College of DuPage honored five outstanding alumni during the annual 5 Under 5 celebration, which recognizes graduates who have made significant contributions to their communities, professions and fields of study within five years of completing their degrees or transferring. 

Hosted by COD’s Alumni Engagement office during a recent ceremony in the Student Services Center Atrium on campus in Glen Ellyn, the five alumni recognized this year are Stephanie Chavez, Mitchell Pfefferman, Marla Portillo, Zachary Rahn and Kenneth Washburn.  

Chavez earned her Associate in Arts degree from COD in 2024 and was named one of the College's outstanding graduates. A first-generation college graduate, she completed her bachelor’s degree at Elmhurst University and currently serves as National Education Association Aspiring Educators chairperson.  

Pfefferman is an analyst in ETF operations at Amplify ETFs. Working within the financial services industry, he supports the operations of exchange-traded funds and contributes to the success of innovative investment solutions. He graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in finance from the University of Tampa.  

Portillo started at COD and transferred to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. She currently works as a chemical process engineer at Solstice Advanced Materials, where she applies technical expertise to support complex industrial processes and operational excellence. 

Rahn earned both an Associate in Applied Science in Horticulture and a Greenhouse Management certificate and was named one of COD’s outstanding graduates in 2021. He is the project director at Hinsdale Nurseries, where he oversees landscape and horticultural projects and coordinates installation teams.  

Washburn has worked in education for over two decades and earned an Associate in Applied Science in Cosmetology from COD. He currently is the principal of education and lead barber educator at both Pivot Point Academy and Wahn Barber Academy. He also serves on the Board of Directors for America’s Beauty Show by Cosmetologists Chicago.  

View photos from the 5 Under 5 event. 

Learn more about the Alumni Engagement program at College of DuPage.