Faculty's involvement in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts are invaluable and necessary for institutional transformation and student success. Several of Harper College's faculty members from various disciplines voluntarily host office hours at the Cultural Center to build stronger connections with students, colleagues and staff. These faculty members are often willing to tutor any Harper student (within their particular discipline) regardless of students' enrollment status in their courses. Students are welcome to schedule appointments directly with faculty members or come as needed when faculty members are present!
If you are a faculty member and are interested in hosting office hours at the Cultural Center, please email Professor Gerardo Cruz at
gcruz@harpercollege.eduso you can be added to the schedule!
Isaiah Carrington, M.S.
LEAD Faculty Fellow: Speech and Communications Department
ci12612@harpercollege.edu
Hello! My name is Isaiah Carrington. I have worked at Harper since August 2023 as one of the LEAD Faculty Fellows. I teach in the Speech department and also help coach the speech team at Harper. One of the core tenets of my classroom is “progress over achievement”. I hope that students find an appreciation for the learning process and strive to grow over the course of the semester.
In my “free” time, I volunteer with youth leaders, am a motivational speaker and a nationally ranked powerlifter.
Karega Cooper, M.S.
Associate Professor: Mathematics Department
kcooper@harpercollege.edu
Hi everyone! My name is Karega Cooper and I’ve been teaching math at Harper for over 14 years. I enjoy teaching mathematics mostly because I get to share the results of thousands of years of human reasoning with numbers.
I hope students enrolled at Harper take away a desire to question and seek answers and try to make every space they leave much better than they found it. One encouraging piece of advice I like to share with students is that your first attempts might be your worst attempts, but if you keep trying, you will improve– so keep pushing! Lastly, a fun fact about me, I’m from Atlanta, and during the lead-up to the 1996 Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, the state of Georgia created the “Georgia Games” (an Olympic-style multi-sport competition for the entire state of GA), and I am a Gold Medalist of the 1994 Georgia Games.
Amaziah Z. Finley, Ph.D.
LEAD Faculty Fellow: Anthropology Department
fa17019@harpercollege.edu
Hello there! I am a professor of anthropology at Harper, and I have been teaching here since the fall of 2023. I am passionate about the study of people and their cultures. Anthropology comes from the Greek words "anthropos" meaning humankind and "logos" meaning study. As humans, we are constantly evolving, and culture plays a crucial role in shaping our lives. I hope to inspire my students to strive for meaningful change and to understand their power to influence others positively.
Zora Neale Hurston once said, "Sometimes I feel discriminated against, but it does not make me angry. It merely astonishes me. How can anyone deny themselves the pleasure of my company? It's beyond me." Let us take inspiration from her words and not be bogged down by preconceived notions. We should feel sorry for those who judge us based on our appearance, for they miss out on the pleasure of our company. We should keep taking up space and make our voices heard.
Lastly, I am an avid reader and writer. I love books, and I would be thrilled to discuss them with anyone who shares my passion!
Nicole Mancha, M.S.
LEAD Faculty Fellow: English Department
mn35524@harpercollege.edu
Hello! I have worked at Harper since August 2023 as one of the LEAD Faculty Fellows in the English Department. I love teaching English because there is a wonderful connection that we make as people to words being strung together. From music to books to television, there are people who created the words behind each of them that we connect to.
Teaching English allows me to show my students how to connect to their authentic voices and create some fantastic work. I hope students learn how to express and advocate for themselves during their time at Harper. It is important for students to have the space to learn about what they need to succeed as individuals and that we are here to support them in their academic journeys.
Always remember, "Progress, not perfection"; every day you study, practice, train, etc., you will continue to get better. It isn't about being perfect. It is about continually working toward progress. One fun fact about me is that I actually have my bachelor's degree in Anthropology, and, during that time, I went on both a bioarchaeology in Greece and a historical dig in the Bahamas. I use both of my experiences here to write my own stories.
Kathleen Reynolds, M.A.
Associate Professor: ESL/Linguistics Department
kreynold@harpercollege.edu
Hi! I have worked at Harper College since 2010. I love to teach writing because it is very useful for any major or career, and students can find their voice and express themselves through writing. My hope is that students enrolled in my courses feel empowered to reach whatever goals they set for themselves-- to decide for themselves what is the next best step for them.
I hope students also learn how to participate in and be a part of a diverse global community where everyone's gifts are valued. Life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful (substitute "writing" or "English" for life and this also applies to my subject areas!) I am a big fan of soccer, especially women's soccer--from the US national team to the Chicago Red Stars to my daughter's team, Palatine Celtic.
Janette Roy, Ph.D., CMP, CTA
Assistant Professor & Program Coordinator: Hospitality Management
jroy@harpercollege.edu
Hello everyone, I started teaching at Harper in Fall 2020 as an Adjunct, now I serve as Assistant Professor, and Program Coordinator for the Hospitality Management Department.
I spent 20 plus years working in several sectors of the industry and I love sharing those experiences with my students. I teach all nine of the hospitality management classes. My favorites are Introduction to Hospitality and Hotel Operations Analysis. That’s where I started my career many moons ago. I hope students discover that “the world is vast, and Harper has many of the tools to get you ready for the next chapter. Explore all the educational opportunities that you are curious about. Grow intellectually, emotionally and enjoy your college experience.” Remember to sow positive seeds and watch yourself grow! I am taking piano lessons. I have always wanted to learn how to play. Why not now?
Bethanie-Michelle Statler, M.S.
Instructor: Biology Department
bstatler@harpercollege.edu
Hello, I have worked at Harper for four years. My favorite concept in biology is how small changes in microscopic molecules, like DNA and proteins, can have life-altering effects on an organism.
I hope that students learn about themselves at Harper, such as recognizing the subjects that interest them most, or realizing an innate skill, or becoming more self-aware about their potential to impact society. I encourage students to learn from their mistakes, or they will continue to make them. In my "free" time, I like to create biology-centered music, and I have an active YouTube channel.
Edmir Wade, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor: Chemistry Department
we13953@harpercollege.edu
Hi, I am Dr. Edmir Wade. I have been a Chemistry faculty member at Harper since 2022. I enjoy teaching chemistry because it explains life at a fundamental level; it demonstrates the delicate balance that exists between all the chemical processes that are a part of everyday life. It is rewarding to make and share those connections with students.
At the end of my course, I hope students will have learned that any information or opinion they receive is only as good as its source; question everything! I encourage my students to challenge their frame of reference — there is no winning or losing; there is only winning and learning! Fun fact about me, I have participated in a couple of triathlons, half marathons and 4 Tough Mudders; I enjoy these types of events!