taking online courses from home

Harper College students grateful for CARES Act funding

June 23, 2020

Thanks to the federal funding provided by the CARES Act and distributed by Harper College, about 4,400 students have received financial support aimed at helping them to successfully transition to online coursework. Read More

Dr. Avis Proctor

Supreme Court ruling brings hope to DACA recipients

June 18, 2020

Harper College applauds the U.S. Supreme Court's decision continuing DACA. Read More

Nurse Hanan Aquil wearing personal protective equipment

Harper nursing grads working on coronavirus frontlines

June 11, 2020

As you’d imagine, a shift working with coronavirus patients is completely different than a traditional workday, alumni of Harper College’s nursing program say. “It’s really night and day in terms of how we’re caring for patients,” said Hanan Aquil, a 2016 graduate working at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington. Read More

Bust of William Rainey Harper by Building D on Harper College campus

A message from Dr. Avis Proctor, Harper College president

June 01, 2020

A message from Dr. Avis Proctor on appreciating diverse perspectives and cultures and Harper College's commitment to respecting and honoring the humanity of all people. Read More

Sammi Sandefur stands in her yard

Getting to graduation in a pandemic

May 20, 2020

On the surface, it looked like smooth sailing for University of Iowa-bound Sammi Sandefur, but the final months leading up to graduation were anything but a pleasure cruise. Read More

Raul Vences Torres with his family

Donated emergency funds help fill short-term financial gap for Harper students

May 20, 2020

The ripple effect of COVID-19 impacted not only the way college students learned as they made the rapid transition to online classes, but it tossed them into unanticipated financial instability. Without the immediate support provided by Harper Student Emergency Relief Fund, some students feared losing the roof over their heads. Read More

Harper College graduate Rochelle Washington holds her decorated cap

Harper College graduates honored for their resilience in virtual commencement ceremony

May 17, 2020

Harper College celebrated its Class of 2019-2020 in a virtual commencement ceremony that lauded graduates for their resilience and underscored the importance of connectedness. Read More

Harper College's Jazz Ensemble performs virtually

Harper Jazz Ensemble entertains with virtual performances

May 13, 2020

When Harper College moved to online classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it effectively canceled the Harper College Jazz Ensemble’s spring concert. So the ensemble's director, Jeff Hedberg, orchestrated virtual performances with musicians playing their individual parts from home. Read More

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Last Updated: 5/13/25