Jennifer E. Bell
Assistant Professor
Jennifer Bell joined the Adult Educational Development Department at Harper College in 2001. She teaches adult English as a second language literacy, adult basic education, GED and Bridge to HVAC classes. Her classes are located both on campus and at the extension site, the Palatine Opportunity Center.
Jennifer received her B.A. from the University of Chicago and holds an M.A. in Applied Linguistics/TESOL from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her primary interests are in multicultural learning, social justice issues in TESOL, connecting students to technology/bridging the digital divide and developing new approaches to increase opportunities for adult immigrants. She is fluent in German and Spanish, and has conversational ability in American Sign Language.
Jennifer E. Bell is presented the Glenn A. Reich Technology Award; she is pictured second from the right.
At Harper College, she has been actively involved in a broad range of initiatives and committees. She is currently a member of the Core Team in Achieving the Dream, an initiative focusing on student success with an emphasis on low-income, first time college students and students of color. Jennifer won the Glenn A. Reich Award for innovative use of technology in instruction in 2009. In 2005, Jennifer was a Multicultural Faculty Fellow with the Center for Multicultural Learning. She took a lead role in creating and teaching the "Bridge to HVAC,” a unique program to transition adult basic education students to the Heating and Air Conditioning field. Jennifer has presented and co-presented at national and local conferences including TESOL, Illinois TESOL, NCORE (National Conference on Race and Ethnicity), COABE (Commission on Adult Basic Education) and the Adult Learning Resource Center Fall Conferences.
In the community, Jennifer takes an active role at the Palatine Opportunity Center by conducting needs' assessments and helping to plan community programs and events. She collaborates with many community organizations including the Chicago Workers' Collaborative, VISTA Health Clinic and the Palatine Public Library to provide information and services for her students. In her free time, Jennifer volunteers for the Dupage County Forest Preserve and Dragonfly Monitoring Network as a citizen dragonfly monitor. She is also an avid salsa dancer.