Oakton College expanding to Evanston beginning in 2025

Oakton College is opening its first-ever physical presence in Evanston in partnership with NorthShore University Health System to train people to fill long-vacant positions in the medical field, officials said.

Per an agreement approved by Oakton’s Board of Trustees, Oakton College and NorthShore are working to identify a location on the Evanston hospital campus to house a new Oakton College Health Career Education Center, Oakton College officials said.

Starting in 2025, instruction for three new degree pathways for associates of applied science will be delivered at the center in Evanston including degrees in surgical technology, radiography and cardiac sonography.

In a recent presentation to the Village of Glenview Board of Trustees, Oakton College president Joianne L. Smith said that the college decided to offer classes in Evanston after NorthShore indicated it’s been difficult finding workers trained in many medical fields.

“We didn’t have space to offer the specialized labs, so in partnership with them we will be launching three new programs in 2025 in a space close to Evanston Hospital,” she said.

The new agreement marks the second time in recent months that the college announced a partnership in Evanston. Last month Oakton College signed an early admission and transfer agreement with Northwestern University.

Oakton College officials said associate degrees like the new ones that will be offered through the new Oakton College Health Career Education Center in Evanston are typically designed to be completed in two years. They also said Oakton and NorthShore will work to determine the enrollment capacity for the new programs.

To increase access to the education programs offered at the center, Oakton College and NorthShore will work together to secure third-party funding for various aspects of the program, including grant funding offered through the Illinois Community College Board Pipeline for the Advancement of the Healthcare Workforce Grant, said officials.

Qualifying students will have access to additional tuition assistance, including financial aid and scholarships alongside internships and job placement opportunities.

According to the college’s website, “At Oakton College, we believe that education is powerful and life-changing. That everyone deserves a supportive and equitable learning environment where they can thrive. And that connection to people, ideas and opportunity is the best path to success.”

It says that since its founding in 1969, the college’s mission has been to “empower and transform our students in the diverse communities we serve.”

“As outlined in our strategic plan, we are more determined than ever to be a force for positive impact, to help create a more equitable world, support more students in charting pathways to work, and to catalyze success in our neighboring communities and beyond,” the website says.

Oakton College has campuses in Des Plaines and Skokie.

“This partnership is a milestone worthy of celebration as it increases access to Oakton’s quality education programs by allowing us to deliver instruction on the east side of our district in the City of Evanston, the largest community in our district,” Smith said.

She said the creation of Oakton College Health Career Education Center aligns with OC’s strategic priorities by enhancing workforce readiness, leveraging partnerships with in-district employers, and enhancing its programmatic offerings to fill the health care industry’s critical workforce needs while creating career opportunities that lead to economic mobility.

“This is how we build just and thriving communities,” she said.

Brian L. Cox is a freelance reporter with Pioneer Press.