NCC professor named State Department alumni ambassador
Quanisha Charles, an associate professor of English at North Central College in Naperville, has been selected by the U.S. Department of State as an alumni ambassador for English Language Programs.
Charles is one of only 10 English Language Program alumni chosen to be part of the 2024-25 Alumni Ambassador cohort, a news release from the State Department said.
She will represent English Language Programs at conferences and events around the country for the next year. Selected ambassadors are chosen yearly to share their stories and showcase the diversity of the English Language Programs community, the release said.
Charles has more than 15 years of experience teaching the English language and composition courses in the United States and abroad. Her teaching experience includes jobs in South Korea, China, Vietnam and virtually in Lebanon, the news release said. She has worked with private colleges, public universities and professional organizations.
She also serves on the TESOL Journal editorial board and as an advocacy leader in TESOL’s Social Responsibility Interest Section. The TESOL International Association provides the tools and resources needed in teaching English around the world.
NAMI DuPage holding ‘Run for the Mind’ fundraiser Sept. 14
“Run for the Mind,” a 5K race, 1-mile color run and a diaper dash, will be held Saturday, Sept. 14, at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton to raise funds for NAMI DuPage.
The 5K race kicks off at 8 a.m. followed by the diaper dash for children 3 and younger at 9:30 a.m. and the 1-mile color run at 10 a.m.
The 5K race will be chip-timed, and awards given to the top man and woman overall and in various age groups, a news release said. Participants will receive a commemorative T-shirt and a post-race breakfast.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness DuPage, which supports those with mental illness and their families, is partnering with Serenity House Counseling Services Inc. and the DuPage Prevention Leadership Team on the event.
Proceeds will help fund the free support groups, programs and classes by NAMI DuPage.
Register to participate at www.namidupage.org/run-for-the-mind.
Naperville Woman’s Club planning annual Witches Night Out
More than 500 witches are expected to take part in the Naperville Woman’s Club’s annual Witches Night Out fundraiser, set for Thursday, Oct. 17, at the Matrix Club in Naperville.
The event is open to women 21 and older. Participants can don gowns, crowns, pearls, heels and other items to vie for the most glamorous witch award or opt for pointed hats, capes and more traditional witch attire, a news release said.
Awards also will be presented for most original and creative witch and best presentation and showmanship.
Tickets for the event, scheduled for 5 to 10:30 p.m., start at $85 for a buffet dinner, desserts, adult drinks, dancing and photo opportunities. The event also includes raffle baskets, a wine pull, vendors and tarot card readers.
Proceeds support the Woman’s Club’s scholarships and local charitable endeavors in art, education and community service. Anyone who brings a canned good to donate to Loaves and Fishes will receive a free raffle ticket.
For more information, go to www.witchesnightoutnaperville.org.
