ECC Stories

Staff Profile

Q&A: ECC’s TRiO’s Vanessa Macias Arias Publishes New Book

In September 2026, Vanessa Macias Arias became a published author with the release of “Chingona Playbook: Secrets to Dance To Your Own Beat.” The anthology book features 21 Latina writers sharing personal stories about how they became who they are today.

Student Profile | Student Resources

South Elgin Family Hosts Vietnamese Student

Diana and Guillermo Felfe of South Elgin have been hosting international student Oanh Nguyen for more than a year. Nguyen is from Vietnam, and the Felfes found small ways to help her feel at home when she first arrived in Elgin.

Alumni Profile | Student Resources

ECC Grad Receives Support from Workforce Development Program

ECC alumna Yeni Elizalde details how the WIOA (Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act) program supported her during her time in ECC's nursing program.

Accomplishment

ECC/ComEd Energy Efficiency Cohort Builds Skills for the Workforce

The Energy Efficiency Newcomer Training Cohort, a collaboration between ECC and ComEd’s Market Development Initiative (MDI), began July 13 and runs through September 4.

Arts Center | Student Resources

Boys & Girls Club Visits ECC, Learn More About Visual Arts

A group from the Boys & Girls Club of North Central Illinois in Elgin visited ECC's Visual Arts department this past July to learn more about creating art and different career pathways in the arts.

Academics | Student Profile

ECC Welding Students Excel Through Mentorship, Training

Many ECC welding students, including Jasmin De La Torre, Lilly Rutter, and Joseph Lortie, are now working at St. Charles manufacturer Advance Lifts, thanks to a recommendation from ECC welding professor Dave Reich.

Reducing Downtime Starts with Your Workforce

Why cross-trained technicians are key to keeping production running.

Announcement | Student Resources

Pre-Apprenticeship Program at ECC Introduces Young Women to Careers in Fire Service

A new summer pre-apprenticeship program introduces high school-aged girls and young women to careers in fire and emergency services through hands-on learning.