Harper College is closed Friday, July 3, for Independence Day (Observed).
Urooj Ahmed A driven and innovative student at Harper College, Urooj Ahmed is pursuing an associate in engineering science with a passion for leveraging technology to create meaningful change. Inspired by an early curiosity for how things work and a love for hands-on-problem solving, she has designed projects such as a mini-Bluetooth speaker and an interactive digital learning tool for children with disabilities. These experiences strengthened her belief that engineering is not only about building solutions but also about improving lives and expanding opportunities for others.
More than an aspiring engineer, Urooj is a changemaker who believes innovation should be accessible, inclusive, and transformative. She is driven by a desire to solve real world challenges and create opportunities for those who are often overlooked. As an active member of the Honors Program, Phi Theta Kappa, NAACP, and the Women in Science and Engineering club, she is dedicated to academic excellence, inclusivity, and sustainability initiatives.
Motivated to address the underrepresentation of women in engineering, she strives to serve as a role model for young girls pursuing STEM. She plans to transfer to a four-year university to earn a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering and pursue a career developing innovative, accessible technologies and empowering future generations to succeed.
Ruveyda Aydin A dedicated and motivated first-generation college student, Ruveyda Aydin brings resilience, curiosity, and compassion to both her academic and personal pursuits. Ruveyda moved with her family from Turkey to the U.S. five years ago. At Harper College, she is pursuing dual associate degrees in biology and the theatre, reflecting her passion for both science and creative expression. Ruveyda has a goal to transfer to Boston University to continue her studies in biology with a focus on pre-medicine. She is particularly interested in cancer research and patient-centered care and seeks to gain hands-on experience through research opportunities, internships, and her work as a certified clinical medical assistant.
Deeply inspired by her mother’s experience as a breast cancer survivor, she has committed herself to advancing cancer awareness and research. She founded and serves as president of Colleges Against Cancer at Harper, where she leads fundraising efforts, organizes educational events, and supports patients through outreach initiatives. Her leadership extends to mentoring peers, encouraging women to pursue educational opportunities, and advocating for women’s health awareness through social media.
She is also actively involved in the Honors Program, Pre-Med Club, International Students Club, and hospital volunteering, where she provides compassionate support to patients and staff. Ruveyda aspires to build a career in healthcare, combining scientific knowledge with empathy to make a meaningful impact in patients’ lives.
Gisselle Guerrero-AltamiranoGisselle Guerrero-Altamirano is a Marine Corps veteran and mother of two is building a future grounded in resilience, service, and purpose. Raised as the oldest of six children, she developed a strong sense of responsibility early in life—strengthened further by the tragic loss of her father at age 19. Despite hardship, she remained committed to leading through example for her siblings and children.
After graduating high school in 2019, she joined the United States Marine Corps, seeking to challenge herself and achieve something unprecedented in her family. Following her service, she embraced motherhood while rediscovering her drive to pursue higher education—not only for herself, but to inspire her daughters.
Now a teacher’s assistant at Palatine High School, she supports students in the Physical Education department, leads activities, and serves as a translator for non-English-speaking learners, ensuring all students have access to a supportive and inclusive environment. Her work has had a direct impact on students who feel empowered by her presence and guidance.
In addition to her professional achievements, she has a strong record of community service, including volunteering with youth programs, local food pantries, and community resource centers where she assisted families in need.
Currently pursuing an education degree in Physical Education, she plans to continue her education and become a teacher, further expanding her impact on children through a lifelong commitment to service, education, and community empowerment.
Stefanya Lackowski Stefanya Lackowski is a second-year nursing student at Harper College who has built her life around resilience, service, and compassion. A graduate of Schaumburg High School, she was actively involved in the dance team and student council. During her junior year, her father’s cancer diagnosis deeply impacted her path, leading her to defer admission to Marquette University and instead attend Harper College to better support her family.
While balancing full-time work and college coursework, she developed strong time management skills and an exceptional work ethic. Now in her final year of Harper’s nursing program, she works as a Patient Care Technician in both Labor and Delivery and the NICU at Ascension St. Alexius Medical Center, where she discovered her passion for empowering the new moms, and providing care for both mothers and babies in their most vulnerable time.
A committed leader, she serves as a committed leader she currently serves as Vice President of the Student Nurses Association, where she organizes and facilitates wellness events for nursing students and staff, as well as supports her fellow nursing students during this stressful period. She is deeply engaged in community services through various organizations both through her church as well as animal rescue organizations.
She plans to pursue an RN-to-MSN program, travel to service all different communities, and advocate for adoptees, with a lifelong goal of delivering equitable, patient-centered healthcare.
Rushita Thota With roots in an agricultural community in Rayalaseema, India, where educational opportunities for women have historically been limited, Rushita Thota is driven to expand access to opportunity and empower young women through education and technology. In high school, Rushita launched a student-led initiative with ATMIYA to teach coding to girls without access to computer science, mentoring more than 70 students and inspiring future leaders like one student who went on to found her school’s first girls’ coding club.
Now a student in Harper College’s Engineering Pathways Program, Rushita is working toward her associate in engineering science with a focus on computer science, artificial intelligence and machine learning and plans to transfer to the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Her work includes developing EcoSort, an app that uses machine learning to identify compostable waste, demonstrating her commitment to using technology for real-world impact.
Beyond the classroom, she has held multiple leadership roles, founded cultural and service organizations, and contributed to global health and sanitation initiatives. Ultimately, she aspires to build AI-driven healthcare solutions while continuing to expand access to technology education for underserved communities.
Click here to register for the scholarship awards reception.