Why Omar Naser Chose JALC Twice
Published on April 28, 2026
For Omar Naser of Carbondale, John A. Logan College was not just where his college journey began. It was a place he chose twice.
After high school, Naser enrolled at JALC to begin his college experience, drawn by its affordability, smaller class sizes and proximity to home. Like many students, he was still figuring out what he wanted to do, but JALC gave him the space to explore.
That exploration led him to a program he had never considered before.
While attending a campus event showcasing academic programs, Naser was introduced to diagnostic cardiac sonography. Watching real-time images of the heart sparked his interest, and from that moment, his path began to take shape.
He went on to complete the program and entered the workforce, spending two years in Chicago using his degree in a clinical setting.
But it was that experience that ultimately brought him back.
Working with patients, Naser saw first-hand the challenges many faced when it came to access to care, especially when insurance limited their options. Those moments shifted his perspective on what he wanted to do long-term.
“I thought, why not go back to school, get my bachelor’s, and get into the administrative side of things and hopefully be able to be one of those people to make a change,” he said.
So he returned to John A. Logan College, this time with a clearer goal.
Now pursuing a degree in biological science, Naser is preparing to transfer to Southern Illinois University Carbondale to study health administration. His decision to come back to JALC was intentional.
He said the college’s affordability, strong professor-to-student ratio and supportive environment made it the right fit both times.
His second experience at JALC looked very different from the first.
The first time, he mostly went to class and headed home. This time, he got involved, joining clubs, connecting with others and taking advantage of the resources around him.
“I wasn’t involved in any clubs the first time,” he said. “Now I’m involved in about 10, and it’s a lot more enjoyable.”
That shift changed everything.
Through his work as a biology tutor, Naser also found a passion for helping others succeed. He enjoyed guiding students through difficult concepts and seeing the moment when things finally clicked.
“There’s nothing like that light bulb moment when a student finally gets it,” he said.
That experience reinforced the value of connection, something he believes is one of JALC’s greatest strengths.
“I never went around without being greeted with a smile, a wave, a hello,” he said.
Academically, his time at JALC helped him grow in ways he did not expect. He learned how to study, stay organized and, most importantly, ask for help when he needed it.
“Because of John A. Logan College, I learned to help myself,” he said.
Now, as he prepares for the next step in his education, Naser carries with him both the skills and perspective he gained along the way.
For Naser, JALC was not just where he started. It was a place worth coming back to.