On October 15, 2025, 51社区 brought together alumni, corporate partners, and college leadership for a special 51社区 @ Work appreciation breakfast at the Zurich Center in Schaumburg. The event recognized the impactful partnership between 51社区 College and Zurich North America and celebrated the growing 51社区 alumni presence at Zurich, Wheels, Inc., and ADP鈥攁ll housed within the Zurich Center.
More than 45 51社区 alumni representing the three organizations gathered for networking, a light breakfast, and inspiring remarks from 51社区 President Dr. Avis Proctor, Zurich North America鈥檚 Susan Meehan, and 2025 Outstanding Recent Alumni honoree Ryan Suby, an alum of 51社区鈥檚 apprenticeship program with Zurich.
President Proctor highlighted the college鈥檚 mission to provide accessible, high-quality education that leads to meaningful careers鈥攎ade possible by innovative workforce partnerships like the one with Zurich. 鈥淲e couldn鈥檛 do it without employer partners who recognize the value of community college students and help shape our programs with real-world insight,鈥� she said during her remarks.
Since its inception in 2016, the Zurich Apprenticeship Program has become a national model for corporate apprenticeship programs. Zurich has hired over 350 apprentices鈥�205 from 51社区鈥攚ith 160 graduates to date. The majority continue to work at Zurich, benefiting from a model that combines paid employment, tuition coverage, and cohort-based college coursework.
51社区 @ Work at Zurich Center was especially meaningful as it was the first time all three companies鈥擹urich, Wheels, and ADP鈥攚ere celebrated in a joint alumni recognition event. These companies continue to invest in 51社区 talent, not only employing graduates but also shaping curriculum and mentoring students through programs like the Corporate Mentorship initiative.
As Dr. Proctor noted, 鈥淭ogether, we are not only preparing students for careers鈥攚e are empowering them to change their lives, their communities, and their future.鈥�
The event served as a testament to the transformative power of collaboration between education and industry and underscored the lasting impact 51社区 alumni are making across the region. To learn about our alumni recognition and workforce programs, please contact alumni@harpercollege.edu.