Oakton College — Local services in Maine Township

I am pursuing an associate's degree. I'm halfway done with my degree. I wanted to wait until I complete it, but I feel compelled to write a review now.

Oakton's orientation was confusing, but after a few phone calls, I knew what to do. It was frustrating as my academic advisor had no clue on what exact classes I should take, even though he's there to make sure I check off the checkboxes. I had to reach out to the department head to verify which classes I should take (which is unique, because I don't think I had to meet any department head to talk about my requirements for my previous degrees). It seems like there is a redundant administration / red tape structure. Furthermore, there are three different types of computer science programs, so it's super confusing to figure out which classes I should be taking and what could be counted for what. It would be so much easier to reduce that into one overall computer science program with many tracks, instead of diluting it down more.

I worked fully remote, so I was interested in picking up a part-time job on campus. I had an interview at the library. The supervisor was super lovely, but the interview itself was too way long. I have sat in shorter interviews for full time positions/internships. It was two hours of soft skill, math, and sorting questions. I understand that you want the best student workers, but this is a community college for young and older students who want to start off their careers. Why have a high bar and alienate those who need experience in the first place?

The quality of professors range from exceptional to questionable. I had one professor who maintained his enthusiasm throughout a semester. His course wasn't difficult, but he was approachable and really cared for his students to be successful. I had a video call with him as an icebreaker and we chatted away for a hour. He asked for my insights for one of his developing courses (and hopefully it's going well!). I wasn't planning to take his course, so it was nice of him to ask for my opinion. I appreciate the effort that instructors put into their courses.

On the other hand, I had a professor who struggled in the same semester. They claimed that they were uninformed that it's supposed to be an asynchronous course, so they needed time to adjust. I found it odd that they weren't aware how the course was going to be delivered? Give it a week and we are back on track. That didn't happen! Half a semester later and countless emails from students, the professor finally gave us assignments to do, but those assignments were supposed to be based on previous assignments we were supposed to do in the first 8 weeks. After a few emails, the assignments change and we are finally learning. The professor "disappears" again until end of the semester to inform us to turn in late/missing assignments. We weren't informed what assignments were missing. It wasn't until AFTER the semester that I found out about my final grade, which was much lower than I expected. After another round of emails, I was able to get that sorted out. A lot of us from the course were disgruntled with her, but she dissuaded us from collectively taking action and that we should talk to her one-on-one. The attempt to evade accountability left me a sour note.

The overall lack of communication, preparation, and accountability made this course super frustrating.

The intention is there as most of the people I met here so far mean well. I think there is a bloated/outdated administration and a small group of instructors that are here for the paycheck. There is a bigger obsession of changing Oakton's brand as they change their name this year. Solely changing your name isn't going to change your reputation if you don't change the people within. This is a college serving people from Park Ridge, Des Plaines, Niles, Glenview, and more communities. You are here to serve the community, not to compete with other colleges/universities, to boost your own egos, or to make the quick buck.

I wish to come back to this after graduation and write a...

I am a mom with 2 children, who wanted to take some credit classes for my future college. So i live close by to Des Plaines location and decided to apply for Oakton Comm. college. Since i have degree overseas, i tried to collect all my previous credentials and see what comes out. After registration i made an appointment with an academic advisor and i came out with more confusion. I wasn’t able to get answers to any of my questions, i heard i need to take placement test to see where am i. After a week i hardly made arrangements with day care to leave my baby and came to do writing test. Then next week came and and tried to take placement test on Math but they only take people till 12pm on that day. So i had to come back after a week because certain days the exam rooms are closed for current students. So i called to make next appointment with another advisor, and they told me to email the request to change my advisor and the reason why? Which i did, and waited 10 days for return email. The return email said I don’t have assigned academic advisor because first i need to finalize my registration. And to do that i need to see academic advisor. I called back to make an appointment with request if i can see someone else not the same guy, and they are like “no, he is the academic advisor that was assigned for me and there is no way. So after couple of calls i finally was able to make appointment with some other advisor. So, already it is end of July and i decided to change my path and needed to talk to someone else. Whenever i called they only ask to make an appointment with advisor and ask them. And starting that week they do same day calling appointments only. I called on Monday at 9 am and been told i should of call at 7:30 am if needed for AM appointment. The next day i call, and automatically machine says they are open from 8:30am. I waited and called at exact 8:40 am, and was on hold for 15 minutes and they still give me an afternoon appointment. I had to explain i have a life there is no way i can do this afternoon. They made me appointment at Skokie location. I went there and my advisor took me 20 minutes late from my appointment time. I was fine I understand, but she only could take me for like short time and we couldn’t even pick classes. But she explained at least what classes i should pick. I came home and there were 10 different English 101 classes. So i called to make sure i am choosing the correct one. Again, i needed to same day calling appointment and i had to call the next morning for my appointment. Unfortunately i was late to my appointment and while driving to college i called them if any Chance i can still see someone else. Of course no! I have to call the next day again. Ughhhh! Why they make it too hard, and least advising over the phone should be available for people like me. Yes, i am trying not to take these steps to hard and relax and continue my education. But i just can’t deal with...

I have taken three classes so far in Oakton. I had one great instructor, one not so good: but the worst one I have had is Monte H. Dobzyn. 1) He is authoritative and wouldn't allow the students to express their thoughts 2) He becomes angry when you asked a question and can sometimes humiliate you 3) He uses a military style to run his class 4) He doesn't prepare PowerPoint, slides, or any materials, he expects you to absorbed all his dictations 5) He has no regards for students, hence no students/professors connection.

By all means, this is the class to avoid if you want to pass and do very well. He teaches Microbiology (BIO 251). If his spot is the only one left during registration, there is no point to be in a hurry, wait and register another semester or switch if you already mistakenly register for it. This guy will ruin it for you because he tried it with me, because I spoke out to challenge his disrespectful attitude towards students.

The fact that Oakton is still harboring such professors is quite a surprise. Maybe the school have a motive for it.

My final advice? Don't take Mr. Monte H. Dobzyn class if you want to do very well in...