Impact - “Bright Future” campaign empowers students to succeed

Elgin Community College Foundation initiated the public phase of a student-centered “Bright Futures” fundraising campaign in December 2023 to help more students achieve their dreams. Despite the affordability and accessibility offered by community colleges, many students increasingly require assistance to persist in pursuing higher education.

Bright Futures, which provided scholarships for 372 students in the last year, directly addresses students' needs through personalized coaching, financial support, and other resources. Students come to ECC with unique stories and dreams that guide their educational pursuits. With support from Bright Futures, scholarship recipients have the drive and determination to reach their goals, find their futures, and seal their paths to success.

The Bright Futures initiative also aims to strengthen the workforce in the surrounding region. Financial support is provided to many students focused on careers that meet critical workforce needs, including health care, truck driving, automotive mechanics, welding specialists, and more. Here are three students who have benefitted from recent foundation support.

Brenda Rogel

Like many first-generation college students, ECC student Brenda Rogel initially felt uncertain about navigating college and nervous about the financial burden it placed solely on her shoulders. However, a scholarship from the ECC Foundation gave her the financial assistance she needed and infused her with the confidence necessary to thrive.

“Thanks to the ECC Foundation and donors, I have the opportunity to have an education and dream big with my eyes open,” Rogel said.

Building upon her commitment to ECC, Rogel took on the role of treasurer for the student body government this past year. She is on track to graduate with an Associate in Arts degree and plans to transfer to a four-year university to pursue accounting.

Elija Miskic

Elija Miskic began the welding program at ECC in the spring of 2022. A scholarship from the ECC Foundation allowed him to take a heavier credit load per semester than he previously thought possible.

“The scholarship reduced the juggling act of my college financial life, allowing me to take more classes without worrying about going into debt,” Miskic said. With less financial strain on his shoulders, Miskic immersed himself further into what welding at ECC could offer him and competed in the Skills USA competition for individual welding and welding sculpture.

Marissa Barker

ECC alum Marissa Barker, of St. Charles, graduated from the college in August of 2021 with an Associate in Science degree and a Vocational Specialist certificate in bookkeeping.

“Receiving this scholarship helped me cross the finish line debt- free, but it also showed me that other people believed in my ability to succeed in school and change my career path,” Barker said.

Securing a job in construction bookkeeping in April of 2022, Barker spent about a year gaining experience before taking the entrepreneurial leap to become her own boss. Collaborating with her former employer, she co-founded MTS Contractor Services, Inc.

She credits ECC for helping her hone her skills in project management and orchestrating various elements from inception to completion.

“ECC armed me with a solid knowledge of accounting and bookkeeping,” Barker said, adding that these skills were essential for managing the administrative aspects of her business.

Continued Success

The Bright Futures campaign has raised well over $2 million with the ultimate goal of $3 million by this fall. This impactful initiative reflects the ECC Foundation's commitment to student success and the economic growth of the Fox Valley region.

“The Bright Futures campaign is helping our students enhance their ability to remain in school, complete their academic course of study, and reach the graduation stage,” said Susan Taylor-Demming, executive director of institutional advancement and the ECC Foundation. “Many of our students remain in the Fox Valley region and strongly contribute to its economy.”