ECC Stories
In the Spotlight
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Going to College
Applying to College: 3 Tips
Applying to college can seem daunting. Do they really need ALL this information? Yes, they do! Here are three tips to ensure your application process goes as smoothly as possible!
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Academics | Going to College
Go to school, get a job: 4 in-demand career program options at ECC
Going to college can be a life-changing decision for many, but that doesn’t mean you can’t feel uncertain about your future. When choosing a college degree or program or finishing one, that inevitable yet essential question, “Will I be able to get a job?” looms on us until it lands hard.
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Going to College
Paying for College
You often hear “scholarships,” “free tuition,” “grants,” and “financial aid,” as if paying for college should be a breeze. But then you look into the cost of college and start asking yourself, “How can I afford it?”
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Student Profile
Elgin Community College student Joseph Patino turns internship into employment
Elgin Community College student Joseph Patino dove into higher education after high school, beginning at ECC in August 2023. Determined to forge a path for his future, Patino sought further guidance through ECC’s Future Workforce Leaders Program.
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Alumni Profile | ECC 75
The photographer: Sandro Miller
Sandro Miller's story is one of resilience, passion, and the transformative power of photography. The world-renowned photographer has collaborated with icons such as Michael Jordan and John Malkovich. But his journey began far from the glitz and glamour of success — it started at Elgin Community College (ECC), fueled by a desire to escape a difficult childhood and a deep fascination with capturing the world through a lens.
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Alumni Profile | ECC 75
The CEO: Lisa Marshall
Lisa Marshall recently celebrated her first year as the CEO of the Wisconsin Board of Realtors, an affiliate of the National Association of Realtors. Marshall, who said she is also the first Black CEO in her role, said she learned to strive for excellence through missteps.
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Alumni Profile | ECC 75
The Musician: Frank Catalano
Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Frank Catalano has graced stages across the globe with his Frank Catalano Quartet jazz band. A former Elgin Community College Jazz Band member, Catalano’s musical journey has seen him collaborate with iconic American rock band The Smashing Pumpkins on six albums.
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Alumni Profile | ECC 75
“Bright Future” campaign empowers students to succeed
Elgin Community College Foundation initiated the public phase of a student-centered “Bright Futures” fundraising campaign in December 2023 to help more students achieve their dreams. Despite the affordability and accessibility offered by community colleges, many students increasingly require assistance to persist in pursuing higher education.
ECC in the News
Local Youth Wrap-Up Summer Manufacturing and Firefighter Camps at Elgin Community College
The Sustainability, Business, and Career Technologies Division (SBCT), at Elgin Community College (ECC), in collaboration with the college’s Continuing Education and Workforce Development, concluded its summer manufacturing and fire science camps for local high schoolers on July 17. These camps aimed to give youth the chance to explore careers in welding and manufacturing.
ECC Project Backpack Returns In-Person to Provide Supplies to Local Students
Elgin Community College and its partners are preparing for Project Backpack, a community-based initiative that collects and distributes school supplies to students in need in the area. The school supply giveaway event is back in person this year and will take place on Saturday, August 3, from 9 am to 1 pm in the Building J Spartan Events Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, Ill.