2024 - Elgin Community College’s First Ophthalmic Technician Class Graduates this Spring

In the fall of 2019, Elgin Community College launched an ophthalmic technician program that was developed after local health care organizations reached out to ECC to help with regional demand. On May 18, ECC’s inaugural ophthalmic technician class will graduate. 

“I can’t even describe how excited I am for these first students to go out into the world where the ophthalmic community is waiting,” said Shelby Stanley, ophthalmic technician program director. “They’re needed, and now they’re well-prepared, which is so important.”

Lori Marco, assistant professor of the ophthalmic technician program, was a driving force alongside Stanley in developing and building the new program. 

“It’s been a lot of work building this program from scratch, but Shelby and I have been a great team,” Marco said. “I’ve loved every minute of it and am so excited to see our students graduate. This degree is good for people who do not want to or cannot complete four years of college. Health care is a field that will always be there, and this career is in high demand.”

ECC’s first ophthalmic technician graduate class comes from different backgrounds, but they have the same goal and, throughout the past two years, have come together to support one another in crossing the finish line onto the commencement stage as a team. Here are some of their stories.

Kawla Jane Ballesteros, Pingree Grove, Ill.

Kawla Jane Ballesteros knew she wanted to work in the medical field because most of her family had taken that route and found success. After being waitlisted for the nursing program, Kawla, who is also a single mom, jumped on the opportunity to enroll in ECC’s ophthalmic technician program when it opened for registration. She knew waiting to start her career wasn’t an option.

“There’s so much knowledge about the eyes, and I like that it’s the sole focus,” Ballesteros said. “Graduating means so much because this program wasn’t easy, but I still made it and couldn’t have done it without my classmates.”

Ballesteros also has an offer from a local clinic where she completed one of her clinical rotations, and she is grateful that employers are ready to take them directly out of school.

Kenya Hernandez, Elgin, Ill.

Kenya Hernandez enrolled in the program because ophthalmic technicians are in high demand in health care, and ECC began offering its two-year degree, which appealed to Hernandez. As a native Spanish speaker, she’s also motivated to be an individual in health care who can connect with and represent her community. 

“I really love this program because you get to learn and practice the skills that most clinical sites want in you,” Hernandez said. “I feel like this career path will also help me learn a lot because you interact with all kinds of people from all sorts of cultures.”

As one of the first tech grads, Hernandez has enjoyed learning alongside her teachers and has become close with her small group of peers. “We have become very close, and it feels good knowing we are part of a new career opportunity here at ECC,” Hernandez said.

Daisy Solorzano, Elgin, Ill.

Having previously worked in eye care, Daisy Solorzano came to ECC’s program to find a place in the field where she could care for patients. In her previous role, she worked to sell frames.

“In ophthalmology, you have more of a connection and learn more about the medical aspect of it rather than just trying to hit a sales point with glasses,” Solorzano said. “I’ve learned so much in this program.”

Solorzano plans to accept a job offer she’s already received after graduation.

ECC’s ophthalmic technician program is a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree program for ophthalmic technician students. The program trains students in the new, state-of-the-art lab space, including a classroom and lab space for two examination lanes, two diagnostic exam rooms, and leading-edge equipment.

After completing their degree, ECC students are prepared to take the Certified Ophthalmic Technician (COT) exam to become officially certified.

For more information on ECC’s Ophthalmic Technician program, visit elgin.edu/eyetech.