After earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2017, he was commissioned as a naval officer in the U.S. Navy Reserves’ Nurse Corps. In 2022, he earned a master’s degree in nursing at the University of St. Francis in Joliet, IL.

Today, Omar is a family nurse practitioner for the Genesis/Mercy One regional health care system and still serves as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Reserves.

Omar believes that his time at Black Hawk College was a catalyst for his love of knowledge, as Black Hawk College afforded him the opportunity for a stellar education at an affordable price. “The nursing program at Black Hawk College was rigorous and demanding, both physically and mentally, but allowed the students access to the vast knowledge of the professors from many different health care backgrounds and experiences,” says Omar. “I owe my time at Black Hawk College for shaping me into the health care professional I am today.”

He is a member of the Paul Harris Society, Polio Plus Society, and is a major donor and benefactor to the Rotary International Foundation.

He has taught American Institute of Banking courses at Black Hawk College and has served on several panels and been a guest speaker about banking and business-related topics.

Dave has lived in the Quad Cities his entire life and is very active in the community. He is the treasurer for the Black Hawk College Foundation, School Health LINK, New Kingdom Trailriders and Arrowhead Youth Services. He also is a member of the boards of directors for the Genesis Health Services Foundation, the Rock Island Housing Authority, Community Housing Partners and the Rock Island County Council on Addiction and is a former Black Hawk College trustee.

In November 2012, Molly joined Quad Cities-based KJWW Engineering Consultants, now known as IMEG, and currently serves as IMEG’s chief marketing officer and is a principal owner in the firm. She leads a team of 35 marketing professionals and oversees national brand positioning and strategic brand engagement objectives for the national firm of more than 2,600 team members.

Molly has a successful record in getting initiatives off the ground and flourishing. She is an active community advocate and award winner, having served on many civic and non-profit boards including being named the first female commissioner on the Metropolitan Airport Authority at the Quad City International Airport in 2006. She also contributed her time as a past board member and chair of the Black Hawk College Foundation.

Molly remains a strong advocate for the community college infrastructure. “Institutions like Black Hawk College not only provide a great foundation for secondary education, but they are also key pieces of the puzzle in developing vibrant communities where all can thrive,” she says.

P.J. has given back his time serving on various non-profit and civic boards in the Quad Cities including the Rock Island Community Foundation and most recently the Deere Wiman/Butterworth Foundation Board of Trustees. He also served as the Third Ward Alderman in Rock Island from 2009-17.

P.J. firmly believes that his time at Black Hawk College helped shape him for success in his career. “The professors at Black Hawk College helped hone my writing, reading, and public speaking skills,” P.J. says. “Many of the classes I took from history, psychology, English, communication, and fine arts really helped me gain a perspective to be a well-rounded individual and showed me that I could use my education at Black Hawk College to achieve many great achievements in my professional career.”

Her dedication and competence propelled her from a managerial role to a program director, and eventually to the esteemed position of executive director, which she held for nearly two years. However, her passion for education led her back to the higher education sector, where she assumed leadership of the Black Hawk College Foundation.

Zenaida took the reins of the Black Hawk College Foundation in June 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recognizing the challenges faced by students transitioning to online learning, she proactively wrote and secured grants for technology funds. Her efforts resulted in a significant 30% increase in the availability of laptops and hot spots, providing crucial support to Black Hawk College students.

She is a member of the League of the United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Council 5285, the Ascentra Credit Union Latino Advisory Committee and the Community Advisory Board for WQPT PBS.

Located in Moline, Heritage has evolved from a small operation in the basement of his home with just two employees and $125,000 in revenue to a thriving business with 45 employees and more than $6 million in annual revenue. Last year, Heritage landscaped the new baseball field at Black Hawk College and will be working on Building 3 this year.

Troy has mentored many young men throughout the years as well as young adults starting their careers at Heritage. When his kids were in sports, he coached basketball and baseball and passed along his love of the game along with the importance of a hard work ethic, team and commitment to a goal and friendships. Heritage is passionate about supporting organizations and non-profits committed to improving the lives of children and has partnered with groups such as the Boys & Girls Club, Davenport Junior Theatre, Gilda’s Club, Make-A-Wish, Moline Little League, Moline Public Schools Foundation, Special Olympics and United Way.

He was employed at Black Hawk College for more than 10 years, first as director of the International Trade Center then as director of Community and Economic Development managing the Small Business Development Center, the International Trade Center, the Procurement Technical Assistance Center and the Business Training Center.

After Black Hawk College, Adrian was a district director for U.S. Rep. Bobby Schilling and worked on military, agriculture and small business issues. He then served as public affairs administrator for Illinois Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka.

Since 2016, Adrian has worked for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and currently is the senior region manager overseeing agency programs for 10 counties in northwest Illinois. During the pandemic, he helped many small businesses apply for grants and assistance.

She also served four years on the Moline Historic Preservation Commission, was a board member of the Rock Island County Historical Society and is a supporter of Landmarks Illinois.

As a board member of the Heritage Documentary Society, she partnered with Kathleen Seusy, Curt Roseman and Gena Schantz to author the book, “Echoes From Riverside Cemetery,” in 2009. She also worked with Curt Roseman on “A Century of Players, Performers, and Pageants, Wharton Field House and Browning Field, Moline, Illinois.” The book includes numerous colorful stories of people and events there and also chronicles the origins and development of these two historic places.

In addition to her work with preservation, Diann has volunteered with the Junior Board of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra and the Moline Junior Service League.