Spring 2026 Employee Convocation at Elgin Community College Focuses on Community

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Elgin Community College (ECC) faculty and staff gathered to celebrate the start of a new semester on January 8, 2026, at its annual employee convocation. The morning event included welcome remarks from ECC Board Chair Jennifer Rakow and a State of the College presentation from President Peggy Heinrich, EdD. New this year were presentations and informational sessions from four local community partners: Centro de Información, Food for Greater Elgin, Hanover Township, and Tri City Health Partnership. 

“Our college, our community, isn’t just today’s theme. It’s how our students learn every day,” said Karla Jimenez, chief community and government relations officer. “We know that when learning extends beyond the classroom through partnerships with community organizations, students gain hands-on experience.”

Before each community organization presented, Managing Director of Institutional Research Dave Rudden presented heat maps that showcased where ECC students live in relation to available community resources in the three focus areas highlighted during the talks. Those areas included immigration, food insecurity, and supporting health and wellness. 

Centro de Información Executive Director Dianha Ortega-Ehreth presented information on the not-for-profit social services agency. Her team provides wraparound case management and crisis support, and the immigration services team assists with citizenship applications and adjustment of status.

Food for Greater Elgin’s CEO, Andres Diez, and Director of Development, Emily Tyler, spoke about the food pantry’s mission. The organization’s mission is to help the community by “stabilizing lives,” Diez said. The pantry is the largest food pantry in Kane County.

Hanover Township’s Director of Community and Government Affairs, Tom Kuttenberg, discussed the township’s various services offered across its departments,  including administrative services, emergency services, aging services, the mental health board, and youth and family services.

Tri City Health Partnership’s Resource Development Manager Lisa Foydel closed the presentations. She shared that Tri City Health is a free and charitable clinic serving uninsured adults who live or work in central Kane County. Eligible patients earn less than 250% of the federal poverty level, she said. 

“Working with community organizations allows us to better support our students, their families, and our staff,” Jimenez said. “Helping address the real needs that impact success, not only in the classroom but also outside the classroom. That could be whether it's navigating immigration concerns, addressing food insecurity, or supporting health and wellness. These partnerships help remove barriers so learning can thrive.”