Executive Board

Chair: Tong Cheng, Associate Professor, Biology Department, Math and Science Division

I joined Harper College Biology Department in 2011. I earned my B.A. in Biology from Wuhan University in China and PhD in Molecular & Mammalian Genetics from University of Illinois at Chicago. My primary interest in molecular cell biology, I also teach Microbiology and Human Disease as well.

Besides teaching, I served several divisional and institutional committees, such as Faculty Senate Social Committee, Honors Committee, and Divisional Promotion Committee, tenure committee. I am also a member of the Strategic Goal Team (Student experience subcommittee).

I have been a proud DREAM member since 2011. Coming from an underrepresented ethnic group, I am very gratitude to the guidance and support from DREAM community throughout all these years, and it is my time to give back now. I am very excited to be an executive board member of DREAM. My goal is to continue to support, promote the DREAM mission and to make DREAM community thrive.

Chair: Veronica Mormino, Associate Professor, Geography Department, Business and Social Science Division

I have been a full-time instructor at Harper since 2004. I was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I am very proud to be a member of the DREAM Group and am thankful for the amazing opportunity to mentor several members. One of my goals as vice chair of Dream is to continue its mission of inclusion and diversity on campus. I passionately believe that supporting inclusion and diversity continues to make Harper a better place to work and study for all. I enjoy traveling, getting to know other people and cultures and serving the community and those in need.

Chair: LaVonya Williams, Counselor/Assistant Professor of Student Development, Student Development

I have been a full time faculty member at Harper since 2002 working as a counselor in the Academic Advising and Counseling Center. I also teach two classes in diversity and humanistic psychology.  As an African American in higher education, I am passionate about diversity and social justice. I believe there is a great need to come together as a “community of color” that will move forward the diversity agenda with the goal of recruiting and retaining professionals of color at Harper College. As this community grows, role models and mentors are vital in helping our students of color achieve both academic and personal success. It is this vision and purpose that I believe is at the heart of the DREAM Association.

Treasurer and Data Champion: Karega Cooper, Assistant Professor, Mathematics Department, Math and Sciences Division

I have been a full-time faculty member at Harper College since 2009.  Since receiving my B.S. and M.S. degrees from Clark Atlanta University, I have spent most of my adult life teaching mathematics at institutions of higher education in Savannah, Ga., Kansas City, Mo., Polokwane, South Africa, and now here in Palatine, Il.

Throughout my personal and professional life, I've both witnessed and experienced the inequities that exist in access to educational opportunities for underrepresented people.  Of the many obstacles that exist, one of the most palpable is the lack of people of color instructing, guiding and inspiring both our minority and majority students.

I am aware firsthand of the transformative power of a college education, and am dedicated to reducing the barriers that limit access to college. To this end, I am committed to helping DREAM make informed, data-driven decisions in recruiting and retaining people of color to make Harper a more welcoming and inviting place for all.

Recording Secretary: Dr. Stephanie Horton, Assistant Professor, English Department, Liberal Arts Division

I joined Harper College in 2011. I earned my B.A. in English from Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans and my M.A. and PhD in Medieval Literature from the University of Iowa.  My primary interests lie in late medieval English romance literature. I also have reading proficiency in Classical Latin and Greek.

Since beginning my teaching career at Harper, I have taught developmental English courses, Freshman Composition and Supplemental Instruction courses, a Learning Community with developmental English and Reading, as well as an Early British Literature course. I have found significant meaning in building relationships through mentoring opportunities here at Harper College, and, accordingly, have participated in the DREAM mentoring program as a mentee and currently serve as a mentor to incoming freshman from underrepresented minority groups through Harper's E.L.I.T.E Program. Outside of Harper, I am a loving wife and a mother to three  beautiful children.

Staff Liaison: Leah Kang, ESL and International Student Advisor, Student Development

I began working full time at Harper in 2014 as the ESL and International Student Advisor. I am originally from Seoul, South Korea. I have a BS in International Business and French and a MA in TESL.

I am honored to be a member of DREAM and be staff liaison. Diversity and inclusion is important to me. As an Asian – American woman, I hope to be a positive role model to other minorities on this campus. As an advisor and instructor to students from diverse backgrounds, I feel it is my duty to help those students to become more visible within our community. When our faculty and staff are diverse, it gives our students a stronger perspective of what they can achieve by seeing professionals that mirror their backgrounds. I am excited to help continue the mission of DREAM.