Nearly 400 Degrees Awarded at Elgin Community College’s Fall 2025 Commencement Ceremonies

Elgin Community College (ECC) celebrated the achievements of its fall graduates during two commencement ceremonies held on December 13, 2025, in the Building J Events Center at 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, Illinois. In total, the college awarded nearly 400 degrees and certificates, recognizing the hard work, determination, and perseverance of the Fall 2025 class. 

The 10 a.m. ceremony honored students earning Career and Technical degrees and certificates, followed by the 2 p.m. ceremony recognizing students completing Transfer degrees. Both ceremonies highlighted ECC’s commitment to student success and featured remarks from graduates, faculty, and college leaders.

“Students, you have earned your degrees and certificates through hard work, passion, and determination,” said Peggy Heinrich, EdD, president of Elgin Community College. “We know that many of you work, have children or serve as the primary caregiver for someone at home, or finances may have been a struggle, or transportation to get here was a problem, or unexpected barriers and issues arose, but nevertheless, you persevered and made it to this day, and you made it to this stage.  

Graduates Taylor Glover and Erik Martinez are looking forward to immediately starting their careers in their field following graduation. 

“I’m working at a chiropractic office,” Glover said when asked about her plans after ECC. “I’m going to be a massage therapist and chiropractic assistant at AcuCare Total Health in Elgin.” Glover graduated with a vocational certificate in massage therapy. 

Erik Martinez graduated with a certificate in truck driving. He has a job lined up in the Elgin area and is also pursuing his associate degree. 

This year’s two student speakers described their time at ECC as “one of the most transformative experiences in my life” and “my second chance when I thought I had none.” 

Diego Santiago Adrianzen Ruiz, who earned an Associate in Arts, addressed graduates at the Transfer Degree Ceremony, while Naomi Amadei, a nursing graduate, delivered remarks at the Career and Technical Degrees Ceremony.

“Before I close, I want you to remember this: getting here was not easy, but you made it,” Ruiz said during his speech. “You learned you grew, and you pushed through challenges that nobody else may know about. That is something to be proud of.”

In her address, Amadei encouraged graduates to honor their own progress. “People are at their own steps on their own pace, and each of our journeys has our own progress.” She also ended her speech saying: “Every twist and turn on your path, every setback, every perceived failure led you to this moment.”

The faculty speaker at both ceremonies was Nina Ulman, instructor of history and political science, who offered graduates encouragement as they move toward the next chapter in their lives.

“At a time when our society feels more divided than ever, you have already experienced something entirely different at Elgin Community College: an environment where everyone had a seat at the table from day one,” Ulman said in her speech at the Career and Technical degrees and certificates ceremony. “You didn’t have to earn the right to be included. You were included.”

Both ceremonies were livestreamed and be viewed here.