Harper College is closed on Friday, April 18, for Reading Day.
March 17, 2025
The software engineer’s time at Harper College helped him decide to pursue a career in computer engineering, landing him on the ground floor of the modern internet in the ’90s. Read More
March 07, 2025
The constituent services liaison for the office of Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi discusses how his Harper College experience prepared him for apolitical work helping constituents on the newest episode of the Harper Talks alumni podcast. Read More
April 03, 2024
Alumnus Luigi De Matteo discusses emigrating from Italy, learning a new language and culture, and his a determination to succeed by taking advantage of all educational opportunities available. He joins Harper Talks to discuss Harper’ s role in his education, his start at Jewel Osco and longevity with the company, and why mentoring international students is so important to him. Luigi is the District Manager for Jewel Osco, overseeing stores in the northwest suburbs. Listen to Episode 36
March 04, 2024
Dr. Ruth Morales’ road to becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy started with a single anatomy class at Harper College. From teen mom to Harper Honors Program to graduating with honors from Northwestern University’s esteemed physical therapy program, Dr. Morales shares her inspiring journey on Harper Talks. Listen to Episode 35
February 06, 2024
Harper Talks welcomes alumna Carrie Fullerton, Executive Director of the Arlington Heights Park District. Carrie discusses her extensive career in parks and rec, leading one of the largest park districts in the state of Illinois, and what she’s doing to help mentor the next generation of female leaders in the field. Listen to Episode 34
January 06, 2024
Jenn Mepham, the 2023 Outstanding Recent Alumna, joins Harper Talks and shares insight into her career as the System Simulation Education Specialist for Advocate Health system. Jenn talks about training nurses for all types of medical scenarios through simulation and what it was like pivoting to an unexpected role during the COVID-19 Pandemic. She earned her Bachelor of Applied Science in Biology from ISU in 2011, her Associate Degree in Nursing from Harper College in 2014, and her Master of Science in Nursing from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2019. Listen to Episode 33
November 02, 2023
2023 Harper College Distinguished Alumna Kari-Ann Ryan joins Harper Talks and discusses the journey to receiving her degrees, her role as Director of Marketing and Development at Mid-West Moving and Storage, building relationships in the community, and her proactive volunteerism that’s transforming lives. Listen to Episode 32
October 01, 2023
Alumna Nicole Buchanan joins Harper Talks and discusses working her way up during her career which began at 15 years old at a McDonald’s restaurant to ultimately becoming Vice President, Operations with Bear Family Restaurants, which owns and operates 35 McDonald’s restaurants in the suburbs. Nicole talks about the Harper/Bear Restaurant partnership, shares about her time at Harper, and at the University of South Carolina. Listen to Episode 31
September 01, 2023
Andy-John Kalkounos is a restaurateur, actor, real estate professional, and currently serving as the Palatine Township Supervisor. Andy-John, a 2010 Distinguished Alumnus of Harper College, joins the podcast and discusses his varied roles, his Greek heritage, his experiences at Harper College as a piano and theater student, and the importance of being present in our lives. Listen to Episode 30
July 10, 2023
Harper alumnus Dr. Justin Harty, Assistant Professor of Social Work at Arizona State University, shares how Harper College was a pivotal starting point for his journey to PhD, his connection with the Harper professors that inspired his path, and his significant work and research in the field of social work focusing on fathers in the foster care system. Dr. Harty is a 2008 Harper College graduate. Listen to Episode 29