Harper College
Harper Stories

Leslie Van Wolvelear, Harper Alum

I was a student at Harper College from August 1981 to May 1983 pursuing an Associate of Arts in Business Administration degree. From there I transferred to the University of Illinois at Chicago to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Accounting degree. These are some of the ways Harper College helped me to succeed: 

  1. I was able to pay my own educational expenses thanks to Harper's low financial burden.
  2. Harper was close to home; I did not have the financial resources to pay room and board, in addition to tuition and books.
  3. Smaller class sizes. 
  4. Approachable faculty.

I returned to Harper as an Adjunct Accounting Instructor from 2000 to 2005. My time at Harper College helped me learn time management, as I was a full-time student and working 25–30 hours per week. I am passionate about the community college model in higher education and currently am employed by Oakton Community College as a Professor of Accounting. Thank you Harper College for helping me complete my general education courses so I could transfer and complete my education!

Last Updated: 3/14/24