• Harper Home
• Get Started
• Meet the Admissions Team

Meet the Admissions Team

Nicci Cisarik De Jesus
Director, Admissions Outreach
Cn29614@harpercollege.edu
847.925.6606

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.

---

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.

---

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.

---

Reshma Valiyapurayil
Admissions Specialist - Adult Students
rvaliyap@harpercollege.edu
847.925.6722

Additional Language: Hindi

Background: An accomplishment I’m particularly proud of is completing my bachelor’s degree as an adult student. I earned my undergraduate degree from Northeastern Illinois University and I am currently pursuing my master’s degree. My favorite role as an Admissions Specialist is to reassure our adult students that ‘it’s never too late to start your educational journey.

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

---

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

---

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

---

Sarah Kirk
Admissions Specialist - High School
skirk@harpercollege.edu
847.925.6947

Background: I am a Schaumburg High School and Harper College Alum. I completed the Associate in Arts degree at Harper. With the support and guidance from my Academic Advisor at Harper, I was able to seamlessly transfer to Illinois State University.

Point of contact for:

• District 211

Serves the following high schools:

• Conant High School
• Fremd High School
• Hoffman Estates High School
• Palatine High School
• Schaumburg High School

---

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 214

Serves the following high schools:

• Buffalo Grove High School
• Elk Grove High School
• Hersey High School
• Prospect High School

---

Imazul Garcia
Admissions Specialist - High School
igarcia@harpercollege.edu
847.925.6751

Additional Language: Spanish

Background: I attended Elgin Community College and completed the Associate in Arts degree. I transferred to Columbia College of Missouri through a partnership program.

Point of contact for:  

• District 220

Serves the following high schools:

• Barrington High School
• Rolling Meadows High School
• Wheeling High School
• All Other High Schools 

---

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.