Harper College

Harper College Distinguished Alumni Awards

The Distinguished Alumni Awards program at Harper College recognizes Harper College Alumni who have distinguished themselves in their careers and in their service to the community. The program launched in 2008 and to date, a total of 92 individuals have been honored. In 2019, a new award, the Outstanding Recent Alumni Award, was added to honor an alumna/alumnus who is less than 10 years out from Harper College and making an early impact in their careers and community. Learn more about previous Harper College Distinguished Alumni honorees by visiting the Distinguished Alumni digital display on Harper’s campus on the main level in Building A or click here.

2024 Harper College Distinguished Alumni Awards 

Thank you to all who joined us for the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Awards Reception on October 17. Click below to watch the playback of the event. 

Outstanding Recent Alumni

Dana Romero, M.S.

Dana Romero, M.S.

Choosing a career field wasn’t hard for Dana Romero. Today, Romero is an emerging leader in the field of clinical mental health counseling and works in private practice as a mental health therapist. Meet Dana Romero


Distinguished Alumni

Carrie A. Fullerton

Carrie A. Fullerton, CPRE

Carrie Fullerton didn’t allow any obstacles to prevent her from becoming a successful leader in the field of parks and recreation. Today, she serves as executive director of the Arlington Heights Park District, considered to be one of the best in Illinois. Meet Carrie A. Fullerton

Jeremy Lucas

Jeremy Lucas

Jeremy Lucas parlayed his education at Harper into becoming a successful actor, artistic director and leader in arts education in Los Angeles. He is the founder and artistic director of Jaxx Theatricals, a theatre company and performing arts education nonprofit. Meet Jeremy Lucas

Steven Mastandrea

Steven Mastandrea

Over his career, Steven Mastandrea intertwined his passions for computer engineering and software development along with work as an emergency medical technician (EMT). Today, he is vice president of engineering at Vibes, a leader in mobile marketing software. Meet Steven Mastandrea

Dr. Joseph Sagerer

Dr. Joseph Sagerer

Dr. Joseph Sagerer continues to draw inspiration from his experiences at Harper College for his notable career in higher education. As a senior lecturer and researcher at Dominican University in River Forest, he seeks to challenge and mentor his students as they pursue their studies in physics. Meet Dr. Joseph Sagerer


Thank you to our event sponsors!
 Ascension                 

 Ascension  





Pinderski & Pinderski, Ltd. 
Follett Higher Education

Distinguished Alumni Award nominations take place each spring. Stay tuned for the 2025 call for nominations. Review previous nomination requirements.  For information on sponsoring or about the Distinguished Alumni Awards event, please contact Harper College Alumni Relations at alumni@harpercollege.edu or 847.925.6701.


Past Distinguished Alumni Honorees

Distinguished Alumni Scholarship Fund

Invest in a Strong Future: Support the Distinguished Alumni Scholarship Fund.

Questions? Contact us at 847.925.6701 or alumni@harpercollege.edu.

Last Updated: 10/29/24