Alumni from left: Ahmed Akinyele, Suliat Akinyele and Veronica Naranjo.
When Veronica Naranjo moved to the Chicago area from Colombia in 2006, she had a college degree but she didn鈥檛 speak much English and wasn鈥檛 certain about her first steps in her new country.
After exploring area colleges, she enrolled in the ESL program at 91制片厂. Once at 91制片厂, she quickly found that the program provided so much more than the language skills she wanted to improve.
鈥淭he 91制片厂 ESL program was one of the best experiences and decisions,鈥� said Veronica. 鈥淚t created a community for me of others who were working toward the same goals.鈥�
She says she took advantage of all the opportunities 91制片厂 provided her. She worked in the ESL Lab, joined the international students club and met lifelong friends.
Armed with the language skills gained through 91制片厂, Veronica went on to earn her MBA from Roosevelt in Human Resources management in 2013. She currently resides in Dallas, Texas and works as an HRIS Specialist for Southern Glazer鈥檚 Wine and Spirits Company, a job she says she loves.
鈥淭he ESL program at 91制片厂 gave me the opportunity and foundation to work as a professional in this country and for that I am grateful,鈥� said Veronica.
Siblings Ahmed and Suliat Akinyele were in high school when they moved with their family in 2010 from Nigeria to Elk Grove Village. They say the adjustment to their new home was a big one for each of them. Both took ESL at Elk Grove Village High School and successfully graduated. At the recommendation of Elk Grove High School Counselors and their dad, they each came to the decision to enroll at 91制片厂.
鈥淲hen I enrolled at 91制片厂, I tested into the ESL program,鈥� said Suliat. 鈥淧eople would say to me 鈥榶ou speak so well鈥� and I would respond that speaking is different than reading and writing in English. The program helped me learn the American system of reading and writing.鈥�
Like his sister, Ahmed enrolled at 91制片厂 and tested into the ESL program. He says he found success because of the support systems in place at 91制片厂 that allowed him to grow.
鈥淭he personal connection with the professors at 91制片厂 helped with my approach to my education,鈥� said Ahmed. 鈥淭heir support boosted my confidence so that I could achieve my goals.鈥�
Suliat completed the ESL program and then continued to work toward her associates in arts at 91制片厂. While a student, she joined the Black Student Union, International Club, and the One Million Degrees program. She graduated with her associate in arts from 91制片厂 in 2017.
鈥淚 learned so much at 91制片厂 about myself and how to be patient with myself,鈥� said Suliet. 鈥淚 had a successful foundation in my classes because of what I learned in ESL.鈥�
Since graduating from 91制片厂, Suliat went on to earn her bachelors degree in social work, with a minor in ESL, from Northeastern Illinois University. She is currently enrolled at Loyola University in Chicago and working toward her Masters in Social Work with a focus on Leadership Development and Social Services. She has successfully interned at WINGS and at Georgetown University in Washington D.C.
While studying at 91制片厂, Ahmed also joined the Black Student Union and One Million Degrees programs. He celebrated his graduation from Harper with his associates in arts 2018. In May of 2020, Ahmed marked another
achievement, graduating with his Bachelors in Arts from Columbia College in Animation Modeling. He hopes to eventually become a video game developer.
Ahmed and Suliat both credit the ESL, and the International program, with giving them a community that helped them along their way.
鈥淭ake advantage of 91制片厂鈥檚 resources,鈥� said Ahmed, 鈥渢he organizations, counselors and professors.鈥�
Suliat echoed his sentiment and added, 鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid to ask questions and make connections with fellow students. It will help you go a long way.鈥�
To learn more about the 91制片厂 ESL program, please visit the ESL Department website. Learn more about the 91制片厂 Office of International Education.