NIU Today, 2/2/2012 (Wheeler Coleman)

Wheeler Coleman Sworn In as NIU Trustee. Thirty-four years removed from his arrival on the campus of Northern Illinois University as a freshman, Wheeler Coleman was sworn in as the university’s newest trustee.

"Less than 34 years ago I was admitted to NIU and I came through these doors wide eyed, naïve and ill-prepared for the academic and social challenges I was about to face," said Trustee Coleman, who grew up on the West Side of Chicago.

"However, with the help of great people – from the faculty, my fellow students and from the administration – I was able to get through this university with a degree in computer science in 1983."

Immediately after graduation, Coleman took a position as a programmer at what was then a small, nearly bankrupt company: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois.He moved into management four years later and was part of the team that built the company into what is now the largest, non-investor owned insurance company in the nation.  He currently holds the position of vice president and chief technology officer at what is now known as Health Care Service Corporation.

NOTE: Wheeler Coleman is a member of our BDPA Chicago chapter and a past winner of BDPA's Career Achievement Epsilon Award.

Health Care Service Corporation, 5/21/2011 (National BDPA)

Diversity. Our employees are the cornerstone of our business and our workforce reflects the diversity of the communities we serve. Ongoing efforts are made to attract, develop and engage our diverse pool ... Key components of diversity and inclusion (D&I) at HCSC include: Employee resource groups (ERGs) – These are voluntary, employee driven groups that support diversity and inclusion goals. These include: African Americans in Motion, Asian American Resource Group, Black Data Processing Associates, Europa, HCSC Pride Alliance, In-Abled, Latinos for Advancement, Supporters of Military Veterans, Voices of Diversity and Women Improving the Strength of the Enterprise (WISE).

Read the full HCSC Diversity story here.

Diversity/Careers Magazine, 11/1/2008 (S.Bridges, M.Haynes, D.Hebner, B.Hedberg, D.Holland, L.Holmes, D.Olivencia, E.Pace, R.Taylor-Nash, J.Weiss)

BDPA Rounds Out Its Third Decade. Atlanta, GA was the setting for the thirtieth annual national technology conference of BDPA (Black Data Processing Associates). The event featured a variety of workshops, panel discussions and technical sessions, and brought together African American IT pros from all parts of the country.

Read the full media story here.

BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois, 9/2/2008 (Will Bundy, Denise Holland)

Health Care Service Corporation Named "The Best Place in the Country to Work for Blacks in Technology". Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), which operates Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL) was recently named the best place in the country to work for blacks in technology by National Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) and WorkplaceDiversity.com.

Read the full BlueCross BlueShield press release here.

The Earth Times, 8/26/08 (Health Care Service Corporation, Will Bundy, Brian Hedberg, Denise Holland)

Health Care Service Corporation Named Best Company for Blacks in Technology. Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) has been named the best place in the country for blacks in technology. The prestigious Epsilon Award is given annually by the National Black Data Processing Associates (BDPA) and WorkplaceDiversity.com. Finalists for the award included top companies such as Allstate, Merck, State Farm, Wal-Mart, WellPoint and Wells Fargo Bank...

Read the full media story here.