Heartland Community College recognized eight former Adult Education students who are making an impact as professionals, volunteers, and scholars.
Heartland’s Adult Education department offers courses for High School Equivalency (GED), English as a Second Language, and Academic English Language Programs for those seeking to enhance their careers and transition into college courses.
Pladi Tuzuemo and Shan Zhong are recipients of the Academic Achievement Award.
Tuzuemo, currently a data analyst at State Farm, completed the Adult Education program at Heartland in 2018, gained an Associate of Arts degree from Heartland in 2022, and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree and MBA at Illinois State University.
Zhong completed the Adult Education program in 2021 and took credit courses at Heartland before transferring to ISU, where she graduated Summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She currently works as an accountant for the School of Biological Sciences at ISU and is pursuing her master’s degree.
Mildreth Rubi Flores-Ramirez and Oksana Perestoronina are recipients of the Best in Business Award.
Flores-Ramirez completed the Adult Education program in 2012 and transitioned to credit classes. She earned a certificate in Small Business Management from Heartland in 2024. She started her small business with a food truck called La Patrona, which has expanded to two brick-and-mortar restaurants in Bloomington and Champaign.
Perestoronina fled her native Ukraine when her home became enveloped by war. She took English and a Second Language (ESL) courses in Adult Education and started her own business as a nail technician. In 2023, she completed the Certified Nursing Assistant program, followed by earning an Associate in Applied Science in nursing to become a registered nurse in 2026.
Marianela Diaz and Martha Saldana are recipients of the Community Involvement Award.
Diaz participated in the Adult Education program in 2015-2016. She has worked for McLean County Unit 5 since 2016, serving the community as a bilingual parent liaison. Diaz is involved with the BN Parents group and is currently a member of the Heartland Foundation Board of Directors and the Action Council for Birth to Five Illinois.
Saldana completed the Adult Education program in 2016 and served as an ESL tutor from 2018-2019. She has worked in helping with Hispanic outreach for local businesses and at a local community center and joined the Heartland Adult Education program as a Spanish GED instructor. She currently serves as Regional Administrative Support for the INCCRA/Birth to Give Illinois Program.
Richa Dangi and Marie Ngambula are recipients of the Successful Professional Award.
Dangi completed the Adult Education program in 2016 and has since worked as a test engineer and software engineer for several different companies. She is currently a senior software engineer at Capgemini.
Ngambula completed the Adult Education program in 2015 and studied at Heartland to become a Certified Nursing Assistant while also completing a general education program. Marie transferred to Methodist College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2024. She currently works as a nurse at OSF Healthcare.
“Adult Education is a vital link that not only helps individuals succeed but contributes to the vibrancy of our community,” said Heartland Community College President Keith Cornille. “Each one of the students we have recognized this year took an important step towards not only improving their lives by pursuing an educational opportunity. We are proud to have helped them take that step, and are honored by all they have done to enrich our communities and share their talents.”
Since 2018, our ICAPS program has moved nearly 500 individuals without a high school diploma or the language skills to qualify for college and moved them on a pathway into college credit courses.
Oksana Perestoronina and Heather Huckstadt-Gonzalez, Associate Dean of Adult Education.
Adult Education Hall of Fame 2026 Inductees with IL State Rep Sharon Chung (far left) and HCC President Keith Cornille (far right).
