ECC Stories 2026

ECC culinary and pastry arts, and hospitality management student Abby Hendrickson poses in the Spartan Terrace Restaurant.

Student Profile

Published 05/15/2026

Baking Up a Bright Future: ECC Student Finds Her Sweet Spot

Abby Henricksen combines pastry, culinary, and hospitality training to launch a career in baking.

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Commencement | Graduation Essays

Published 05/14/2026

Tibisay Ocando: From ESL Student to Advocate: A Journey of Resilience and Growth

I am deeply grateful to Elgin Community College for being the bridge that helped turn our dreams into reality.

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Commencement | Graduation Essays

Published 05/14/2026

Maria Nino: I stand as proof that the path forward is possible

To every parent, every adult learner, and every dreamer in my community, your journey is not over.

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Commencement | Graduation Essays

Published 05/14/2026

Imaan Ali: I started to prioritize my own success and pushed myself forward

Starting college early during hard times in my life challenged me to step out of my comfort zone and find things I genuinely enjoy.

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Commencement | Graduation Essays

Published 05/14/2026

Edoraldo Bejko: I learned how to manage my time effectively and stay focused on my goals

Having English as a second language can create communication barriers, but not with ECC's professors, who were always willing to help and extremely approachable.

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Commencement | Graduation Essays

Published 05/14/2026

Angela Ferencz: Now that I have graduated, the world is still my oyster

Through the years, I have learned from my various life experiences that some chances are worth taking.

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Commencement | Graduation Essays

Published 05/13/2026

Ryan Sliwa: My time at ECC will always help define my life

Coming to ECC transformed me as a person and prepared me to turn the page to the next chapter of my life.

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Commencement | Graduation Essays

Published 05/13/2026

Olivia Torres: As a first-generation college student, this journey was rarely easy

I stand at the end of this chapter not just with a degree, but with the strength of someone who faced every obstacle and kept moving forward.

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Commencement | Graduation Essays

Published 05/13/2026

Fernando Fernandez: Thank you, ECC, for helping shape my future.

Elgin Community College has been a great journey for both my personal growth and education. The students and professors contributed to a positive experience throughout my time there. As a veteran, I especially appreciate the recognition and support ECC provides for veterans.

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Events Center during a graduation ceremony

Commencement | Graduation Essays

Published 05/13/2026

Dilan: My journey had been long and difficult, but I made it to where many give up

My associate degree is to show everyone that no matter your age, everything is possible.

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Commencement | Graduation Essays

Published 05/13/2026

Adriana Vasquez: ECC has provided me with more than just an education.

My time at Elgin Community College has been both meaningful and transformative.

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Commencement | Graduation Essays

Published 05/12/2026

Rosa Lopez Diaz: My greatest dream has been to work in the field of medicine

Thanks to ECC—an excellent college—I found the courage to start over.

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Commencement | Graduation Essays

Published 05/12/2026

Lisa Pinc: Bold Enough to Dream

I am proud of how far I have come, and I am excited to continue growing, learning, and chasing my dreams.

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Commencement | Graduation Essays

Published 05/12/2026

Kathleen Gilligan: I wanted to show my children that it is never too late to learn

ECC gave me much more than an education. It gave me confidence and direction.

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Commencement | Graduation Essays

Published 05/12/2026

Erick Hernandez: I am onto the next step in my life, continuing my education in film

That passion for film has only grown here at ECC, thanks to my professors and classmates, who have shown me what it means to be a filmmaker.

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

Faculty Profile

Published 05/07/2026

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.

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ECC Culinary Arts Alum Raymond Petty poses in a kitchen.

Accomplishment | Alumni Profile

Published 05/05/2026

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.

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

Student Profile

Published 05/01/2026

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.

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Student Profile

Published 04/24/2026

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.

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

Academics | Alumni Profile

Published 04/23/2026

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.

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ECC Paralegal Certificate Alumna Elizabeth White

Alumni Profile

Published 04/21/2026

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

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Student Profile

Published 04/20/2026

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

Student Profile

Published 04/20/2026

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.

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Faculty Profile

Published 04/15/2026

Dual Credit Manufacturing Teacher Prepares Students for Future Success in the Field

Dual credit manufacturing teacher Matt Erbach has been teaching South Elgin High School students for almost two decades, and now his classes allow his students to earn college credit.

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Student Profile

Published 04/12/2026

Meet Me Monday: Sienna Hughes

Elgin Community College dual credit student, Sienna Hughes, has always known she was meant for the spotlight. She was part of the ECC theatre production of “Our Town” last semester and is taking three theatre classes right now.

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ECC Student Kyle Virmond in the welding lab

Student Profile

Published 04/02/2026

Meet Me Monday: Kyle Virmond

Elgin Community College student Kyle Virmond knew from a young age that he wanted to work with his hands. After exploring automotive and manufacturing classes at Hampshire High School, he gave welding a try and has been pursuing it ever since.

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ECC student-athletes Enzo and Carter Novelli

Student Profile

Published 03/20/2026

Meet Me Monday: Carter and Enzo Novelli

Elgin Community College (ECC) student-athletes Carter and Enzo Novelli recognize what a privilege it is to represent ECC on and off the field. After attending Larkin High School, where they both played on the baseball team, the Novellis chose ECC because it was close to home and was the most affordable option.

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Student Profile

Published 03/14/2026

Meet Me Monday: Maile Fuller

Elgin Community College (ECC) student athlete Maile Fuller has come to love how easy it is to talk to people and connect with them. “It is such a social school. There is always something going on,” Fuller said.

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ECC Student Dani Macmillan stands in Building A

Student Profile

Published 03/06/2026

Meet Me Monday: Dani Macmillan

Elgin Community College (ECC) student Dani Macmillan has been dancing through life. From an early age, she knew dance would always be part of who she is. Driven by a passion for staying active and helping others move better, she completed an associate in science-kinesiology and a bachelor of science in exercise science. Macmillan is now enrolled in ECC’s Physical Therapy Assistant program.

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Student Profile

Published 03/02/2026

Meet Me Monday: Gio Tonielli

Elgin Community College dual credit student, Gio Tonielli, chose to get involved while in school.

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ECC Student and 25-26 Student Trustee Daniel Gidlund

Student Profile

Published 02/20/2026

Meet Me Monday: Daniel Gidlund

Elgin Community College student Daniel Gidlund has served as the Student Trustee on the ECC Board of Trustees since fall 2025. Running for the position was never part of his plan, despite a lifelong love of politics.

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ECC Student and Wellness Peer Jaloni Williams

Student Profile

Published 02/06/2026

Meet Me Monday: Jaloni Williams

Elgin Community College student and Wellness Peer Jaloni Williams came to ECC because she was unsure of what path she wanted to take. It wasn’t until she came across sociology that things came into place.

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Student Profile

Published 01/30/2026

Meet Me Monday: Laura Ciaccio

Elgin Community College student Laura Ciaccio is no stranger to reinventing herself.

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A person talks during a past Socrates Cafe discussion.

Student Resources

Published 01/27/2026

Socrates Cafe Spring 2026: Continuing Open Dialogue for Life’s Big Questions

ECC Associate Professor of Humanities Geoffrey Pynn will lead philosophical conversations in this semester's Socrates Cafe sessions. The group has always been a forum for open conversations among students, faculty, staff, and community members.

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Student Profile

Published 01/26/2026

Meet Me Monday: Bri Ortiz

“None of the others felt as homey as ECC does. This school is so community-based, and it feels like everyone here cares about you as a student,” ECC student Bri Ortiz said.

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Administrator Profile

Published 01/09/2026

Office Space: Jocelyn Santana

Jocelyn Santana comes from a family of educators but found quickly that her calling was in higher education.

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