ECC Receives Federal Grant to Strengthen Career Pathways and Employer Partnerships

Elgin Community College (ECC) has received $202,550 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Education's Title III, Part A: Strengthening Institutions Program to support a college-wide initiative connecting students’ educational experiences with career opportunities and regional workforce needs. 

The award covers the first year of a five-year project with anticipated total funding of approximately $2.8 million, subject to future federal awards. The initial funding period runs from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027. 

The initiative will focus on two major areas: integrating career exploration and preparation more intentionally into academic advising and developing a centralized office dedicated to strengthening partnerships with regional employers. 

“This grant gives us an opportunity to build on the work already underway at ECC and take a more intentional, coordinated approach to connecting students with careers,” said Annamarie Schopen, vice president of Teaching, Learning and Student Development at ECC. “By strengthening career-centered advising and bringing our employer partnerships together, we can help students see the connection between what they are learning, where it can take them, and the opportunities available in our community.” 

Through the grant, ECC will develop a more integrated approach to academic and career supports, incorporating career exploration, planning, and preparation at key points throughout a student's educational journey. 

The grant also supports the development of an office that will be focused on employer partnerships. The office will focus on identifying and cultivating relationships with regional employers, understanding their evolving workforce needs, and collaborating on strategies to support talent development. It will also help coordinate employer engagement efforts across the college, bringing together departments and resources to create a more cohesive approach to business partnerships. 

As these relationships grow, ECC anticipates expanding opportunities for students to participate in work-based learning experiences, building on the college's existing efforts to connect classroom instruction with practical career preparation. 

The initiative will also build on ECC's investments in workforce education, including its recently opened Manufacturing and Technology Center, with manufacturing and health professions among the grant's focus areas. 

The Title III Strengthening Institutions Program provides federal funding to help eligible colleges strengthen academic programs, institutional capacity, and student support services