Officers

Chair: Judi Zaplatynsky, Professor of Computer Information Systems (CIS), Business/Social Science

I am a Puerto Rican American, born in Chicago, IL and raised in the Northwest suburbs. I began teaching at Harper in 1991 as an adjunct. I’ve been teaching full-time since 1997. Prior to working at Harper I worked at AT&T and Motorola as a programmer and Systems Analyst. I’m a strong proponent of mentoring and building community which are part of the core tenets of the DREAM Association’s mission.

I attend Willowcreek Community Church. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, spending time with my five grandsons and gardening!

Vice-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: Bhasker Moorthy, Associate Professor, Physical Sciences Department, Math and Sciences Division

I have been teaching at Harper College since 2006.  Prior to that, I lived in India, Seattle, and New Mexico in communities that varied greatly culturally and economically.  My experiences have enabled me to see firsthand how higher education can transform individuals and communities.  I believe community college instructors have a particularly important role to play in inspiring young people, especially those from underrepresented groups, to obtain the credentials and skills that will enable them to succeed in our society.  Since our students need instructors and mentors they can relate to, I believe it is very important that Harper College does a better job of recruiting and retaining faculty and staff of color.  I am committed to working towards this goal as a member of DREAM.

Advisor: Michelé Robinson, Special Assistant to the President for Diversity & Inclusion, Assistant Provost

Michelé Robinson has worked for William Rainey Harper College since 2002 and is currently serving as Special Assistant to the President for Diversity & Inclusion/Assistant Provost. Prior to serving in this capacity, she served as Dean of Business & Social Science, coordinator of the campus Child Learning Center, and faculty in the Early Childhood Education department.  In her current role, Michelé is responsible for the leadership of the college’s Diversity & Inclusion initiatives including serving as ombudsman for Bias Incident Reporting, developing support for campus affinity employee groups, providing leadership for the Faculty Fellowship program aimed at improving employee diversity in the faculty ranks, and collaborating with Human Resources on the implementation of 360 degree feedback surveys and exit interviews.  She also has oversight for college wide curriculum, the Multicultural Faculty Fellowship program, and the Harper Promise Program. Michelé earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Northwestern University, a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education Leadership and Advocacy from National Louis University and she is currently pursuing a doctorate in Educational Psychology from Northern Illinois University.  Mrs. Robinson is an active member of several campus committees and is co-leader of the Adelante Academy program at Harper College focused on providing college readiness experiences for Hispanic and Latino students.

Recording Secretary: Vacancy