More than 700 Degrees, Certificates Awarded at ECC's Spring 2026 Commencement Ceremonies

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Elgin Community College (ECC) celebrated the achievements of its spring graduates during two commencement ceremonies held on May 16, 2026, in the Building J Events Center at 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, Illinois. In total, the college awarded more than 700 degrees and certificates, recognizing the hard work, determination, and perseverance of the Class of 2026. 

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

The first student speaker at the 10 am University Transfer ceremony was Brianna Zlotow. She spoke about her academic struggles after being diagnosed with dyslexia at a young age. 

Zlotow thought she was setting herself up to fail when she enrolled at ECC, but it was her experience in an English class with Professor Ginger Alms that proved her wrong.

“I will never forget writing one of my first essays about being dyslexic and reading her comment on how she was there for me, and she believed in me,” Zlowtow said. “To be completely honest, it’s that comment she made that is why I am now standing in front of you today.” 

Also speaking at the morning ceremony was Bohdan Andrashko-Kubini, a 2026 DREAM Scholar with Achieving the Dream, a national organization dedicated to advancing community colleges as engines of opportunity, belonging, and economic mobility. Andrashko-Kubini is one of just eight students selected to participate in the DREAM Scholars program this year. 

Originally from Ukraine, Andrashko-Kubini moved to the United States at age 22 and later relocated to Illinois to live with his sister. It was then that he saw an ECC billboard one day, which piqued his interest in learning more.

“I stand here with a realization: The world is full of bright minds, but it is not always full of opportunities,” Andrashko-Kubini said. “ECC gave us that opportunity. It transformed me. And I’m sure it transformed so many of you.” 

The student speaker for the 2 pm Career and Technical Degrees and Certificates ceremony was Zoe Fowler, who shared her experience of graduating high school early and starting college at age 17. She later realized she was not ready to start college early and stopped attending classes before returning to complete her degree. 

“The reason I share this with you today is because every person sitting here in this room has carried something heavy,” Fowler said. “Maybe it was grief, failure, financial stress, self-doubt, illness, loneliness, pressure, or simply the fear that you weren’t capable enough to make it this far.” 

She overcame her self-doubt and returned to ECC to finish her degree. While at ECC, Fowler was a recipient of the Jack and Marlene Shakes Nursing Scholarship and a member of Phi Theta Kappa. 

English Professor Jeannie Anderson, recipient of the 2026 Orrin G. Thompson Teaching Excellence Award, addressed graduates at both ceremonies, emphasizing the value of a community college education. 

“I never regretted all the money that was saved by going to community college. We benefitted from small classes led by dedicated faculty who prioritize teaching,” she said. “At ECC, your cherished faculty are here because they love their students, and they love their work. We are committed to your success.”

Among the graduates, Associate in Science recipient Imaan Ali is considering her next step in higher education, with plans to study public health or integrated health studies. 

“I actually just got into Harvard two days ago,” Ali said on Saturday. “So I will decide between that and going to UIC (University of Illinois Chicago) and finishing up sooner there.” Ali plans to become a doctor in the future. 

Gabriel Sosa Horna, who earned his Associate of Applied Science Degree in Business, plans to continue his education at Aurora University this fall, where he will study social work. Originally from Peru, Sosa Horna aims to earn his master’s degree and work with high school students. 

Recordings of both ceremonies are available and can be viewed at youtube.com/ElginSpartans.