Meet America Ocampo

When Elgin Community College (ECC) student America Ocampo of Streamwood, Ill., came to ECC in the fall of 2023, she immediately got connected. “I’ve always been someone who is really involved because I find it important to include a different viewpoint and to bring my opinions on what can be improved,” Ocampo said.

Her first endeavor at ECC was joining the Spartan Pantry, an on-site food pantry that supplies food, toiletries, household items, and school supplies to ECC students, regardless of their income status. When the spot opened up, Ocampo quickly moved into the chair position on the committee.

“With the pantry, I immediately thought about what I could offer, what food was needed, and how I could organize things,” Ocampo said.

In addition to the Spartan Pantry, Ocampo is on student committees for the Kane County Teachers Credit Union (KCT) and the library. Her favorite organization, though, has been with ECC’s Student Life as a student worker and as president of the Fiber Arts club.

As an artist and activist at heart, ECC helped Ocampo realize where she was headed. “I decided, based on my whole experience here, to become an art teacher,” Ocampo said. “A lot of kids need art, not only as a form of escape, but a form of expression. I want them to have something where they can just sit down, not stress, and make art. I’ve liked art since I was little, and there are so many ways to learn through art.”

Ocampo will graduate from ECC this spring and plans to transfer to Northeastern Illinois University. Get to know Ocampo below!

What’s one thing you do outside of ECC? Some of the hobbies I picked up at ECC include crocheting. The Fiber Arts club taught me that, so I do it for fun at home now. I occasionally read, too, mostly mythology.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? I would always change what I wanted to be when I was growing up. The first thing I wanted to be was a teacher. Then, I wanted to be a veterinarian, but I’m allergic to dogs and cats, so that wouldn’t work out!

Where is your favorite spot on campus? The Fiber Arts club has a cubicle in Student Life, and that’s probably my favorite spot. Being there, I can work on things, and it’s a good place to chill. I mainly spend my time there because it feels like home.

What’s your favorite meal to cook or eat out? I love my mom's cooking. A food I love to eat out is baked potato soup. If there’s an option for it, I’ll take that option. I’ve made it at home, too, and my mom loves it. It’s also a soup option they have on campus sometimes, and it’s really good here, too.

Shout out to an ECC staff or peer! I want to shout out Charo Buck, student life coordinator. She really helped me get accommodated at ECC when I first started working in their department.