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Meet the Admissions Team

Nicci Cisarik De Jesus
Director, Admissions Outreach
admissions@harpercollege.edu
847.925.6700

Background: I attended Dominican University where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Photography and Painting/Drawing. I continued my education at Indiana State University where I graduated with a Master of Science in Student Affairs and Higher Education. I have 10+ years of experience working in higher education, 8 of which were spent working in admissions and enrollment management at a Chicagoland community college.

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Alejandro Mendoza
Operations Manager
amendoza@harpercollege.edu
847.925.6976

Additional Language: Spanish

Background: I graduated from Elk Grove High School and began my college journey at Harper College, where I obtained the Associate of Arts and Associate in Science degrees with a focus in Business Administration.  I transferred to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where I completed a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.  I earned a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from Loyola University Chicago.

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Reyna Espinoza
Adult Engagement Specialist
Respinoz@harpercollege.edu
847.925.6909

Additional Language: Spanish

Background: I am a former community college student and worked in the admission office at Oakton Community College for 3 years as a Student Ambassador. After I graduated from Oakton with my associates degree, I transferred to Northeastern Illinois university where I earned my bachelor’s degree. I am currently in the process of earning my master’s in Higher Education through NEIU’s ENLACE (Engaging Latinx Communities for Education) program.

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Mark McPherrin
Senior Admissions Specialist - Adult Students
mmcpherr@harpercollege.edu
847.925.6112

Background: I completed my undergraduate and master’s degrees in history from U.I.C. The favorite part of my job is talking with students and learning about their experiences, plans and challenges, and helping them on their personal journey.

Point of contact for:

• Apprenticeship
• Fast Track
• Military Students
• Undecided Students

Serves the following areas of interest:

• Art, Design, and Performing Arts
• Business, Entrepreneurship, and Information Technology
• Manufacturing and Construction
• Public Service
• Education
• Engineering, Math, and Computer Science
• Liberal Arts, Language, and Communication
• Physical and Life Science
• Social Science

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Ela Jakubczak
Admissions Specialist - Adult Students
je38427@harpercollege.edu
847.925.6106

Additional Language: Polish 

Background: I earned my Associate Degree at City Colleges of Chicago and completed a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Northeastern Illinois University. I have been working with community college students for almost 10 years. I love helping students on their journey to achieve their dreams.  

Point of contact for:

• English Second Language (ESL) Students
• International Students
• Students at Large

Serves the following areas of interest:

• Education
• Engineering, Math, and Computer Science
• Liberal Arts, Language, and Communication
• Physical and Life Science
• Social Science

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Aline Leipprandt
Admissions Specialist - Adult Students
la22530@harpercollege.edu
847.925.6940

Additional Language: Portuguese

Background: I started my academic journey at Harper College as an international student in the English Second Language (ESL) program. I completed the Associate of Arts degree and I am now pursuing my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Northern Illinois University, through the University Center partnership with Harper College. My positive experience at Harper has been helping me to achieve my educational goals in the United States.

Serves the following area of interest:

• Health Science

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Jalen Little
Admissions Specialist - High School
jlittle@harpercollege.edu
847.925.6156

Background: I am a Schaumburg High School and Harper College Alumni. I completed the associates of arts degree at Harper College. I transferred to Southern Illinois university - Carbondale and completed my bachelor's degree in Audio Engineering and Broadcast journalism with a minor in sociology. I'm passionate about helping others to pursue their goals and better their lives. 

Point of contact for: 

• District 220 and 214

Serves the following high schools:

• Barrington High School
• Buffalo Grove High School
• Elk Grove High School
• Hersey High School
• Hoffman Estates High School
• Palatine High School
• Rolling Meadows High School
• Wheeling High School

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Sarah Meyer
Admissions Specialist - High School
ms15692@harpercollege.edu
847.925.6751

Background:I began my college journey at McHenry County College, where I earned my associate degree. After I graduated, I transferred to Northern Illinois University (NIU) to complete my bachelor's degree. I am also in the process of earning my master’s degree in higher education and student affairs at NIU. I am passionate about helping students discover the many educational and career pathways that community colleges provide.  

Point of contact for:  

• District 211

Serves the following high schools:

• Conant High School
• Fremd High School
• Schaumburg High School
• Prospect High School

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Thalia Garcia
Receptionist
gt16396@harpercollege.edu
847.925.6700

Additional Language: Spanish

Background: I am a current Harper student in the process of completing my associates degree. After I complete my associates, I hope to continue at Harper and earn my bachelors through one of the University Center’s partnership programs.