Honors Scholar Degree Designees: 2024-2025

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.

John Abregana + Ana Adamadze + Stephanie Adaza + Kenio Antoine + Hannah Cardenas Avila + Emma Batalia + Kate Capilitan + Jonas Ceviker + Kelly Croke + Tehilah David + Jessica de la Rosa + Fatima Elgarawany + Amelia Grzywacz + Giselle Gube + David Jimenez + Brandon Khamharn + Mark Lazo + Lauren Lee + Sophia Maglalang + Franklin Ocaña + Sofija Pjevic + Sokunthida Sear + Aliki Stamati-Chaidaropoulou

John Abregana

My name is John Abregana, and I will be graduating with an Associates of Arts in Business and completing the Honors Scholar Designation in my first year at Oakton. From someone who once didn’t know what an “MLA citation” was to now writing recognized research papers on topics like cognition and ultra-processed foods through Oakton’s Honors Program, I can proudly call myself a scholar. I’m grateful for everything in my life at Oakton—whether it’s creating academic works at our Honors Program, playing as part of our varsity tennis team, or working at our Performing Arts Center—I look forward to expanding this same life in whatever future that awaits me.

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation

Ana Adamadze

My name is Ana Adamadze, and I am a first-generation college student and Honors student majoring in Political Science. As a freshman at Oakton, I am excited to be completing the Honors Scholar Designation. The courses I’ve taken through the Honors Program have been an incredible guide to the new opportunities that I didn’t get a chance to experience in high school. In my Honors Composition I course, I presented during International Educational Week, hosted by the Global Studies Program, where I shared a personal reflection on identity dislocation as a Georgian immigrant. This experience helped me step out of my comfort zone and introduced me to public speaking. In the same semester, I conducted a research project for my Introduction to Political Science course, where I interviewed a former Georgian government official about the country’s political climate in 2024. This semester, I am continuing my academic exploration by researching toxic chemicals in menstrual products for my Honors Composition II class. In addition to my research, I am organizing a fundraiser to provide sustainable, non-toxic menstrual products to the Oakton community. I will continue my studies at Oakton through Spring 2026, after which I plan to transfer to a four-year university to complete my degree.

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

Stephanie Adaza

My name is Stephanie Adaza, and I’m happy to say that I will be graduating with an Associates of Arts (A.A.) degree this Spring. To be part of the Honors Program at Oakton was an incredibly meaningful experience, where I was able to connect with educators and work on an imaginative, genuine form of learning. Especially with the opportunity of Honors Contracts and projects within the Honors Program, I truly felt like I had full creative freedom and expression that was actively cheered on by my professors. I am deeply thankful for the experiences and connections that I had formed at Oakton. I will be transferring to Loyola University Chicago.

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation

Kenio Antoine

My name is Kenio Shirley Lynch Antoine, and I’m originally from Haiti. I moved to the United States to pursue higher education and create a better future for myself and my community. I will be graduating from Oakton in Fall 2025 with my Associate of Arts (AA) degree, completing my studies in just a year and a half through dedication, focus, and determination. Being a part of the Honors Program has been a transformative experience. It has pushed me to grow academically and personally, giving me the chance to dive deeper into challenging topics and develop my skills in writing, research, and leadership. Oakton has provided me with the foundation and confidence I need to take on the next phase of my education. After Oakton, I plan to transfer to a four-year university to earn my Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). I also intend to pursue a minor in French to expand my language skills and improve my ability to work with diverse populations. My long-term goal is to become a Nurse Practitioner or Physician’s Assistant, combining clinical excellence with empathy to deliver high-quality care to those in need. Looking ahead, I also aspire to open my own medical practice and become a healthcare entrepreneur. I want to build a space that centers patient well-being, especially in underserved communities, and lead with a vision that blends healthcare and business innovation. Oakton has been more than just a college — it’s been a launchpad. I’m grateful for the experience and excited to continue pursuing my goals with purpose and passion.

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation; Oakton Honors Scholarship

Jessica de la Rosa

My name is Jessica de la Rosa and I will be graduating this spring with an Associate in Arts degree. I will be transferring and plan to pursue a Bachelors in Art Education, building on a strong academic foundation I have developed here. As a first generation college student, I am grateful for the support and opportunities Oakton College has provided me. The Honors Program has challenged me to reach my full academic potential and intellectual growth. Throughout my time at Oakton, I’ve developed a deep interest in a variety of subjects allowing me to broaden my perspective in meaningful ways.

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation

Leslie Deloya

My name is Leslie Deloya and I completed the Honors Scholar Designation.

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation; Oakton Honors Scholarship

Fatima Elgarawany

My name is Fatima Elgarawany, I will be finishing the Environment Studies Concentration and the Honors Scholar Designation along with graduating with an A.A. in the spring of 2025. I plan on transferring to Lake Forest College in the Fall of 2025, and soon graduate from there with an Environmental Studies degree. My main work within the Honors Program here at Oakton has been in the environmental subject. I have been in a total of two Learning Communities that involve the topic of the environment and also include the topics of climate change, which have greatly impacted how I want to involve myself more within these topics. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity that the Honors Learning Communities give, as it is a wonderful chance to discuss and approach educational content in an interactive way. I have also worked with Professor Lesniak on my Honors Contract Project to educate others about the invasive species: the rusty crayfish. I hope that this educational poster can help spread the word here at Oakton by educating people about not only the rusty crayfish, but also informing people about the problems of other invasive species in our region as well. 

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation; Honors Environmental Studies Award

Amelia Grzywacz

My name is Amelia Grzywacz and I am extremely grateful to be completing the Honors Designation this upcoming Summer after one year of studying at Oakton. I am still pursuing my Associates in Science while pre-majoring in Environmental Studies with plans to transfer in the future. The Honors Program’s offering Honors: Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Lab Research allowed me to explore what it would be like to work in a laboratory setting which was a completely unique academic experience that I will take with me for the rest of my life. I am also looking forward to doing hands on work during the summer field course. With the help of the Honors Program I have grown, not only as a student but as a person too. Thank you Honors!

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation

Giselle Gube

My name is Giselle Gube and I completed the Honors Scholar Designation.

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation

David Jimenez

My name is David Jimenez and I'm proud to be graduating from Oakton with an Associate of Science degree this spring semester! Throughout my two years at this institution, I've enjoyed all the courses I took each semester, especially the Honors courses. I'll always be grateful for the professors who allowed me to pursue my own studies within each course and satisfy those curious urges I had back then. Entering Oakton in the Fall 2023 semester, I didn't expect to have coursework that both kept me engaged in the class and helped me pursue a deeper understanding of a subject, especially in mathematics, a field that's intimately related to my computer science major. After graduation, I'll be transferring to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to continue studying Computer Science and pursue my Bachelor of Science. To end, I'd like to give a special thanks to Professor Paul Bialek, who I've worked with in some shape or form in each of my four semesters here!

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation; Oakton Honors Scholarship; Honors S.T.E.M. Award; Honors Student of the Year Award

Hannah Cardenas Avila

My name is Hannah Cardenas and I will be receiving my Associate of Arts degree (A.A.) from Oakton College in the Summer of 2025. My plan is to transfer to Elmhurst University, in the Fall of 2025, to earn my bachelors in Chemistry with ACS approval, all while being part of the Elmhurst Honors Program. Since I was young, I have always had an affinity towards Science courses, however, my most notable work in Oakton’s Honors Program has been in my Humanities and Religious Studies courses. For instance, in Dr. Townsend’s Honors: Intro to the Study of Religion class I created two ethnographic profiles on two Jewish communities in the Chicagoland area. Thanks to the wide range of honors courses provided at Oakton I was able to explore my interests across a variety of disciplines. I am very proud of myself for earning the Honors Scholar Designation and I will forever cherish being part of such an inclusive, inspiring, and supportive community. As I go on to pursue a higher degree after undergrad, and beyond into my career, I will always be grateful for Oakton’s Honors Program, and its amazing professors, for giving me the courage to push myself and to strive for excellence.

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation; Honors Philosophy Award

Emma Batalia

My name is Emma Batalia and I am excited to be graduating this spring with an Associates in Arts Degree as a Business/Accounting Pre-major. I will be transferring to Illinois State University in the fall to pursue a bachelor's degree in Financial Accounting. Later on, I plan to obtain a masters degree and become a Certified Public Accountant. I will forever be grateful for the time I spent here at Oakton College and the opportunities it gave me. I would like to thank all the wonderful professors I had at Oakton who inspired me to want to learn and encouraged me to never give up on my education. My work in the Honors Program has challenged me and helped me to expand my knowledge and curiosity about the world. Thank you Oakton for everything!

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation

Kate Capilitan

My name is Kate Capilitan. I graduated from Dr. Phillips High School in Florida in 2023 and unexpectedly had to move to Illinois, where I decided to pursue two years here at Oakton. Now, I am confident to say that my time here has largely influenced my character not only academically, but also as an active member of my community. The variety of Honors classes I was able to take allowed me to thoughtfully engage with my peers across many areas of study, but I always saw the links between all of them—reminding me that true learning involves the persistent struggle for peace and equality for all. I hold this advocacy that I learned through the teachings of my professors and my classmates as I aim to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and hopefully continue into Law School. 

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

Jonas Ceviker

My name is Jonas Ceviker, and I'm excited to say that I'll be graduating with both my Associate of Arts (A.A.) and my Associate of Science (A.S.) at the conclusion of this Spring semester. I plan to transfer to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Grainger School of Engineering to earn my Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E.) Truth be told, I came to Oakton insecure in my academic abilities. When I was recommended to the Honors Program by a professor, I felt a sense of faith placed in me. That was when I decided to commit to academics and finally fulfill my dream of working within the STEM field. Coming from a background of academic struggle in traditional class environments, the Honors Program allowed me to have a closer working relationship with my instructors, which has helped me excel academically. It was through my various honors contracts related to mathematical research of the applications of complex functions, as well as my Physics: Mechanics Honors Project, where I constructed a model that could predict the optimal angle for maximum distance of a projectile, that I realized my passion for engineering.  I have finally found my brand of creativity and an outlet for all of my spontaneous ideas, and none of it would have been possible without the Honors Program and the faith that was placed in me by the dedicated faculty at Oakton. Thank you all, it has truly been an honor.

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation

Kelly Croke

My name is Kelly Croke and I am proud to be graduating this spring with an Associate of Arts and I am transferring to pursue my bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with a concentration in History. Working with Oakton’s esteemed professors has been the highlight of my academic journey thus far, engaging in research projects that investigate a range of subjects from Education Policy to Disability Justice. My sincerest gratitude to  Dr. Schuster, Dr. McCartney, Dr. Mehdi, Dr. Deshmukh, Dr. Adele-Marie, and Dr. Townsend for providing me with the resources and support to succeed not only as a student but as a scholar in Oakton’s Honors Program. 

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation

Tehilah David

My name is Tehilah David. I am excited to be graduating with an Associates of Arts (A.A) degree come Fall 2025. My journey at Oakton has been long, having started back in Fall ‘21, but I couldn't be more thankful for the amazing staff and professors who have helped me along the way. I joined the Honors Program later in my time at Oakton, so I am elated to have been given the grace and time to graduate with both the Honors Designation as well as the Environmental Studies Concentration. The Honors Program gave me access to like minded students as well as learning communities which offered a classroom setup that I enjoyed immensely. After Oakton I plan to transfer to a four-year institution to pursue a degree in Museum Studies.

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation

My name is Brandon Khamharn and I am proud to be graduating this Spring with the Honors Scholar Designation. I will be transferring to Lake Forest College to study Pre-Law and obtain my Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. After obtaining my bachelor’s, I plan on applying to the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law, among other law schools. My time spent at Oakton has been a journey of personal and academic growth and I am very proud of being a part of this wonderful community. As a returning college student, Oakton’s Honors Program has allowed me to reach my fullest potential and I am very grateful for all the opportunities that the program has offered me. I would like to thank all of the amazing professors who have guided and inspired me along the way, and a special thank you to Dr. O’Donnell who advised me to participate in the Honors Program.

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation; Honors Social and Behavioral Sciences Award

Mark Lazo

My name is Mark Lazo, and I'm completing my Associate in Arts degree at Oakton. After that, I plan to transfer to a 4-year university (DePaul University) to study Cinematography and Film/Video Production, which has always been my passion for as long as I can remember. I plan to earn my Bachelor's degree in that field. That's not to say I didn't enjoy and appreciate my time at Oakton, however. From just my two semesters of classes here, I've had many experiences with Honors classes, whether it be volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, or being in the community garden, or tapping trees for maple out in the forest. (Did I mention that all of this was within my second semester?) Honors classes have really enabled me to go beyond the course content and apply this knowledge into the real world. So far, my experience in Oakton’s Honors Program has been rewarding, and I hope to continue being involved with Honors classes as I go forward to finishing my Associate in Arts!

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation

Lauren Lee

My name is Lauren Lee and I completed the Honors Designation.

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation; Oakton Honors Scholarship

My name is Sophia Maglalang and I completed an Associates of Arts from Oakton. I hope to complete a Bachelors in Marketing when I transfer to DePaul University. I aim to focus mainly in the world of Business, but I also plan on nurturing my love of Philosophy as my minor when I transfer. I've been in the Honors Program for quite some time, and I've always enjoyed its unique atmosphere compared to the traditional college experience. It's not everyday that you can experience more intimate and thorough conversations with your peers, but the Honors program has most definitely opened that door to me and has helped me explore more about myself along the path. It's truly been a delightful journey being in the program.

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation

Franklin Ocaña

My name is Franklin Ocaña and I completed the Honors Scholar Designation.

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation

Sofija Pjevic

My name is Sofija Pjevic and I completed the Honors Scholar Designation.

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation

Sokunthida Sear

My name is Sokunthida Sear. I'm glad to be graduating with an Associate of Arts in the Spring of 2025. I plan to transfer to the University of Illinois at Chicago to finish my Bachelor degree in Biochemistry. During my time at Oakton, I’ve grown both personally and academically. From building deep understanding and knowledge across various subjects or making lifelong friendships and exploring new opportunities, Oakton has been one of the best chapters in my life. Moreover, being a part of the Honors Program has further expanded my perspective and given me great opportunities to learn from and with the brightest minds at Oakton. The Honors Learning Community has challenged me to engage in critical thinking and thoughtful discussion. The Honors Interdisciplinary Research Labs has given valuable hands-on lab and research experience that would not be possible in normal classes. I’m grateful for all the opportunities that came with the Honors Program and I’m confident that all I learned from this experience will have a great impact on my future endeavors.

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation

Aliki Stamati-Chaidaropoulou

My name is Aliki Stamati and I completed my Associates in Science at Oakton and transferred to the University of Illinois at Chicago to study Biological Sciences in Spring 2025. During my time at Oakton, I have gotten to explore many honors courses that integrate the sciences and humanities and have gotten valuable work experience working as a Biology Lab Aide. I have taken various Honors courses at Oakton including, Honors Composition l, Environmental Science, and Human Genetics, as well as the Honors field study hybrid course that combined Native American Literature and Survey of Ecology. By learning about environmental science issues, health equity, and agricultural systems in my Honors curriculum, I feel that I've grown more passionate about the interconnectedness of human health, food, microbes and climate change. In the next couple years of my college career, I hope I can get more experience in Microbiology and Genetics through academic courses and internships in the STEM field. 

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation; Honors S.T.E.M. Award (2024)