Honors Scholar Designees

The Honors Scholar Designation represents the highest distinction available through the Honors Program. It is only awarded to students who have completed 18 credit hours of Honors Courses (including at least one interdisciplinary learning community) while maintaining a G.P.A. of 3.25 or higher. Scroll down to learn more about this exceptional group of students.

+ Abdullah Alobaidi + Deena Bahrami + Noora Bahrami + Ankhiluun Erdene + Beata Geryk + Brittney Jang + Adelle Kelly + Rachel Lee + Ilana Maitino + Ali Mehdi + Dasha Raguimov + Jose Reyna + Eldin Salkic + Ammar Siddiqi + Ligia Veliciu +

My name is Abdullah Alobaidi. I will be receiving my A.A. degree at the end of the Spring 2021 semester and transferring to UI-UC to pursue a double-major in accounting and finance. Growing up in Dubai, UAE, I have always had an interest in business, considering the dramatic effect it had on transforming the UAE from an arid desert to a metropolis of the Middle East. Following my completion of my undergraduate degree, I will either pursue graduate school or, ideally, take a position that requires me to work between the US and the UAE.

Scholarships and Awards: American Dream Scholarship; Oakton Education Foundation Scholarship; Honors Scholar Designation

My name is Brittney Jang, and I received my Associate of Arts in Spring 2021 and am transferring to Elmhurst University. At first, I didn’t enjoy college, because it seemed repetitive and boring. As an International student, it is not always easy to navigate through school, which I believe was a factor into why I didn’t enjoy school. Although it was difficult at first, my Honors courses allowed be to feel more in control of what and how I learned. My favorite Honors class, which I saved for last, was a learning community, Freedom on My Mind: Philosophical and Cultural Responses to Mass Incarceration and Policing. I entered the class already having witnessed unjust encounters with the police, the dehumanization of immigrants, and the limited freedoms available to an incarcerated friend. In this class, I felt that I went above and beyond the expectations I had for myself and others. The Elmhurst-Oakton Honors Transfer Scholarship will enable me to continue my education and career progress toward giving back and providing resources for others in need.

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation; Elmhurst-Oakton Honors Full-Tuition Transfer Scholarship

My name is Rachel Lee. I will be receiving my A.A. degree at the end of the Spring 2021 semester and transferring to Northeastern Illinois University. I will be pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education and I hope to also obtain a certification to teach middle school students which is another age group I am passionate about. Not only do I have interests in topics and research relating to education, but I also am interested in the fields of anthropology, psychology, and sociology. I am immensely grateful that OCC has provided me the learning opportunities to further my knowledge in education, anthropology, psychology, and sociology, especially studying how these disciplines interrelate with each other. The educational experiences have broadened and enhanced my worldview as well as helped me develop the necessary dispositions, philosophies, and practices to eventually teach at a culturally and linguistically diverse school in the future.

Scholarships and Awards: Oakton High School Senior Scholarship; Honors Scholar Designation; TRIO EOA Board of Directors Scholarship; Golden Apple Scholar; ICCTA Paul Simon Essay Contest Oakton Winner; Oakton Honors Public Intellectual Awardee

My name is Jose Antonio Reyna Jr. I am a recent A.S. degree graduate from Oakton Community College, and I'm transferring to Loyola University-Chicago in pursuit of a Bachelors in Molecular Biology. I’m also a military service member attached to the 182nd Airlift Wing for the Air National Guard. My career and passion for the healthcare system has continued to guide me towards becoming an Emergency Physician for both the civilian and military side. With the continued support from Sandy Salas ( my role model and my mom), as well as many loved ones, the possibilities of my future accomplishments become limitless.

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation; Oakton Honors Public Intellectual Award

My name is Dasha Raguimov. I received an Associate of Arts last fall and am transferring to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. I have always had an interest in foreign languages. I have studied Russian, French, Mandarin, Korean, and, of course, Japanese. This spring I also completed my TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) Certificate. At UIUC, I plan to study abroad as a Global Studies major. Once I graduate, I plan to have a career where I live and teach English in various countries.

Scholarships and Awards: Oakton Educational Foundation Honors Scholarship; Honors Scholar Designee; Oakton Honors Global Studies Awardee

My name is Eldin Salkic, and I will be receiving my Associate of Arts and General Studies and will be transferring to Lake Forest College. GO FORESTERS! My plan is to major in Marketing, and minor in Legal Studies. After Lake Forest, I will pursue a Masters in Law. Law has been an interest of mine since high school when I took a Criminal Law class sophomore year. My career goal is to combine my passion for Law and Marketing. I also want to coach high school soccer, helping the future generations of players develop into great soccer players on and off the field. Being in the Honors program here at Oakton has helped me push myself academically and socially as I have met a lot of amazing people who have helped me during these last two years.

Scholarships and Awards: Honors Scholar Designation