806: What Creates Enduring University Partnerships - with Dr. Joianne L. Smith, President, Oakton College, & Anne Brennan, Assistant Vice President Academic Affairs & College Transitions

Joianne L. Smith, Ph.D., is Oakton College’s fourth president. She is dedicated to
increasing student engagement and promoting an inclusive and caring
environment for teaching and learning.

President Smith’s tenure of leadership began on July 1, 2015, following 13 years
of service as Oakton’s dean of students (2002-2004) and vice president for Student Affairs (2005-2015). Before coming to Oakton, she served in administrative roles at Northwestern University and Middlebury College (1999-2001). She’s also worked as a licensed psychologist, a license she still maintains in Illinois.

President Smith has guided Oakton into a period of unprecedented innovation while staying committed to ensuring every student has access to life-changing educational opportunities in a welcoming environment. Under President Smith’s leadership, the college recently adopted its “Vision 2030: Building Just and Thriving Communities” strategic plan, containing the strategic priorities of strengthening the student experience, advancing racial equity, and enhancing workforce readiness and community engagement.

Smith earned her Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Counseling Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University after earning her B.A. degree from Wittenberg University.

Anne O. Brennan has been the assistant vice president of Academic Affairs & College Transitions at Oakton College since 2018. In her role, she spearheads the Early College programs, establishes university transfer partnerships, and collaborates across the institution to facilitate the recognition of prior learning with corresponding college credits.

Prior to her tenure at Oakton, Brennan held various administrative positions at colleges in both Illinois and California, including the University of Southern California, DePaul University, City Colleges of Chicago and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Throughout her career in the field of education, Brennan has played a pivotal role in assisting colleges and high schools with strategic planning. Her contributions encompass the implementation of extensive student support systems, oversight of enrollment processes, advising initiatives, student affairs management and alumni outreach efforts. A consistent focus of her advocacy efforts over the years has revolved around supporting transfer students, particularly in relation to the seamless transfer of their credits in higher education.

Brennan earned her undergraduate degree in Education from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and her master’s degree in Communication from DePaul University. Her college journey commenced at Richard J. Daley College.