Alumni Shining

2023 Distinguished Alumnus: Dr. Scott Mertes

Between Waubonsee and Mid Michigan College, Dr. Mertes has spent 20 years in community colleges – first as a student and then as a dedicated professional. In his 18 years at Mid Michigan College, Dr. Mertes has led almost every aspect of the institution – student services, external relations and advancement, and academics. He is the personification of scholar-professional, having also taught at Central Michigan University and Walden University, and publishing numerous articles on issues related to community college student retention.  

After earning his Associate in Arts degree from Waubonsee in 1992, he went on to earn his bachelor’s degree from Winona State University, master’s degree from the University of Iowa, and doctorate from the University of Nebraska.

Trio of First-Generation Siblings Discovered Passions at Waubonsee, Return as Players at Soccer Alumni Days

The cumulative age gap between the Garcia siblings spans over 10 years, but their love for Waubonsee Community College and the game of soccer is the same. Danni Garcia-Havens, Hayley Garcia, and Chaz Garcia consider Waubonsee a gateway to education, where they each found a supportive place to navigate college and explore direct career paths. And Waubonsee continues to unite the Garcia family over a game they once played as student-athletes. 

According to the Garcia siblings, if families or siblings are thinking about college but unsure of what path to take, Waubonsee is the best place because it provides a unique and customizable learning experience and a place to discover one’s passions. Equally as important, the Garcia siblings believe that the value of staying connected to Waubonsee as alumni allows individuals to come back, reflect on their self-growth, see the changes at the college's four campuses, and be a part of a larger community. "It's important to stay connected and build those networking systems," said Hayley.  

The sibling trio comes back regularly to campus to participate in the Waubonsee Alumni Soccer Games. 

Our whole family looks forward to these events [Waubonsee Alumni Soccer Games]. It's like one big family reunion.”

– Dani Garcia

Meet the Garcia Family

Waubonsee Alumnus Devotes Life to Early Childhood Education and Life-Long Learning

Waubonsee alumna Sharkisha Jones has been teaching lessons and planning curriculum for children in a classroom as long as she can remember. In her current role, Jones partners with the Office of Governor Pritzker in redesigning early learning and care systems with families at the center. As a teenager, Jones was inspired by her family of educators and her love for young children. When a unique opportunity to obtain a work permit from the Quad County Urban League came her way, a then 14-year-old Jones jumped on a chance to work in her aunt's home daycare. Four years later, Jones graduated from Oswego High School and eagerly followed in her aunt's footsteps by enrolling in Waubonsee's Early Childhood Education program.

I came from a single-family home, and I was very concerned about not being able to afford college, but Waubonsee made it so easy to enroll and set up payment plans. Every teacher I had at Waubonsee's Early Childhood Education program was super helpful and prepared me for college life and the field I'm in now.”

– Sharkisha Jones

Jones, who has been in early childhood education for over 20 years, is a strong advocate for continued education and professional development. In her current role, Jones partners with local stakeholders to redesign early learning and care systems to ensure the voice of families and communities are at the center. Information is then shared regionally and reported to the Governor’s Office of Early Childhood Development. She is also an adjunct faculty member at Lewis University, where she teaches a clinical seminar that trains teachers on how to become licensed in Illinois.

Waubonsee Alumnus Pens Love Story to College in Personal Memoir

Waubonsee Community College alumna Diana Vickery has gifted the college with a personal memoir highlighting her years at the college as a student, employee, and lifelong supporter. Vickery’s labor of love, titled “Dream Job: Memories of Waubonsee Community College’s Early Years (1968-1971),” describes formative experiences she gained as a student and later as an employee at Waubonsee. Vickery’s personal recollections show Waubonsee as a place of self-discovery, where fulfilling adventures opened many doors of opportunities then and now. Vickery even met her husband Ray at the college, as he is a fellow alumnus.  In addition, the memoir affectionately highlights the “early pioneers” of Waubonsee, including a section listing administration and faculty and an in memoriam section dedicated to honoring and remembering those from the Waubonsee community who have passed. 

Read Vickery’s memoir and learn more about Waubonsee’s early history.

Waubonsee Connection Spans Generations in the Engel Family

For the goal-oriented Engel family, Waubonsee Community College was and is the key to a successful career for two generations of family members. 

Mary Beth Engel attended Waubonsee in the 1970s to achieve a dream she had had since she was nine years old: to become a nurse. Mary Beth was a parent to young children at the time, and Waubonsee gave her the accessibility she needed to get her education while also being a mother. Sometimes bringing her five-year-old daughter with her to class, Mary Beth worked her way through the nursing program. 

Waubonsee set me on the path that I wanted to be on,” she said. “The path I always wanted to follow.”

– Mary Beth Engel

A few decades later, Mary Beth’s grandson, Chadd Engel, also found himself entwined in Waubonsee’s roots. Chadd attended Columbia College in Chicago and started on a career that took him from nonprofit work to K-12 education spaces and higher education, and from Illinois to Hawaii and back again. When Chadd and his family returned to Illinois and settled in Yorkville, it was important to him to work in the community in which he lives, which brought him to Waubonsee. 

As the Senior Outcomes Assessment Coordinator at Waubonsee, Chadd works closely with the college’s faculty to oversee and support course outcomes, the alignment of course materials and learning activities.

Christofel Brothers Reflect on Career Success Since Graduating from Waubonsee’s Automotive Technology Program

Waubonsee alumni Joe and Dan Christoffel have a unique bond that sets them apart from typical siblings. Despite being ten years apart in age and in their academic journeys, they have followed almost identical paths leading to successful careers. Both brothers have excelled in their professional careers at Navistar Inc., working in separate cubicles rows apart. They attribute their success in the industry to their experiences at Waubonsee, recognizing the college's significant role in shaping their careers.

The Christoffel brothers' love for cars began at a young age when their dad introduced them to an overseas drag racing competition with the American Drag Racing League. This experience sparked the brothers' passion for racing and the automotive industry, which led Joe to enroll in Waubonsee's Automotive Technology Program. He was fortunate to receive the Lucile Gustafson Scholarship and completed his education, intending to work in a mechanical repair shop. However, Guy Tiberio, Associate Professor of Automotive Technology, encouraged him to explore the transfer pathway to Southern Illinois University (SIU) and keep his options open.

In junior high school, Dan looked up to his brother Joe. "As soon as I saw the path go well for him, I knew it would also go well for me, so I did everything he advised me to do," said Dan.

As a senior in high school, Dan attended Waubonsee's Automotive Technology Signing Day and said he was encouraged by Ken Kunz, Professor of Automotive Technology, to sign a letter of intent. Dan applied for the same Lucile Gustafson Scholarship as Joe and received it. He graduated from Waubonsee and took all the steps to transfer to SIU. "It was almost too easy for me," said Dan. "Waubonsee sets you up for greater success than the average student who attends a four-year institution."

When I look at a resume and see someone who attended Waubonsee's Automotive Technology Program or a similar community college's program and has transferred to a four-year institution with a transfer pathway, I know nine times out of 10, that is a stronger candidate.”

– Joe Christoffel

As the Manager of Training Development at Navistar, Joe oversees the development of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) accredited training programs for facilities in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, and Mexico. His brother, Dan, who recently earned his Bachelor of Science in Automotive Technology, is now the Diagnostic Development Senior at Navistar.