Peter Keep, professor of Mathematics at Moraine Valley, had a strong influence on Zurek’s academic path. 鈥淧rofessor Keep directly influenced my decision to major in mathematics,鈥� Zurek said. 鈥淒uring my enrollment, I only knew that I wanted to have a career in the STEM field.鈥�

As he continued his coursework, Zurek deepened his interest in math. Over time, he found that he especially enjoyed statistics 鈥� a branch of mathematics focused on collecting, organizing, analyzing, interpreting and presenting data. He said discovering this area helped lead him toward a career in actuarial science.

After earning an associate in science degree from Moraine Valley in 2019, Zurek transferred to the University of Illinois Chicago. There, he continued studying mathematics and earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree in mathematics. His time at both institutions helped him build a strong foundation in problem solving and analytical thinking.

Today, Zurek works as a senior actuarial analyst at First Chicago Insurance Company, a multiline insurance carrier specialized in affordable personal auto insurance. In his role, he uses math and statistics to evaluate risk and predict uncertain events. His work includes building predictive models and applying actuarial methods to real-world situations that affect business decisions. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a very interesting and challenging career where you get to apply math and statistics in a business setting,鈥� he said.

Zurek recently reached an important milestone by becoming an associate member of the Casualty Actuarial Society. He said membership is something he has been working toward since he was 19. The process requires passing a series of rigorous exams that test knowledge in actuarial topics. 鈥淩igorous exams are administered to prove your mastery of actuarial topics, and I recently passed my seventh exam,鈥� he shared.

Looking back on his experience, Zurek said support from professors played an important role in his success. He encourages current Moraine Valley students to take advantage of the college鈥檚 resources. 鈥淒on鈥檛 be afraid to ask professors for help and join a club,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou can meet people with similar interests during your time at Moraine Valley.鈥�

Zurek’s journey shows how an early interest in STEM, combined with guidance and hard work, can lead to a successful and rewarding career.

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Brown attended Moraine Valley from 2012 to 2014 before transferring to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in European Union studies. Today, she serves as an Impact and Innovation director at the Crisis Center for South Suburbia, the largest domestic violence nonprofit in Chicago’s south suburbs.

A native of Crestwood and graduate of Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School, Brown chose Moraine Valley because she could not justify the cost of a four-year undergraduate degree, especially knowing she planned to pursue graduate studies in the future. This decision allowed her to continue her education while gaining valuable professional experience through a two-year internship with the U.S. Senate.

More than a decade later, one experience at Moraine Valley continues to stand out to Brown. She credits Shelita Shaw, professor of Communications, and her COM-102 course for helping prepare her for the academic challenges she later encountered after transferring. She described Shaw as a professor who maintained clear expectations and high standards 鈥� principles that continue to influence her. 鈥淪he was not difficult 鈥� she had standards. You either met them or you didn鈥檛; that鈥檚 the real world,鈥� Brown said of Shaw鈥檚 teaching style.

鈥淭hose high expectations and the time and energy students needed to put into that class gave me a real 鈥榳ow鈥� moment that set me up for success when I transferred,鈥� Brown continued. 鈥淐OM-102 really gave me a solid foundation to build on and the confidence that I knew what I was doing.鈥� That confidence proved invaluable when she transferred. Brown described the transition as a 鈥渇reezing cold shower,鈥� but said her experience in COM-102 helped prepare her for the increased academic demands she encountered. She later completed her master鈥檚 thesis in 2018, examining the Ukrainian crisis.

Since graduating, Brown has built a career focused on innovation and supporting survivors of domestic violence. From 2018 to 2019, she worked at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public and International Affairs conducting research for the FBI on unmanned aerial vehicles and drones. She later moved back to the Chicagoland area and worked at various nonprofit organizations before arriving at the Crisis Center for South Suburbia in 2021. 鈥淢y work with the Crisis Center is what I鈥檓 most proud of,鈥� Brown said. She has been with the organization for nearly five years.

In her leadership role, Brown focuses on issues related to technology-facilitated abuse and the challenges survivors face in an increasingly digital world. Her expertise recently gained her an international audience when she presented at the University College London Tech Abuse Conference. There, she discussed the digital abuse that survivors experience daily, the challenges of assisting clients and concerns about the rise of artificial intelligence and tech-based harassment.

Despite her professional accomplishments, Brown remains closely connected to her roots. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, watching the Chicago Blackhawks and spending time with her two dogs, including her energetic companion, Pippa. She currently lives in her hometown of Crestwood, not far from the community where her educational journey began.

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SWEC offers education close to home for residents local to Tinley Park in a full-service facility with updated amenities for Basic Nurse Assistant and Nursing courses, modern classrooms, science labs, computer labs, study rooms, cyber cafe lounge, vending machines and Accuplacer testing (placement tests). Located near I-80, SWEC offers convenient transfer and career courses, along with student support services such as financial aid assistance and academic planning.

At the Open House, attendees can explore credit, noncredit, High School Equivalency and English as a second language courses and more than 140 degree and certificate programs, transfer course options and student services.

During the fall 2026 semester, SWEC will offer courses in a range of disciplines, including biology, nursing, computer information systems, communication, language, medical terminology, mathematics, physical education and health, humanities, economics and psychology. Fall credit classes begin Aug. 24 and later.

Those interested in attending the Open House can learn more and register at morainevalley,edu/swec or call (708) 974-5400.

Moraine Valley鈥檚 main campus is in Palos Hills. Community members also can take courses at the Education Center at Blue Island and online. For more information, visit morainevalley.edu.

For media inquiries, contact Madisson Younglove, assistant director of Communications, at (708) 974-5281 or younglovem2@morainevalley.edu.

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鈥淎 Twist in the Tale鈥� is the creation of artist Tatsuki Hakoyama, whose paintings reimagine familiar fables, folklore and fairy tales through a contemporary lens, revealing tensions between the past and present. Through whimsical compositions that merge representational and flat rendering styles, his works reflect cultural and generational shifts in values.

Hakoyama is a Japanese artist based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He earned a Bachelor of Science in art from Central Michigan University and a Master of Fine Arts in painting from Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University, where he is an instructor. He also is an adjunct instructor at Grand Rapids Community College.

Having experienced life in Japan, Samoa and the U.S., Hakoyama鈥檚 work reflects how culture, community and environment impact identity and values. His allegorical figurative paintings often are carefully planned to invoke a sense of mystery and reflect the surreal intricacies embedded within the mundane. For more information on Hakoyama and his work, visit .

The gallery is free and open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets to FPAC shows, visit morainevalley.edu/fpac/tickets or call (708) 974-5500.

For news media inquiries, contact Maura Vizza, Moraine Valley communications specialist and sports information coordinator, at (708) 974-5742 or Vizzam@morainevalley.edu.

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The Moraine Valley Orchestra will play Shakespearean-inspired music prior to the performance of the Bard鈥檚 play, 鈥淩ichard III,鈥� on Saturday, July 18, 6 p.m., outside at the Gateway between the FPAC and Building M.

The Jazz Ensemble will perform a collection of swinging tunes in 鈥淪ummer Sunsets and Sizzlin鈥� Swing!鈥� on Thursday, July 23, 7:30 p.m.

The Moraine Chorale and Chamber Singers will present 鈥淭he Best of Patriotic Music鈥� to celebrate 250 years of the United States on Saturday, July 25, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors and $10 for under 18/veterans.

For more information or to purchase tickets to the Chorale concert or other FPAC shows, visit or call (708) 974-5500.

For news media inquiries, contact Maura Vizza, Moraine Valley communications specialist and sports information coordinator, at (708) 974-5742 or Vizzam@morainevalley.edu.

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Part-time students on the Scholastic Achievement List have a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher, 24 or more credit hours earned and at least a 3.5 grade point average for the semester the distinction is received. Qualified students must earn three to eight credit hours during the semester the distinction is received.

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