ECC Stories

In the Spotlight

Professor George Rosa poses in an HVAC lab in Building O.

Faculty Profile

Two Decades In, and Still Building Futures

ECC Faculty and Alum George Rosa has taught for almost 20 years, and is looking forward to many more years mentoring students and the start of a new chapter with the new Manufacturing and Technology Center opening in September 2026.

ECC Culinary Arts Alum Raymond Petty poses in a kitchen.

Accomplishment | Alumni Profile

Alum Fulfills His Culinary Dreams at ECC

When the Belvidere Assembly Plant closed in 2023 and Ray Petty was laid off, he was given the chance to return to school, and Elgin Community College became the place where he turned a lifelong passion for food into a new career path.

ECC student and apprentice Henry Piehl poses next to equipment at his job at Haumiller Engineering in South Elgin.

Student Profile

Hands-On Learning, Real-World Results

ECC student and apprentice Henry Piehl talks about his journey as a student and working adult as a machinist at Haumiller Engineering in South Elgin.

Student Profile

Meet Me Monday: Lisa Hanley

After a 21-year career as a firefighter-paramedic, Elgin Community College student Lisa Hanley is reinventing herself. “I wasn’t ready to retire, so I am here to start a new career in health care,” Hanley said, who is now pursuing a nursing degree.

ECC Alum Daisy Solorzano works with ophthalmic equipment and a student in a Ophthalmic Technician classroom.

Academics | Alumni Profile

Elgin Community College Expands Eye Care Career Pathways

ECC's Ophthalmic Technician Program and its new one-year Eye Care Assistant Program are available for those wanting to enter one of healthcare's growing fields, and give students a competitive edge.

ECC Paralegal Certificate Alumna Elizabeth White

Alumni Profile

ECC Paralegal Certificate Alum Says Program Gave Her Foundation for Law School

ECC Paralegal Alum Elizabeth White is now in law school at Northern Illinois University, but her paralegal certificate served as her educational foundation in her law journey

ECC student Geovany Medina poses in one of his classrooms next to equipment.

Student Profile

ECC Student Finds His Path in Industrial Maintenance

ECC student Geovany Medina now has a clear path forward in industrial maintenance technology, thanks to ECC's WIOA (Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act) program and professors like Steven Wood and Michael Marin.

Student Profile

Meet Me Monday: Lynn Singh

Elgin Community College dual credit student Lynn Singh was surprised by the sense of community at ECC and impressed by the quantity and quality of campus events.

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