Dr. Mark L. Hopkins “Lightning Rod”

Mark Hopkins, a dynamic and proactive leader, served as the President of Elgin Community College from 1975 to 1982. Always advocating for the best interests of the college and its faculty, Hopkins was recalled by Lynn Willett as a transformative figure who changed the college's direction.

During his presidency, Hopkins focused on two key initiatives: increasing attention to the Latino community and expanding community outreach. Under his leadership, the Community Outreach for Placement and Assessment (COPA) was created, promoting collaboration with Latino and other minority groups.

A major goal for Hopkins was securing grants. He understood that ECC had not received its fair share of federal and state funding, so he worked to improve that. His outreach efforts included using non-credit community education to promote the college and increase credit enrollment.

Hopkins reached notable milestones, such as launching 20 new instructional programs, securing $3 million in grants, and doubling college enrollment. His energetic leadership made a lasting impact on Elgin Community College during a crucial period in its history.