Faculty
At Northwest Suburban College, our faculty is made up of experienced professionals who bring both academic knowledge and real-world expertise into the classroom. Each instructor is dedicated to guiding students with personalized support, hands-on training, and instruction designed to prepare them for professional success. Together, our team fosters an encouraging learning environment where students can gain the skills, confidence, and professional preparation needed to succeed in today’s healthcare and science fields.
Mr. Omar Abead, PharmD
Pharmacy Technician Program Director, Instructor & Externship Coordinator
Mr. Omar Abead received his Doctor of Pharmacy from Jordan University of Science & Technology. He is a trained Clinical Pharmacist with prior experience as a Pharmacy Technician in both clinical and retail settings like Walgreens and CVS. During pandemic times, he also worked extensively in COVID-19 vaccine clinics. During his employment as a Pharmacy Technician, he provided hands-on training to many newly hired Pharmacy Technicians and discovered he enjoys teaching.
Dr. M.T. AliNiazee, PhD
Professor, Department of Biological Sciences and Department of Research & Development
Dr. M.T. AliNiazee received his PhD from the University of California, Riverside in 1970 and has since been involved in research and teaching at major U.S. universities, including the University of California, Davis and Oregon State University. He is the founder of NWSC, previously served as its president, and teaches courses in biology and research & development.
Dr. Asefa Ansari, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Biological Sciences
Dr. Asefa Ansari received her PhD in Zoology and Entomology from the University of Reading in the United Kingdom and has over 30 years of experience in teaching and research at different universities and colleges. In addition to teaching at National Louis University, Dr. Ansari teaches in the Department of Biological Sciences at NWSC, adding to her many years of teaching experience.
Dr. Greeshma Ashok, BDS, CDA
Dental Assistant Program Director
Dr. Greeshma Ashok is a Certified Dental Assistant through the Dental Assisting National Board and a dentist from India. She has acquired her Bachelor of Dental Surgery and has three years of occupational experience as a Dental Assistant in the U.S. She has previously worked as the Lead Instructor and Externship Coordinator for our Dental Assistant Program and has more than three years of classroom teaching experience. She also has significant experience teaching distance education and blended courses.
Ms. Lee Banting, BS
Medical Assistant Program Instructor
Ms. Lee Banting has been working in the healthcare field for nearly 20 years and has over 14 years of experience in medical assisting. Lee holds a bachelor’s degree in Healthcare Management, and she combines academic knowledge with practical insights to enhance patient care and streamline healthcare processes. Lee is a healthcare professional, drawing on her rich background to provide students with real-world applications and critical industry knowledge, preparing them for successful careers in healthcare.
Dr. Sonji G. Barnes, PhD, MEd, MS
Professor, Department of Humanities & Fine Arts
Dr. Barnes is an experienced educator specializing in Psychology, Sociology, and Public Health. She has taught both undergraduate and graduate courses at institutions including Computer Systems Institute, Erikson Institute, ASA College, and Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development. Dr. Barnes combines her academic expertise with extensive leadership experience in education and student wellness, emphasizing equity, social justice, and community engagement to enhance learning outcomes. She holds a PhD in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Illinois at Chicago, an MS in Education from Erikson Institute, an MEd in Counseling & Student Development, and a BS in Business from Tuskegee University.
Mr. Bruce Elegant, MPH
Assistant Professor, Department of Health Science
Mr. Bruce Elegant is an Adjunct Faculty Instructor at Aurora University and serves as an Assistant Professor in Health Systems Management at Rush University. Formerly, he was President & CEO of Rush Oak Park, and today he brings over two decades of executive leadership experience in hospital and outpatient care settings into the classroom. Through his teaching and public communications, such as recent appearances on Becker’s Healthcare Podcast, Bruce offers students real-world insights into healthcare staffing, regulatory shifts, AI adaptation in clinical environments, and data-driven leadership strategies.
Ms. Delilah Figueroa, CCMA, CPT
Medical Assistant Program Instructor & Externship Coordinator
Ms. Delilah Figueroa is a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, Certified Phlebotomy Technician, and Certified CPR Instructor. As Lead Instructor for the Medical Assistant Program, she brings over 15 years of cumulative experience in medical assisting, externship coordination, curriculum management, and accreditation support. Delilah is deeply committed to enriching the lives of students and helping them overcome barriers that impact their learning. Her optimum goal is student success.
Dr. Isaac Gold, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics & Finance
Having earned his doctoral and master’s degrees in mathematics, Dr. Gold has several years of experience in academia, including his roles as Department Chair, Director, and Faculty. In addition, Dr. Gold has a master’s degree in management, which, combined with his higher education administrative experience, including his role as the founding president of American Islamic College, contributes to his success as faculty in the Department of Mathematics & Finance.
Ms. Marguel Hurtado Moreno, DDS, RDA
Dental Assistant Program Instructor & Externship Coordinator
Ms. Marguel Hurtado Moreno received her Doctor in Dental Surgery at the University El Bosque in Columbia. Marguel is a Registered Dental Assistant and has been working in the dental field for over five years, bringing her real-world experience from being a Dental Assistant into the classroom. Her goal is to prepare students for success in the dental field by combining practical skills with strong theoretical foundations.
Ms. Huda Husseini, MS
Adjunct Instructor, Department of Physical Sciences
With a master’s degree in chemistry obtained from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2012, Ms. Husseini has contributed her knowledge of chemistry at Hikma Pharmaceuticals and Eclipse Publishing Company. In addition, Ms. Husseini is recognized for making science accessible to today’s students through her innovative teaching strategies at such institutions as the University of Illinois at Chicago, the College Preparatory School of America, and Northwest Suburban College.
Ms. Shazia Ilyas, MS
Instructor, Department of Language & Literacy
Having earned a master’s degree in creative writing and literature from Harvard University and bachelor’s degrees in English and philosophy from Roosevelt University Chicago, Shazia has worked in education for over a decade. In addition to teaching at various levels, she has served as a dean and administrator at multiple higher education institutions, including NWSC. Today, she returns to NWSC to teach in the Department of Language & Literacy.
Ms. Amber Jacob, CCMA, CET, CPT
Medical Assistant Program Instructor
Ms. Amber Jacob is a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant, Certified Phlebotomy Technician, and Certified EKG Technician. She has over a decade of experience in the allied health field as a Medical Assistant and Patient Care Technician and has diverse experience in the field, including various medical specialties like cardiology and GI. She eagerly shares her enriching experience and enthusiasm with her students while teaching.
Ms. Sena Kinkle, CMA
Medical Assistant Program Director, Instructor & Externship Coordinator
Ms. Sena Kinkle has been working in the healthcare ambulatory setting for over 16 years. She is a highly skilled Medical Assistant in both clinical and office settings, and her skills include patient care, phlebotomy, EKG, minor surgery, medical record-keeping, and knowledge of CPT, ICD-10 codes, and HIPAA. She has worked in multiple healthcare settings across the state and educated patients on pre-surgical protocols such as medication regimens, fasting, and other instructions. She enjoys teaching and serving students.
Mr. Anthony McIntosh, BA, MPH
Assistant Professor, Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences
Mr. Anthony McIntosh is a PhD student specializing in social epidemiology and the social determinants of health. He has over six years of teaching experience in public health and has held leadership roles within the Department of Surgery at both Loyola University Chicago and Northwestern University, contributing to initiatives focused on improving health outcomes and addressing disparities.
Ms. Fatema R. Mirza, MBA, MPA
Instructor, Department of Health Sciences
Ms. Fatema Mirza utilizes her MBA in health services management from Keller Graduate School and MPA in nonprofit management to serve as Board President of Worry-Free Home Care, Principal Consultant at Worry-Free Health, and Associate Director at Atlantis Health Group. With over 20 years of experience in the healthcare sector, Ms. Mirza also serves as faculty in the NWSC Department of Health Sciences.
Mr. Edgar Montalvo, MBA, MCE
Instructor, Department of Mathematics & Finance
Edgar Montalvo not only serves as NWSC’s Vice President of Finance & Budgeting, but he is also faculty in the Department of Mathematics & Finance. He received his MBA from the University of Chicago and a master’s degree in civil engineering from Norwich University. Mr. Montalvo has served in various capacities including Economic Officer/Military Liaison for the U.S. Army, Department of State and Program Manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Having years of experience as a financial officer, Mr. Montalvo now serves as President and Chief Executive Officer at Kirkuk Global, in addition to his roles at NWSC.
Dr. Gayathree Raman, PhD
Instructor, Department of Biological Sciences
Dr. Gayathree Raman has a master’s degree in medical laboratory technology and a PhD in molecular biology. She has more than five years of experience at NWSC serving under various administrative roles and assisting Program Directors, Faculty, and Externship Coordinators with regard to externships, advising, student affairs, accreditation, career placement services, and institutional and financial aid.
Mr. Don Rey, MBA
Adjunct Faculty, Department of Health Science
Don Rey is an accomplished finance and healthcare administration professional with more than 30 years of combined experience in higher education, managed care leadership, and corporate strategic development. He currently serves as an Assistant Teaching Professor of Finance at Roosevelt University, where he teaches full-time, supports student success through mentoring and tutoring, and serves on the Faculty Senate and Faculty Dispute Resolution Committee. Prior to his current role, Mr. Rey served for 17 years as full-time faculty at Robert Morris University, contributing extensively to curriculum development, outcomes assessment, and academic governance, including service as President of the Academic Council and recipient of the Sam Walton Fellowship. His professional leadership spans multiple healthcare systems, including corporate vice president roles overseeing managed care strategy, contract negotiation, and network development for multi-hospital organizations. Mr. Rey holds an MBA in Finance from Keller Graduate School of Management and a BS in Psychology from John Carroll University.
Dr. Ghazi M. Sarhan, PhD
Professor, Department of Mathematics & Finance
Dr. Ghazi Sarhan is an experienced mathematics educator with a PhD in Mathematics Education from Holy State University. He has taught both developmental and undergraduate math courses in face-to-face, blended, and online formats across multiple institutions, including Dominican University, Triton College, Roosevelt University, and Robert Morris University. Dr. Sarhan employs diverse teaching techniques to engage students effectively and has a proven track record of high student evaluations, curriculum development, and mentoring new faculty. In addition, he has initiated partnerships with local schools to promote advanced math learning. Prior to his academic career, Dr. Sarhan worked as a civil/environmental engineer. He is a member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) and the American Society of Civil Engineers and has been recognized for excellence in teaching.
Dr. Mohammad Siddiqi, PhD
Professor, Department of Language & Literacy
In addition to earning a graduate degree in physics, Dr. Mohammed Siddiqi earned a master’s degree in mass communication from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a doctoral degree in the same field from Temple University. His extensive experience ranges from serving as Executive Director of the Sound Vision Foundation to his roles as a key administrator at various universities, including Dean of Academic & Student Affairs at NWSC. Today, Dr. Siddiqi continues to contribute to the NWSC community as faculty in the Department of Language & Literacy.
Dr. Stefan Stefanoski, PhD
Professor, Department of Physical Sciences
Dr. Stefanoski is a physicist and engineering educator with extensive experience in physics, renewable energy, and applied materials science. He earned his PhD in Applied Physics from the University of South Florida and holds a Project Management Professional certification. Dr. Stefanoski currently serves as a Lecturer in Physics and Engineering and has previously held appointments as Associate and Assistant Professor at Benedictine University. Dr. Stefanoski has taught a broad range of undergraduate and graduate courses, including algebra- and calculus-based physics, modern physics, thermodynamics, physical chemistry, astronomy, and renewable energy systems.
His research and professional work focuses on batteries, solar photovoltaic systems, and materials for energy applications, with projects spanning the United States and Africa. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and contributed to scholarly books in the field of energy materials. In addition to his academic roles, Dr. Stefanoski has industry experience as a battery development consultant and has held prestigious research appointments, including a Carnegie Postdoctoral Fellowship. His teaching, research, and service emphasize hands-on learning, sustainability, and the integration of physics and engineering to address real-world energy challenges.
Ms. Cynthia Stong, MS
Assistant Professor, Department of Health Science
Cynthia Stong joined NWSC as the Director of Admissions & Marketing with more than 23 years of experience in enrollment management, teaching, and higher education leadership. Cynthia has most recently served as the Executive Director of ADP Programs at Concordia University Chicago. She was also the Online Enrollment Manager for Indiana State University, where she developed and managed the enrollment processes, resulting in a 200% increase in the online student population over a span of 5 years.
Cynthia has taught management, marketing, merchandising, and seminar/capstone classes for Indiana State University in both residential and online sections in the B.S. in Textiles & Apparel Management program. Additionally, she has worked closely with the Indiana Commission for Higher Education in regards to their “You Can Go Back” initiative, as well as the Indiana Council for Continuing Education. Education is important to Cynthia, as she is a non-traditional student herself. She completed a B.S. in Business from Capella University and an M.S. in Human Resources Development from Indiana State University. Cynthia is currently completing an M.B.A. and pursing a D.B.A in the future.