Mathematics

The study of mathematics offers a practical and working knowledge of numbers useful in a variety of jobs. It is also an essential aspect of other areas of study like the sciences and engineering. A strong understanding and proficiency in mathematics is a must for students interested in any kind of career in science, technology or engineering.

Oakton College's Associate in Science (A.S.) degree with a mathematics pre-major offers you the chance to build your knowledge in this compelling and critical field while also fulfilling a variety of general education requirements that will seamlessly transfer to the four-year institution of your choice. Our Mathematics faculty will motivate and inspire you in an environment that nurtures self-esteem, promotes curiosity and fosters learning.

Offering something for everyone, Oakton's Mathematics program includes:

  • College-level courses that provide the foundation for degrees in business, life sciences, natural sciences, and engineering;
  • Applied mathematics courses that support occupational and technology programs;
  • Developmental classes for students preparing for college-level work.

Your initial placement in mathematics courses is determined by ACT/SAT scores (under 2 years), the Oakton Math Placement Test (ALEKS) or transcripts of successfully completed (C or better) college-level mathematics courses. If you have questions about placement into math courses, please contact the Mathematics Department Placement Coordinator. 

If you're a recent graduate (within two years) from Evanston, Glenbrook, Maine, Niles Township High Schools, Northridge Prep or Loyola Academy, you may also have initial placement determined by an articulation agreement that uses your high school transcript and your SAT or ACT score. This information will be reviewed by the Mathematics Department Placement Coordinator.

Pre-Major

Our mathematics pre-major is recommended for students who are considering completing a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics after transferring to a four-year institution. It is designed for students who have not decided upon a specific four-year college or university. 

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What's Next?

Pre-majors are recommended for students planning to complete a Bachelor’s degree after transferring to a four-year institution and are designed for students who have not yet decided on a specific four-year college or university. Career options in this field reflect the salaries and opportunities available to students upon completing their Bachelor’s degree.

To see specific Transfer Path agreements that Oakton has made with partner universities, please see the Transfer Partnerships and Guides.

For additional support with transfer planning, including course selection and educational planning, please contact the office of Advising, Transitions, and Student Success. The Career & Transfer Center (CTC) offers additional resources for students preparing to transfer to four-year colleges or universities.

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Meet Your Faculty

Jennifer Reeb, Chair
Professor of Mathematics
B.S. Illinois State University
M.S. University of Tennessee
M.S. Northwestern University
[email protected]
847.635.1974
Office: 2156, Des Plaines

Christopher Saunders, Coordinator of Developmental Mathematics
Professor of Mathematics
B.S. Juniata College
Ph.D. Pennsylvania State University
[email protected]
847.376.7011
Office: 2704, Des Plaines

Maria Antonopoulos
Associate Professor of Mathematics
B.S. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
M.S. Loyola University of Chicago
Ph.D. University of Illinois at Chicago
[email protected]
847.376.7283
Office:  2530, Des Plaines

Paul Bialek
Professor of Mathematics
B.S. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Ph.D. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
[email protected]
847.635.1721
Office: 3604, Des Plaines

Jayne Blacker
Associate Professor of Mathematics
B.S. University of Illinois, Chicago
M.S. DePaul University
[email protected]
847.376.7069
Office: 2530, Des Plaines

Mario Borha
Associate Professor of Mathematics
B.S. Loyola University of Chicago
M.S. Loyola University of Chicago
M.S. University of St. Francis
[email protected]
847.635.1654
Office:  2540, Des Plaines

Olga Cedrina
Professor of Mathematics
B. Ed. Latvijas Universite
M.S. Latvijas Universite
[email protected]
847.376.7282
Office: B214, Skokie

Michael Farquhar
Associate Professor of Mathematics
B.S.E.E. Bradley University
M.S. University of Illinois
[email protected]
847.376.7085
Office: 2116, Des Plalines

Safa Hamed
Professor of Mathematics
B.S. Loyola University of Chicago
M.S. Loyola University of Chicago
[email protected]
847.635.1898
Office: 2719, Des Plaines

Anna Hammer
Associate Professor of Mathematics
B.S. DePaul University
M.S. DePaul University
M.A. DePaul University
[email protected]
847.376.7030
Office: 2807, Des Plaines

Ahyoung Kim
Associate Professor of Mathematics
B.S. Yonsei University
Ph.D. University of Wisconsin Madison
[email protected]
847.376.7062
Office: 2719, Des Plaines

Matthew Lee
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
B.S. University of California, Davis
M.S. University of California, Riverside
Ph.D. University of California, Riverside
[email protected]
847.635.1949
Office: 2733, Des Plaines

Naga Potluri
Professor of Mathematics
B.S. Sri Padmavati  Mahila Visvavidyalayam
B.S. Sri Padmavati  Mahila Visvavidyalayam
M.S. Sri Padmavati  Mahila Visvavidyalayam
[email protected]
847.376.7071
Office: 2706 Des Plaines

Ivan Temesvari
Professor of Mathematics and Computer Science
A.A. Oakton College
B.S. Eastern Illinois University
M.A. Eastern Illinois University
[email protected]
847.376.7065
Office: 2134, Des Plaines

Gabriel Porrata Vallejo
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
M.S. University of Iowa
[email protected]
847.635.1459
Office: 2725, Des Plaines

Dorota Zak
Associate Professor of Mathematics
B.S. University of Illinois at Chicago
M.S. University of Illinois at Chicago
[email protected]
847.635.1961
Office: 2712, Des Plaines


Adjunct Faculty

Kawkab Alhejoj
Lecturer
BS University of Jordan
MS Northeastern Illinois University
PhD Illinois Institute of Technology
[email protected]
847.635.1688
Office: Room 100, Lee Center, Des Plaines

Shashank Atre
Lecturer
BS Devi Ahilya University
MSc Tech Indian School of Mines
MS University of Wisconsin
PhD Northern Illinois University
[email protected]
847.635.1688
Office: Room 100, Lee Center, Des Plaines

Jadwiga Cyparska
Lecturer
B.A. Technical University of Szczecin
M.A. Technical University of Szczecin
Ph.D. Technical University of Wroclaw
[email protected]
847.635.1688
Office: Room 100, Lee Center, Des Plaines

Christian Han
Lecturer
B.A. Northeastern Illinois University
M.S. Northeastern Illinois University
[email protected]
847.635.1688
Office: Room 100, Lee Center, Des Plaines

Randall Farmer
Lecturer
B.S. University of Illinois
[email protected]
847.376.7245
Office: 100 Lee Center, Des Plaines

Simon Kakumanu
Lecturer
B.S. C.S.R.C. College
B.Ed. Nagarjuma University
M.S. Vikram University
M.Ed. Nagarjuma University
C.A.S. University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
[email protected]
847.635.1688
Office: Room 100, Lee Center, Des Plaines

Mahmoud Khalili
Lecturer
B.S. Tehran University
M.S. Northeastern University
Ph.D. Illinois Institute of Technology
[email protected]
847.635.1688
Office: Room 100, Lee Center, Des Plaines

Esther Kim
Lecturer
M.D. Korea University
M.S. Chicago State University
[email protected]
847.635.1688
Office: Room 100, Lee Center, Des Plaines

Andrei Kolas
Lecturer
B.S. Belarussian M.Tank State Pedagogical University
M.S. Belarussian M.Tank State Pedagogical University
[email protected]
847.635.1688
Office: Room 100, Lee Center, Des Plaines

Mikhail Manilov
Lecturer
B.S. Kyiv State University, Ukraine
M.S. Kyiv State University, Ukraine
M.S. DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois
Ph. D., Hydraulic Engineering and Amelioration Scientific and Research Institute, Kyiv, Ukraine
[email protected]
847.635.1688
Office: Room 100, Lee Center, Des Plaines

Narcis-Ion Motorga
Lecturer
M.S. Northeastern Illinois University
B.A. West University of Timisoara, Romania
[email protected]
847.635.1688
Office: Room 100, Lee Center, Des Plaines

Kamilla Murashkina
Lecturer
B.S. Moscow State University
M.S. Moscow State University
M.S. Northeastern Illinois University
[email protected]
847.635.1688
Office: Room 100, Lee Center, Des Plaines

James Papademas
Lecturer
B.A. Roosevelt University
B.S. Roosevelt University
M.B.A. Roosevelt University
M.S. Roosevelt University
[email protected]
847.635.1688
Office: Room 100, Lee Center, Des Plaines

Katherine Papademas
Lecturer
B.S. University of Illinois, Chicago
M.S. University of Illinois, Chicago
M.S. Roosevelt University
J.D. John Marshall Law School
[email protected]
847.635.1688
Office: Room 100, Lee Center, Des Plaines

Luke Papademas
Lecturer
B.S. Roosevelt University
B.S. Roosevelt University
M.S. Roosevelt University
M.S. Roosevelt University
M.S. Illinois Institute of Technology
[email protected]
847.635.1688
Office: Room 100, Lee Center, Des Plaines

Harminder Rustagi
Lecturer
B.S. University of Delhi
M.S. University of Delhi
[email protected]
847.635.1688
Office: Room 100, Lee Center, Des Plaines

Michael Sawyer
Lecturer
M.S. University of Houston
B.a. Indiana University
[email protected]
847.635.1688
Office: Room 100, Lee Center, Des Plaines

Lisa Whitlock
Lecturer
B.A. Northeastern University
M.S. Northeastern University
[email protected]
847.635.1688
Office: Room 100, Lee Center, Des Plaines

Theresa Wong
Lecturer
B.A. Spalding University
M.A. Northeastern University
[email protected]
847.635.1688
Office: Room 100, Lee Center, Des Plaines

Lynda Zenati
Lecturer
BS Illinois Institute of Technology
MS Northeastern Illinois University
PhD Illinois Institute of Technology
[email protected]
847.635.1688
Office: Room 100, Lee Center, Des Plaines

Mathematics Placement Coordinator

To successfully complete your registration requiring placement by the mathematics assessment coordinator, perform the following steps.

  1. Fill out the online form to indicate which Oakton math classes you are interested in taking.
  2. Fax a copy of your transcripts and other supporting documentation to 847.376.7076 or deliver to the Division of STEM, Des Plaines campus, 100 Lee Center.
  3. Wait until you are contacted by email or phone regarding the status of your request.
  4. Register for your selected courses on campus or online at myOakton.

Please note that your prerequisite clearance for a given Oakton math course does not mean that you are registered for that course. You may need to complete other steps for registration. 

Mathematics Assessment Coordinator
[email protected]
Division of STEM, 100 Lee Center
847.376.7110
Fax: 847.376.7076