Honors Scholar Degree Designees: 2023-2024

The Honors Scholar Designation represents the highest distinction available through the Honors Program. It is only awarded to students who have completed a minimum of 18 credit hours of Honors Courses, including at least one Honors Core Seminar (an Interdisciplinary Learning Community, Interdisciplinary Lab, or Honors Independent Study) while maintaining a G.P.A. of 3.25 or higher. Scroll down to learn more about this exceptional group of students.

Krysha Adaza + Nicholas Barbera + Caroline Barnett + John Christ + Angellei Cortes + Lydia Jovi Cruz + Jacob Engel + Elisa Joseph + Richard Kim + Breanna Montoya + George Owen + Ignacio Pavon + Maria Sen Vallipparampil + Liz Zamora

Krysha Adaza

My name is Krysha Adaza and I'm elated to be graduating with an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree this Spring. Throughout my academic journey, I've cherished the opportunity to embrace education wholeheartedly. Whether it was investing my semesters or summers at Oakton, I committed myself not only to academic excellence but also to personal growth. As I approach graduation, I deeply appreciate the invaluable experience of being part of the Honors Program community. It's within this supportive and enriching environment that I've discovered more than just education—it's where I found a sense of belonging and inspiration. I will be transferring to Loyola University, Chicago.

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation; Oakton Honors Peace and Social Justice Studies Award; Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship; Loyola University Transfer Trustee Scholarship

Nicholas Barbera

My name is Nicholas Barbera and I graduated from Lyons Township High School in 2023. I've enjoyed a year here at Oakton while living with my Dad and now I am transferring to the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign in Fall 2024. I'm grateful for the opportunities Oakton and the Honors Program have presented me with.

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation

Caroline Barnett

My name is Caroline Barnett and and I’m pursuing an Associate in Applied Science in Medical Laboratory Technology. I will graduate in the Spring of 2025 and transfer to a university the following Fall to complete my Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science. Afterwards, I hope to explore specialties in my field and pursue a graduate degree. I can say with certainty that the work I’ve done in the Honors Program is why I’m studying to become a Medical Laboratory Scientist. One of the first Honors classes I took when I started at Oakton was Microbiology. Getting to do the detective work of finding out what bacteria I’m testing for the “Unknowns Project” and figuring out what bacteria was causing my patient’s illness for my Honors Case Study is what ignited my passion for science and the medical field. One of the most pivotal opportunities given to me by the Honors Program was taking the Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Laboratory Research class. The research I worked on and the skills I learned in this class are ultimately what led to my decision to join the Medical Laboratory Technology Program. Being in the Honors Program has given me the privilege to learn from some of the best professors I’ve gotten to work with. These professors continue to be an inspiration as I further my education. I look forward to starting my career as a Medical Laboratory Scientist and exploring what the field has to offer.

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation; Oakton Honors Health Careers Award

Elisa Joseph

My name is Elisa Joseph. I will be receiving the Associate of Arts in the Accounting/Business Pathway in the Summer of 2024. I plan to transfer to Northeastern Illinois University to complete my Bachelor of Arts degree and become a Certified Public Accountant. As a first-generation college student, I am thankful to be recognized by the Honors program. I was able to explore and apply various topics in my classes such as Women’s and Gender Studies, Ethics, Environmental Science and Composition, Introduction to Sociology, and Contemporary Culture and the Arts. My special gratitude goes to all of my professors for encouraging me to be who I am today and for the wonderful learning experiences. The Honors Program has given me the opportunity to improve my academic knowledge and skills which will have a huge impact for me in the future. 

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation

Richard Kim

My name is Richard Kim, and having graduated with an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree from Oakton in Fall 2023, I plan to transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a degree in Education and Philosophy. My experience with Oakton's honors program has been particularly enriching, allowing for close collaboration with professors and exploring different avenues of thought across numerous disciplines. More importantly, it has gifted me the chance to truly deepen my love for philosophy and explore the depths of my academic potential. Lastly, I would like to give special thanks to Professors Hudis and O’Donnell who have transformed my academic journey and have been role models all throughout.

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation; Oakton Honors Student of the Year Award; Oakton Honors Philosophy Award (2023)

Angellei Cortes

My name is Angellei Cortes and outside of honors classes, my work in the Honors Program has consisted mainly of independent research. I've done work in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies where I learned and created a project about other people who have continued the fight for all aspects of equality. I have done research on hemophilia for an Honors Contract in Biology, which I was interested in because of my work as an EMT! I plan on transferring to North Central College where I will be majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience. However, my true end goal is to become a pediatric critical care Nurse, and I am 100% certain that my work here at Oakton and beyond is what will make me an excellent one.

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation; Oakton Honors Womens, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Award; Peace and Social Justice Studies Concentration; Womens, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Concentration

John Christ

My name is John Christ and I am graduating from Oakton with an A.A. in Spring 2024. I am extremely appreciative of being able to work part time while taking classes; and now, I am excited to continue my academic journey. I am currently debating between attending Loyola University Chicago, or the Northwestern School of Professional Studies. Additionally, this summer, I am hoping to work or get an internship at one of the amazing museums in the Chicagoland area. My preferred choice would be the Art Institute, but I would love the opportunity to work at any of the great museums in the city. My hope is to graduate with a Bachelors in History, with the hopes of pursuing a Juris Doctorate, or even teaching high school Social Studies. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here in the Oakton Honors Program, and I could not be more appreciative of all the amazing professors that I have had the privilege to have during my time here. Thank you all again. 

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation; Oakton Honors Global Studies Award

Lydia Jovi Cruz

My name is Lydia Jovi Cruz and I will graduate from Oakton College in Spring 2024. I am planning to transfer to a four-year institution to study Digital Marketing and Digital Media. From a young age, I always enjoyed creating visuals for various projects, whether through digital or traditional art. Whether I am storytelling, advertising a product, or even promoting an event, I enjoy creating art for such. Coming from a family of Filipinos and Pacific Islanders, I had to go through a lot of trials and tribulations to pursue such a creative path. Luckily I did get the support I needed from my family, friends, and colleagues. Yet what truly jumpstarted my path in digital media was attending Oakton College and being included in the Honors Program at the institution. During my time at Oakton and the Honors program, I was delighted to partake in certain classes such as Environmental Humanities, the Learning Community containing Introduction to Anthropology and Plants and Society, Introduction to Environmental Studies, and also completing some Honors Contracts.

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation; Womens, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Concentration

Jacob Engel

My name is Jacob Engel and I am graduating from Oakton in the spring of 2024, with an Associate in Arts in the Business track. I am transferring to Lake Forest College, and will be studying Business and Psychology. I would like to thank my amazing Honors professors for helping me complete the Honors Scholar Designation. As a first generation college student, I am grateful for all the support I have received throughout my time at Oakton. Oakton Honors was a blast! 

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation

My name is Breanna Montoya. After high school, I took a gap year where I completely fell in love with books and reading. It was from then on that I realized that this was something I wanted to pursue in my future educational and professional career. I completed the Honors Scholars Designation during my first year at Oakton College, hopefully, with this designation, I will be able to transfer to Weinberg School of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern University as an English major. Not only do I appreciate this program for opening up doors and opportunities for me, I also appreciate the level of education that was opened up to me through this program. Not only did the Honors Program stimulate me mentally, but because of the challenges faced, I was able to grow so much more as both a student, and as a person overall.

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation; Oakton Honors English Award

My name is George Owen, My name is George Owen, and I graduated in the fall of 2023 with an Associate of Arts degree with high honors. I returned to Oakton after originally attending in 2018 and have greatly enjoyed the opportunities the Honors Program has offered me. Working had made it difficult to return to higher education, but I was motivated to learn and explore my interests. I was genuinely captivated by the programing, events, and courses available through the program. I was grateful to my professors for their engagement with and facility for teaching their courses. My work at Oakton moved me to engage more with the environment and helped me to define a major I am interested in. I hope to transfer to Northwestern, UIC, or Loyola for Environmental Engineering.

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation; Oakton Honors Humanities Award

Ignacio Pavon

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation; Peace and Social Justice Studies Concentration

Maria Sen Vallipparampil

My name is Maria Sen Vallipparampil and I completed the Honors Designation in my first year at Oakton College. I am looking forward to getting my Associates degree in Biology and transferring to a four-year university—most probably the University of Illinois—to complete my Bachelor's degree in Biology as my Pre-Med. I also intend to minor in Business as well. I am so grateful to be a part of the Honors Program, through which I was able to meet incredible professors and folks. The Honors classes I took were Composition I and II, Womens and Gender Studies, the Learning Community of Social Problems and Elementary Statistics, and I completed an Honors Contract for General Biology I. These classes helped me widen my knowledge, explore various topics, and deepen my learning process, which my present and future selves are thankful for. 

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation; Oakton Honors Scholarship

My name is Liz Zamora. I will be graduating from Oakton in the Spring 2024 semester. I will have completed my Associates in Science along with an Honors Designation and the Environmental Studies Concentration. I plan to transfer to complete my Bachelors degree in Geology. During my time in the Honors Program, I have completed projects such as “The Interconnectedness of Native People and the World of Geology”, “Sustainability Connections” and “Farm to Table: Has a Changing and More Variable Climate Altered Our Farming Practices?” I was also fortunate enough to be a part of the Summer Field Study, which was one of the best experiences of my life — I learned so much and grew so much as a person. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Honors Program. I have made lifelong friends, obtained knowledge I will carry throughout my life, and discovered my passions. My time at Oakton has been valuable and I am incredibly grateful for everyone who has helped me reach this point. I hope to transfer to Utah State in Fall 2024 to pursue a Bachelors of Science degree in Geology

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation; Graff-Stacewicz Public Intellectuals Scholarship; Oakton Honors Public Intellectual Award; Oakton Honors Environmental Studies Concentration Award; Environmental Studies Concentration