The Distinguished Alumnus Award was established in 2008 by the Parkland College Alumni Association to recognize exceptional alumni. Awarded during the spring commencement ceremonies, this award is given for academic, professional, personal and community contributions and achievements.
Eligibility includes the ability to attend commencement ceremonies in May and a minimum of 31 credit hours at Parkland College.
2023 Distinguished Alumnus: Dr. Julia Hart
Dr. Julia Hart is currently the site director for the COUNTRY Financial DigitaLab located in the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Research Park. Her work involves managing multiple student-based teams with projects spanning data science, user experience/design, and software development, focusing on research and innovation. She also serves as director of women in finance at the Gies College of Business and as adjunct faculty at the School of Information Sciences at the University of Illinois. Prior to her current positions, she was IT director for Facilities & Services and director of IT and institutional research for the Graduate College at the University of Illinois, and she also spent many years working for the City of Champaign. She has over 35 years of professional experience, with over half that time in technology.
Julia received her associate's degree from Parkland College in 2003, continuing on through the Adult Education program, and received her bachelor's degree from Franklin University in 2006. She went on to earn both her master's degree in 2008 and her doctoral degree in 2014 from the University of Illinois. Julia is married to Jason Hart and has a daughter, Dr. Jarai Carter.
Past Recipients
2022 - Louis E. Sola
2019 - Brad Evans
2018 - Kelly Duitsman Loschen
2017 - Ashley Morgan
2016 - Peter B. Alexander
2015 - Charles Smith
2014 - Jeffrey Hettler
2013 - Mark Pelafos
2012 - Stuart King
2011 - Darrin Peters
2010 - Krystal Fitzpatrick
2009 - Sandra Reifsteck
2008 - Dennis Riggs
If you are interested in nominating an individual for this prestigious award, please contact our offices at foundation@parkland.edu or 217/351-2458.