Elgin Community College Names Student Leadership for 2025-2026 Academic Year

News story previous slide News story next slide News story previous slide News story next slide

Elgin Community College (ECC) has announced its three new student leaders for the 2025-26 academic year. Daniel Gidlund was elected as student trustee for the District 509 Board of Trustees. Angelica Palomar will serve as president of ECC’s Student Body Government, with Eric Rangel serving as vice president. 

Student Trustee: Daniel Gidlund

Daniel Gidlund, a first-generation college student from Algonquin, Illinois, spent a semester studying film at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee before realizing it was not the right path for him.

Once at ECC, Gidlund became involved in ECC’s Center for Civic Engagement and student life, thanks to encouragement from Associate Professor of History Antonio Ramirez. Soon after, Coordinator of Student Life Gaea Moy encouraged Gidlund to run for student trustee.

As student trustee, Gidlund hopes to raise awareness among students about the board's functions, represent their interests, and provide reports on student activities.

“I feel this obligation to educate people on what the board does,” he said. “I’ve talked to some people who don’t know we have a board of trustees or what that really means. I think the main responsibility is just thinking constantly about what students would want.”

Gidlund is also involved in student body government and contributes to campus improvement projects. 

He plans to graduate with an Associate in Arts degree in spring 2026 and pursue a bachelor’s degree in either politics or teaching. He is considering attending Aurora University, but expects to take a gap year first.  

Student Government President: Angelica Palomar

Angelica Palomar is an Elgin, Illinois, resident who chose ECC for its affordability, class sizes, and community atmosphere. She received her associate degree in summer 2025 and is currently pursuing her paralegal certificate, which she expects to complete next spring. Her career goals include working as a paralegal,  earning a bachelor’s degree in public policy, and eventually attending law school. 

Palomar was initially inspired to join the student body government as secretary by professor Ramirez. Now that she is president, she hopes to create a welcoming environment within the organization.

“I just had a really strong desire to serve students, because with everything going on at the federal level, I wanted our school at the very least to be a place where everybody from all walks of life can feel welcome,” she said.

Now as president, Palomar looks forward to meeting more club leaders and students during her year as president.

Student Government Vice President Eric Rangel 

Elgin resident Eric Rangel originally considered Harper College, until he realized ECC was so close to home. Rangel is studying business, but also has aspirations to be a paramedic. He previously worked as a pharmacy technician for two years and plans to graduate in the summer of 2026. 

Inspired by friends Palomar and Gidlund, Rangel decided to run for vice president. 

“I was honestly very conflicted because I have so much work outside of school,” Rangel said. He holds two part-time jobs as a remote accountant and a restaurant server. 

“One day, I got home from work at 10 pm and sat down,” he said. “I thought this could be a great opportunity that my friends are offering me, so I opened up my laptop and wrote my statement.”

As vice president, Rangel will assist the president, fill in during absences, and oversee the electoral campaign. The student government recently had its first meeting, which included interviewing new club proposals. This academic year, he hopes to engage more with the student body. 

After he graduates from ECC with his associate degree, Rangel plans to pursue an internship and possibly transfer to the University of Chicago. He hopes to practice real estate on the side, while also becoming a licensed EMT.