ECC Stories 2025 - Meet Audree Khotisene

Elgin Community College (ECC) student Audree Khotisene’s college experience was made when she became a student worker for the Office of Student Life.

“I’ve worked in Student Life since the fall, and it’s been the best experience ever,” Khotisene said. “I love my job so much here! I always recommend being a student worker to others because if you’re already here and in school, you might as well work here, too. Working in Student Life is the best job I’ve held.”

Khotisene became interested in working in Student Life through her aunt, who works for the department. In addition to her aunt, Khotisene has other family members who have passed through ECC as students and are currently enrolled alongside her, making her choice to attend this college an easy one.

“I have a lot of family here, and I’ve been here for a few ECC Arts Center performances,” Khotisene said. “I already knew the school pretty well and knew it would be a better alternative than going to a university and spending the first two years just trying to figure out what I wanted to do and spending all that money.”

The positive influence her family and job have had on Khotisene continued with discovering the area of study she wanted to pursue: radiography. “A lot of my family is in the medical field, so it’s what I grew up around,” Khotisene said. “I also love interacting and helping people, and that really began once I started working in Student Life.”

When Khotisene isn’t working in Student Life, she participates. “It was easy to find friends and connect with people because there are so many events where you can,” Khotisene said. “I just really like it here and am so happy I decided to come.”

Learn more about one of ECC’s #1 supporters a little more below!

What’s one thing you like to do outside of ECC? I love to play volleyball. Every Friday night, I go to Top Flight when they have an open gym. I also played basketball for four years in high school and love to play that, too, when I can.

What did you want to be when you were growing up? A singer! That was one dream I always had. I would sing songs from the show “Victorious.” My mom would get so annoyed because I would play the show over and over again on our TV.

Where’s your favorite spot on campus? Building E has these chairs with tables attached. When I first started coming here, I didn’t have a car and wasn’t part of Student Life yet, so I would wait there for someone to pick me up. It’s very quiet in there, and I really like it.

What’s your favorite meal to cook or eat out? Raisin’ Canes. I go there all the time. If you ask anyone in Student Life what my favorite food is, they will all say Raisin’ Canes. I could have it every day if it wasn’t so bad for you.

Shout out to an ECC staff or peer! Student Life! I love it so much. These are some of my closest friends, and I’m really comfortable here.