Maria H. Coons
Chief of Staff, VP - Institutional Planning and Strategic Alliances
Harper College
Maria is the past president of the Barrington Breakfast Rotary Club 2016-2017
During her 30-year career at Harper College, Maria H. Coons has served in many capacities. She was appointed to her current role in 2016, to lead workforce and economic development initiatives, and oversee strategic partnerships in high-growth areas, support small business development and adult learning strategies. Since then, she's procured more than $25 million in workforce grants for Harper, created a fast-track program that allows part-time adult students to complete a degree in two years, led the creation of a 10-year campus master plan to prioritize $200 million in capital improvements, and spearheaded a long list of special projects. As a member of the executive council and president's cabinet, she's formulated and implemented policies and operational strategies to ensure that the school's priorities are met. Away from work, she's a past president of the Barrington Breakfast Rotary Club, a member of the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce and the Chicago Metra Citizen's Advisory Board. She serves on the board of the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers and is a school ambassador for Jane Addams Elementary School in Palatine.