Harper College Executive and Leadership Team

September, 2026

Leadership Overview

Harper College has 7 executives leading key functions including information technology, human resources, external affairs, and institutional strategy.

Dedicated to academic excellence and community advancement, Harper College provides accessible education and workforce development programs to the Northwest Chicago Region through innovative learning environments and strategic partnerships.

Leadership Roles at Harper College

  • President - Avis Proctor
  • President - Kenneth Ender
  • Chief Information Officer - Riaz Yusuff
  • Interim Chief Human Resources Officer - Stephanie Wemusa
  • Chief Human Resources Officer - Erika Hartman
  • Chief Human Resources Officer - Amanda Duval
  • Chief of Staff & Vice President, External Affairs - Jeffery Julian
  • Avis Proctor - President

    Avis Proctor, the President at Harper College, provides overarching strategic vision and executive leadership for the entire academic institution. Overseeing the implementation of the college mission, financial planning, and academic quality standards, the President ensures the institution remains a leader in community education. Avis Proctor architects long-term growth strategies that address the changing needs of the Northwest Chicago Region. By fostering a culture of innovation and student success, the President drives improvements in graduation rates and workforce readiness. This leadership role involves representing the college to external donors, government officials, and community partners. Through rigorous oversight of institutional performance, the President maintains fiscal health and operational excellence. Ultimately, Proctor guides the college toward achieving its goals of accessibility, equity, and academic rigor, ensuring the institution continues to serve as a vital resource for the local community.

    Kenneth Ender - President

    Kenneth Ender, the President at Harper College, focuses on the expansion of academic programs and the development of state-of-the-art campus facilities to support modern learning. Overseeing capital projects, endowment growth, and institutional accreditation, the President ensures the college maintains high standards of educational delivery. Kenneth Ender architects collaborative initiatives with regional businesses to create specialized training programs that meet current labor market demands. By prioritizing student-centered services and support systems, the President improves retention and completion rates across diverse student populations. This leadership role involves engaging with the Board of Trustees to set the strategic direction for future campus development. Through the promotion of lifelong learning, the President strengthens the connection between the college and the broader community. Ultimately, Ender drives the institutional legacy by ensuring the college remains a cornerstone of educational opportunity and economic advancement in the region.
    Kenneth Ender

    Riaz Yusuff - Chief Information Officer

    Riaz Yusuff, the Chief Information Officer at Harper College, directs the digital infrastructure and technological framework supporting the entire campus ecosystem. Overseeing cybersecurity protocols, data management systems, and academic software integration, the Chief Information Officer ensures seamless connectivity for students and faculty across the Northwest Chicago Region. Riaz Yusuff architects scalable cloud solutions that modernize administrative workflows and enhance classroom engagement. By aligning technical investments with institutional goals, the Chief Information Officer drives digital transformation initiatives that improve operational efficiency. This leadership role involves constant collaboration with academic departments to implement advanced learning tools. Through rigorous oversight of network integrity and hardware procurement, the Chief Information Officer maintains a robust environment for research and instruction. Ultimately, Yusuff secures the technological foundation necessary for long-term academic success and institutional growth within the competitive higher education landscape.
    Riaz Yusuff

    Stephanie Wemusa - Interim Chief Human Resources Officer

    Stephanie Wemusa, the Interim Chief Human Resources Officer at Harper College, manages temporary workforce transitions and organizational development during critical periods of institutional change. Overseeing talent acquisition strategies, employee relations, and benefits administration, the Interim Chief Human Resources Officer ensures compliance with labor regulations while fostering a supportive workplace culture. Stephanie Wemusa executes recruitment initiatives that attract diverse faculty and staff to the Palatine campus. By streamlining onboarding processes and performance management systems, the Interim Chief Human Resources Officer optimizes human capital utilization across all departments. This leadership role involves frequent coordination with executive leadership to address staffing needs and professional development requirements. Through careful analysis of workforce trends, the Interim Chief Human Resources Officer maintains organizational stability. Ultimately, Wemusa stabilizes internal operations to support the broader mission of providing high-quality community education.

    Erika Hartman - Chief Human Resources Officer

    Erika Hartman, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Harper College, designs long-term talent management strategies and comprehensive compensation structures for the entire institution. Overseeing labor negotiations, policy development, and employee engagement programs, the Chief Human Resources Officer cultivates a high-performance environment for all staff members. Erika Hartman architects professional development pathways that align with the evolving needs of the Northwest Chicago Region workforce. By implementing advanced HR information systems, the Chief Human Resources Officer improves data-driven decision-making regarding staffing and retention. This leadership role involves active participation in strategic planning sessions to ensure human capital initiatives support institutional growth. Through consistent application of equity and inclusion standards, the Chief Human Resources Officer strengthens the organizational culture. Ultimately, Hartman drives the human resources agenda to ensure the college attracts and retains top-tier talent for academic excellence.

    Amanda Duval - Chief Human Resources Officer

    Amanda Duval, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Harper College, focuses on internal organizational health and the optimization of administrative workflows for faculty and staff. Overseeing health and wellness initiatives, workplace safety protocols, and conflict resolution frameworks, the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures a productive and safe environment. Amanda Duval executes comprehensive training programs that enhance the pedagogical and administrative capabilities of the workforce. By refining performance evaluation metrics, the Chief Human Resources Officer aligns individual contributions with the overarching goals of the college. This leadership role involves close partnership with department heads to identify and address operational bottlenecks. Through the development of robust internal communication strategies, the Chief Human Resources Officer fosters transparency and collaboration across the campus. Ultimately, Duval strengthens the institutional infrastructure by prioritizing the professional growth and well-being of the entire college community.

    Jeffery Julian - Chief of Staff & Vice President, External Affairs

    Jeffery Julian, the Chief of Staff & Vice President, External Affairs at Harper College, manages high-level institutional communications and government relations across the Northwest Chicago Region. Overseeing community outreach, public policy advocacy, and strategic partnerships, the Chief of Staff & Vice President, External Affairs ensures the college maintains strong ties with local stakeholders. Jeffery Julian architects engagement campaigns that highlight the impact of the institution on regional economic development. By coordinating with legislative bodies and industry leaders, the Chief of Staff & Vice President, External Affairs secures support for critical academic initiatives. This leadership role involves facilitating executive decision-making processes and managing the flow of information to the Board of Trustees. Through proactive public relations efforts, the Chief of Staff & Vice President, External Affairs enhances the reputation of the college. Ultimately, Julian drives external visibility and resource acquisition to support long-term institutional sustainability.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Harper College Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Harper College?
    Harper College is led by Avis Proctor (President), along with executives such as Kenneth Ender (President) and Riaz Yusuff (Chief Information Officer).
    Who is part of Harper College’s executive team?
    The executive team of Harper College includes leaders such as Avis Proctor (President), Kenneth Ender (President), Riaz Yusuff (Chief Information Officer) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Harper College have?
    Harper College has 7 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Harper College’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Harper College includes roles such as President, President, Chief Information Officer, Interim Chief Human Resources Officer, Chief Human Resources Officer.