Community

Police officer handing a child something

We are proud to serve our students and our community members!

At Elgin Community College, our commitment extends beyond academic excellence. We actively engage with our communities to foster relationships and partnerships that benefit everyone involved.

Our Board of Trustees, students, faculty, and staff work with local non-profits, school districts, and businesses through intentional collaboration.
We participate in events that support and enhance the work of these organizations.
Continuous efforts are made to identify and address community needs through meaningful collaborations and partnerships.
We coordinate our resources to make a positive impact in our community.
Discover the programs and benefits ECC offers our community members, contributing to their growth and success.

Photos of our Board of Trustees, students, faculty, and staff community engagement.

Green mobile library van with students and kids outdoors. — The Gail Borden Public Library’s mobile unit visited campus, providing local residents with the opportunity to check out books and access library resources. The visit reflected a shared commitment to community service and expanded access to learning and enrichment opportunities.

ECC Board of Trustees Engagement — Trustees actively engaged with the community, serving residents in their roles as elected officials and demonstrating a strong dedication to their service to the college through participation in local events, initiatives, and partnerships that support the district.

Elgin Area Chamber in Grand Victoria Casino on 2/13/2025 — ECC's president, Dr. Peggy Heinrich, is an active leader within the educational community, serving on the Alignment Collaborative for Education, the Golden Corridor Family YMCA, the Elgin Area Chamber, and ECC’s Illinois Small Business Development Center.

ECC police chief Kintz participates at the First Responders Round Table in Burlington, Illinois — ECC employees regularly participate in community events, volunteering their time and engaging with residents to support local initiatives and strengthen local relationships.

Helping residents in need — As part of our commitment to community support, food assistance was provided to 8,065 families through a partnership with the Northern Illinois Food Bank, with distribution hosted on campus.

Female receiving job search assistance at the ECC job fair. — Elgin Community College’s employment assistance program supports community members by providing help with résumé writing, interview preparation, and job readiness skills. As part of the college’s broader commitment to community service, the program also connects individuals to free or low-cost training opportunities through Workforce Development, helping participants develop new skills, pursue career pathways, and contribute to strengthening the local workforce.

Elgin Community College police officer at table offering a stuffed animal to a kid. — This past year, Elgin Community College brought its mission to enhance lives through learning into the community by participating in several National Night Out events across neighborhoods within District 509. Through these events, ECC connected with residents, shared information about educational opportunities and resources, and strengthened relationships with local families, organizations, and community partners.

A bank teller behind a computer screen is interacting with someone dressed in a warrior costume. — Spartacus visited the KCT branch at Elgin Community College to learn more about upcoming free document shredding events, which offer community members a safe and convenient way to dispose of sensitive paperwork.

ECC employees participate at National Night Out in Batavia, Illinois. — We supported the community through in-kind donations to local organizations, including fee waivers, sponsorships, and assistance with costs associated with hosting community events.

A woman and two teens choose school backpacks at an event in the ECC gym. — Elgin Community College and its community partners supported over 1,000 students through Project Backpack, an initiative that helps local students start their educational journey with essential school supplies. ECC students can also receive backpacks through the Spartan Pantry on campus.

Kids in an outdoor setting help make the concert with an interactive musical group — ECC hosts occasional on-campus events for families, such as outdoor concerts, resource fairs, and other activities designed to bring the community together and create welcoming campus experiences.

ECC students volunteering in the local community — Participating in service opportunities provides students with a meaningful and rewarding experience that supports both personal and professional growth. Through service, students develop leadership and teamwork skills, build confidence, and take on new challenges outside the classroom. These experiences also enable students to make a positive impact in their community while acquiring valuable skills that carry over into their academic and professional journeys.

These numbers represent involvement and may reflect a duplicated headcount for the Board of Trustees, employees, and students in FY2022.

Community Partners, Resources, and Services

Report to the Community

The annual Community Report provides insights into news, financial analysis, and academic programs that drive student success and community impact. This publication is a comprehensive, data-driven report illustrating ECC’s commitment to its vision, mission, and purpose through an engaging storytelling approach.

Open current issue

2024 Report to the Community - PDF

Download past issues of the Report to the Community

Community Suggestion Box

Please share your ideas to improve ECC! Suggestions from students, employees, and the community are welcomed and forwarded to the Planning Department and Process Improvement Team (PIT).

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Contact

Community Engagement Department

Building B, Room B215
847-214-7769
kajimenez@elgin.edu