ECC Fall Convocation Focuses on Turning Purpose into Impact

Elgin Community College (ECC) employees gathered for the Fall 2026 Employee Convocation on Thursday, August 20, centered on the theme “Momentum: Turning Purpose into Impact.”

Board of Trustees Chair Jennifer Rakow welcomed employees to the new academic year, followed by ECC President Peggy Heinrich, EdD, who delivered the State of the College address. Pascale Charlot, managing director of the Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program, served as the plenary speaker.

During her address, Heinrich highlighted progress across the college and encouraged employees to build on that momentum by focusing not only on students’ experiences at ECC, but also on their success after they leave.

Early fall enrollment data reflected several positive shifts compared with last fall. The share of students attending full time increased from 24 to 31 percent, while the share of students enrolled in transfer programs increased from 53 to 59 percent. Career and technical education enrollment also grew from 25 to 31 percent. Heinrich also highlighted continued community engagement, new grant funding, and the opening of ECC’s new Manufacturing and Technology Center as examples of the college’s progress.

“We have a responsibility to design ourselves and our services and our programs and our way of supporting students so that their success is almost inescapable,” Heinrich said. “Imagine if we were able to help students find their gifts and their goals and their meaning and map a pathway through their high school credit and ECC and postsecondary education at the same time.”

Heinrich said ECC is well-positioned to build on its progress as the college develops a new strategic plan and advances a more focused set of institutional goals.

Charlot expanded on that message, sharing lessons from high-performing community colleges across the country and challenging employees at every level of the institution to consider how their work contributes to students’ long-term success.

“Whatever I’m working on, ask the question: ‘How is it going to get them a better life?’” Charlot told employees.

Charlot emphasized that colleges can create greater value for students by looking beyond access and completion to what happens after graduation, including successful transfer, bachelor’s degree attainment, employment, and economic mobility. She encouraged employees to identify barriers, contribute solutions, and consider post-completion success when making decisions about programs and services.

The Fall Convocation marks the beginning of ECC’s 2026-27 academic year and provides employees an opportunity to come together around the college’s priorities and shared commitment to student success.