A Family Affair: Father, Daughter Retire from Parkland College
For the past six decades, generations of families have etched themselves into the Parkland College history books—attending class, earning degrees, and working at the college.
One father and daughter can now add retirement to their family history at Parkland.
Tawanna Nickens, assistant dean of Adult Education and Workforce Development, will retire from Parkland in June 2025 after a quarter-century of service. Prior to Parkland, she worked in the Admissions Office as an undergraduate student at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
“That early exposure ignited my passion for higher education, which has continued to grow,” Nickens says. “This passion led me to pursue a graduate program in student services, along with valuable work at the Champaign-Ford Regional Office of Education, where I first discovered the field of adult education.”
In those early years, she wore many hats and traveled often, dividing her time between the Adult Education office in Rantoul and the second floor of the X-wing on the main Parkland campus.
“That era was foundational, not only in terms of professional growth but also in developing lasting relationships with students, colleagues, and community partners,” she says. “Throughout my career, I have been fortunate to take on diverse roles, including student advising, GED instructor, and serving as the evening program assistant. These experiences have enriched my understanding of the field and reinforced my dedication to helping others succeed.”
Nickens added: “When Parkland assumed responsibility for the adult education grant in 2000, it allowed me to further grow and ultimately led me to the role of program administrator. This transition was a pivotal moment in my career, and I’m incredibly thankful for the guidance and mentorship I received along the way.”
What kept Nickens grounded through the years, she admits, is the incredible people she’s had the privilege to work with at Parkland, including her father, James Harden.
“Their dedication, compassion, and humor have made even the most challenging days meaningful,” she says. “The sense of camaraderie and shared purpose is something I will always cherish. We celebrated successes together, supported one another through difficult times, and remained committed to the mission of serving our students with excellence.”
Nickens and her father, James, are originally from South Bend, Ind., a city which shaped their values of hard work, integrity, and community. After serving 24 years in the United States Air Force and still feeling motivated to work, he began working in the Parkland Physical Plant in 1994.
“Although we did not work alongside each other, it still was a great blessing to have such an amazing life experience of being father and daughter working and retiring from the same institution,” Harden says. “I miss working in such a pleasant, professional environment with a dedicated team.”
Nickens recalls the moment she encouraged her father, who primarily worked the third shift, to apply for the supervisor position when it became available.
“It felt like the perfect fit—an opportunity to continue leading with the same discipline and quiet strength he had demonstrated throughout his military service,” she says. “Although we didn't often work side by side, we shared a special bond in knowing we were part of the same Parkland community. It was a unique and meaningful connection to know our paths, although different in nature, intersected in purpose. Even in passing, a wave in the parking lot or a shared conversation about campus happenings made the experience much richer.”
Harden retired from Parkland as Physical Plant supervisor in 2009. Continuing the family connection, Nickens’ brother, James, is a proud alumnus who served as a Student Ambassador, Vice President of Student Government and a student worker.
“Our family's ties to this institution run deep, and they’ve helped shape how I view education—not just as a job, but as a calling and a community mission.”
As Nickens prepares to close this chapter of her life, she reflects on not just the work, but the moments in between—conversations between classes, the laughter during team meetings, the satisfaction of watching a student achieve something they once thought impossible.
“These are the memories I’ll carry with me,” she says. “These are the moments that made the journey so worthwhile. Though I’ll miss being a part of the daily rhythm of Parkland life, I leave with a full heart and deep gratitude.”
–Noah Nelson, Communications Specialist