2022

Aerial photo of Elgin Community College.

Achievements | Student Profile

Published 06/29/2022

ECC students shine at SkillsUSA National Championship

Elgin Community College career and technical students traveled to Atlanta, Ga., to compete in the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference in June. Nine ECC students competed in six categories: Culinary Arts, Customer Service, Cybersecurity, Welding, Welding Fabrication, and Welding Sculpture.

An adult student

Academics | Events

Published 06/22/2022

ECC to host in-person information session for adult students interested in college on July 12

Elgin Community College will hold an in-person information session on Tuesday, July 12, at 5:30 p.m. in Building B, Alumni Room 182, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Adults considering returning to school or enrolling in college for the first time are invited to attend this free event open to the public.

David Sam, PhD, JD, LLM, president of Elgin Community College and Kelly Owens, financial aid technical specialist

Achievements

Published 06/15/2022

Kelly Owens Receives President’s Award for financial aid excellence

Kelly Owens, financial aid technical specialist, received the President’s Award at the Illinois Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators’ annual conference in April. The President’s Award is considered to be one of ILASFAA’s highest awards and is awarded at the discretion of the president.

Project Backpack

Events | Student Resources

Published 06/08/2022

ECC’s Project Backpack helps local students in need

Elgin Community College and its partners are preparing for Project Backpack, a community-based initiative to benefit area students in need. The committee is coordinating backpacks, school supplies, and/or resources for students in need for fall 2022 from school districts U-46, CUSD 300, CSD 301, CUSD 303, D20, or ECC District 509.

ECC student-athlete Nick Schumann

Athletics

Published 06/08/2022

Thirty-Five ECC student-athletes earn Academic All-Conference honors

The Elgin Community College athletic programs had 35 student-athletes earn Academic All-Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference (ISCC) honors for the 2021-22 school year.

ECC students in the Ophthalmic Technician program

Events | Student Resources

Published 06/01/2022

Learn about two new health profession programs coming to ECC this fall during free summer informati

Elgin Community College is launching two new programs in its health and sciences division in Fall 2022—Medical Assisting and Ophthalmic Technician. Local healthcare employers expressed a need to have more trained workers for both in-demand positions that are currently facing staffing shortages.

ECC student-athlete Sam Bonick

Achievements | Alumni Profile | Athletics

Published 05/31/2022

ECC student-athlete Sam Bonick earns Dick Durrant Award

Elgin Community College baseball player Sam Bonick was named an Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference (ISCC) Dick Durrant Sophomore Academic Athlete of the Year Winner.

Cathy Taylor, MBA, dean of sustainability, business, and career technologies

Achievements | Administrator Profile

Published 05/19/2022

Commitment to Community: ECC Dean Cathy Taylor honored with YWCA Education Award

Cathy Taylor, MBA, dean of sustainability, business, and career technologies at Elgin Community College, received the 2022 Harriet Gifford & Hattie Griffin Award for Education at the YWCA Elgin’s 38th annual Leader Luncheon on May 12, 2022. Taylor was recognized for her strong commitment to helping students reach their academic and career goals.

Tyler Garza, 2022 Dr. David Sam Award Winner

Achievements | Alumni Profile

Published 05/18/2022

Tyler Garza receives 2022 Dr. David Sam Award from Elmhurst University

Elmhurst University selected Elgin Community College graduate Tyler Garza (Streamwood) as the 2022 Dr. David Sam Award winner. The scholarship awarded is $3,000, and Garza is also eligible for other transfer scholarships from Elmhurst. Garza graduated from ECC in the fall of 2021 with an associate in arts degree.

Marcia Luptak, associate dean of adult education and Aurora Morales Aguirre, ECC student

Achievements | Administrator Profile | Student Profile

Published 05/17/2022

ECC student and administrator receive adult education awards

The Illinois Adult and Continuing Educators Association (IACEA) awarded Elgin Community College Associate Dean of Adult Education Marcia Luptak the annual award for Administrator of the Year and ECC student Aurora Morales Aguirre (Streamwood) the annual Outstanding Adult Learner of the Year Award.

ECC student-athlete Nik Panico

Achievements | Athlete Profile | Athletics

Published 05/16/2022

Spartan Baseball’s Panico Headlines All-Conference Selections

The Elgin Community College baseball team had four individuals earn All-Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference (ISCC) honors. Nik Panico (pitcher) headlined the group as a First Team designated hitter selection. Luis Rodriguez (outfield) was named Second Team as an outfielder with Adrian Ruiz (pitcher) and Derek Angelo (catcher) earning Honorable Mention status as a pitcher and catcher, respectively.

From left to right: Tom Limberis, instructor of welding; Chuck Timm, volunteer; Debora Culajay, student; Susan Timm, EdD, professor of business; Yeung Ming Li, student; Christian Cruz, student; William J. Lietzow III, student; Saffron Bruno, student; Meralia Gómez, student; Brendan Schoneberg, student; Zachary Kuhlman, student;

Achievements

Published 05/13/2022

ECC students excel at SkillsUSA Illinois State Championship

Elgin Community College career and technical students traveled to Peoria, Ill., to compete in the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference on April 29-30. This was the first SkillsUSA competition to take place in person in three years.

Students at Spring commencement ceremony

Announcement | Events

Published 05/09/2022

ECC returns to in-person commencement ceremonies for spring 2022

Elgin Community College will hold in-person commencement ceremonies for the spring 2022 graduating class. Three ceremonies will take place starting with the High School Equivalency ceremony on Friday, May 20, 2022 at 7 p.m., followed by the University Transfer ceremony on Saturday, May 21 at 10 a.m., and the Career and Technical programs ceremony at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, 2022.

ECC math, science, and engineering students Malyika Hussain, Reese Scarnato, Brillina Wang, and Mack Vongsa

Achievements

Published 05/05/2022

ECC STEM team take first place at Illinois Skyway Competition

Elgin Community College math, science, and engineering students won first prize at the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference 2022 STEM Poster Competition for their project titled “Green Synthesis of Noble Metal Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications.” The competition, held on April 22 at Morton College in Cicero, was split into environmental science projects and projects in the STEM field. ECC won first in the STEM grouping out of eight other participating schools.

24th Annual Elgin Community College Foundation Golf Classic

Events | Foundation

Published 05/02/2022

ECC Foundation’s annual Golf Classic tees off on June 13

Tickets and sponsorships are now available for the 24th Annual Elgin Community College Foundation Golf Classic on Monday, June 13. The event will be held at the Elgin Country Club, 2575 Weld Road, Elgin. Golfers of all ages and abilities are invited.

Aerial photo of Elgin Community College.

Achievements

Published 04/27/2022

ECC named a semifinalist for $1 million 2023 Aspen Prize

Elgin Community College is a semifinalist for the 2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, joining an elite group of community colleges from across the country recognized for achieving high, improving, and equitable outcomes for students.

ECC Phi Theta Kappa members Jackson Stoneman and Elizabeth Barnes

Achievements | Student Clubs & Organizations

Published 04/27/2022

Two ECC Students Win Awards at Phi Theta Kappa National Conference

Elgin Community College students and Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) members Elizabeth Barnes (West Dundee) and Jackson Stoneman (St. Charles) were granted Distinguished Officer and Member awards at the Phi Theta Kappa Catalyst convention on April 7-9 in Denver, Colorado.

ECC students Brett Barry and Anika Thorenson in “The Game’s Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays”

Arts Center

Published 04/26/2022

The ECC Arts Center presents spring performance of “The Game’s Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays”

The Elgin Community College Arts Center’s spring performance is Ken Ludwig’s “The Game’s Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays.” Patrons have six opportunities to see the play, which will take place in the SecondSpace Theatre, located in Building H, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.

2022 NCMPR Paragon Silver Award Winner for Computer Illustrated Graphic

Achievements

Published 04/26/2022

ECC’s marketing and communications team recognized with 17 national awards

The Elgin Community College Marketing and Communications team earned top honors at the 2021 National Council for Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) National Conference, held Mar. 26 in Denver, Colo., and as part of the 37th Annual Educational Advertising Awards announced in March 2022.

Student trustee Alison McVey and student body president Leslie Gracia

Announcement | General | Student Clubs & Organizations

Published 04/22/2022

Student leaders elected to represent 2022-23 student body

Elgin Community College welcomes five new student leaders for the 2022-23 academic year. Alison McVey (South Elgin) has been selected as the new student trustee, Leslie Gracia (Elgin) as student body president, Alexia Smith (Elgin) as executive vice president, Fitz Ramirez (Pingree Grove) as executive secretary, and Di Lan Johnson (Bartlett) as executive treasurer.

Physical Therapist Assistant Class at ECC

Announcement | General

Published 04/21/2022

ECC’s Physical Therapist Assistant Program extends application deadline to June 15

Elgin Community College’s Physical Therapist Assistant Program is accepting applications through Wednesday, June 15, for prospective students interested in physical therapist assistant (PTA) education. Graduates of the program earn an associate in applied science degree (AAS) in PTA and are eligible to take the required PTA state licensure examination.

Corky Siegel's Chamber Blues ensemble playing with Jazz Saxophone player Ernie Watts

Arts Center | Events

Published 04/21/2022

ECC Arts Center presents Corky Siegel’s Chamber Blues with special guest Ernie Watts

The Elgin Community College Arts Center presents Corky Siegel’s Chamber Blues ensemble with special guest jazz saxophone icon Ernie Watts on Friday, May 13 at 7:30 p.m. The show will be in the Blizzard Theatre located in Building H on the Spartan Drive Campus, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, on April 2, 2022, at 7 p.m.

A poster displaying the proposed elements of ECC's next strategic plan

Announcement | General

Published 04/20/2022

Public invited to offer feedback on ECC’s five-year strategic plan

Every five years, Elgin Community College updates its institutional strategic plan. The plan contains essential language encompassing the college’s core mission, future vision, guiding values, beliefs, and philosophies.

ECC speech and debate team members: Hannah Carpenter, Aleah Janae, Damaris Zamudio-Hernandez, and Melissa Fessler

Achievements | Student Clubs & Organizations

Published 04/20/2022

ECC speech and debate team dominate in regional and international tournaments

This past spring semester, the Elgin Community College speech and debate team competed in multiple debate competitions, exceeding in both team and individual wins. The team competed in the Illinois Intercollegiate Forensics Association (IIFA) Tournament, the International Forensics Association Annual Tournament (IFA), and the Phi Rho Pi National Tournament.

ECC culinary student Riley Bartlet

Achievements

Published 04/15/2022

Fisher Nuts scholarship recipe contest returns to ECC with $5,000 awarded for winning creations

Eight Elgin Community College culinary students put their skills and creativity to the test as they competed for scholarship prizes at the return of the annual Fisher Nuts Recipe Competition on Wednesday, April 13, at the college’s Spartan Terrace Restaurant.

Summer 2022 Enrollment

General | Student Resources

Published 04/14/2022

Registration begins for ECC summer sessions

Registration for summer credit classes at Elgin Community College is underway and will continue until the first day of classes for each summer session, beginning on June 6, June 13, and July 11, space permitting. New students can learn more about summer registration at https://elgin.edu/admissions/register-for-classes.

Adult student learner

Events | Student Resources

Published 04/13/2022

ECC hosts in-person adult education information session on April 25

Elgin Community College will hold an in-person adult student information session on Monday, April 25, at 5:30 p.m. in Building B, Community and Heritage Rooms 180 and 181, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Adults considering returning to school or enrolling in college for the first time are invited to attend this free event open to the public.

Recovery Support Specialist

Academics

Published 04/05/2022

New grant-funded recovery support specialist program launching in fall 2022 at ECC

Elgin Community College is among a select few Illinois colleges to be awarded a state grant by the Illinois Department of Human Services to support a new program for Certified Recovery Support Specialists (CRSS) and Certified Peer Recovery Specialists (CPRS). The program will begin accepting applications this spring, with classes launching in fall 2022.

ECC students in the Medical Assisting program

Academics

Published 04/04/2022

Learn about two new health profession programs coming to ECC this fall during free information sess

Elgin Community College is launching two new programs in its health and sciences division in Fall 2022—Medical Assisting and Ophthalmic Technician. Local healthcare employers expressed a need to have more trained workers for both in-demand positions that are currently facing staffing shortages.

Jordan Wilkins (guard)

Achievements | Athlete Profile | Athletics

Published 03/31/2022

ECC student-athlete named Second Team All-American

Elgin Community college men’s basketball student-athlete Jordan Wilkins (guard) earned the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Second Team All-America recognition for his performance during the 2021-22 season.

2022 Orrin G. Thomson Teaching Excellence Award Winners

Achievements

Published 03/29/2022

Parul Raval and John Karnatz receive 2022 Orrin G. Thompson Teaching Excellence Award

Parul Raval, Ed.D., professor of education, and John Karnatz, MA, communications studies unit adjunct faculty, were recently recognized with the 2022 Orrin G. Thompson Teaching Excellence Award from Elgin Community College. Raval received the full-time faculty award and Karnatz received the part-time faculty award.

two students working on a project

Academics | General

Published 03/17/2022

ECC’s Kids’ College returns to in-person classes this summer

Elgin Community College’s summer Kids’ College will be fully in-person for the summer sessions. Registration is now open for a variety of new and returning classes. There are classes for children and teens ages 6 to 15.

Colin Mochrie and Asad Mecci

Arts Center | Events

Published 03/17/2022

HYPROV: Improv Under Hypnosis returns to the ECC Arts Center

The Elgin Community College Arts Center presents the return of “HYPROV: Improv Under Hypnosis” with Colin Mochrie, the star of the long-running television show Whose Line Is It, Anyway?, and Master Hypnotist Asad Mecci. The live show combines hypnosis and improv for a unique comedy experience.

Kimberly Tarver, PT, MPH, professor of physical therapist assistance

Achievements | Faculty Profile

Published 03/16/2022

Professor Kimberly Tarver honored with IPTA Outstanding Academic Educator Award

Kimberly Tarver, PT, MPH, professor of physical therapist assistant, is the recipient of the 2022 Illinois Physical Therapy Association (IPTA) Outstanding Academic Educator Award. Established in 2019, the award recognizes a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant who has demonstrated excellence as a faculty member in preparation of entry level physical therapist students or entry level physical therapist assistant students.

Art exhibit by artist Javier Jimenez

Events | General

Published 03/16/2022

Art exhibit by Javier Jimenez challenges limitations

A new art exhibit by Rockford, Illinois printmaker Javier Jimenez is now viewable until April 18, 2022 in Elgin Community College’s Safety-Kleen Gallery One located in Building H, Rm H100. The gallery is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and attendance is free and open to the public.

Jordan Wilkins (guard)

Achievements | Athlete Profile | Athletics

Published 03/10/2022

ECC student-athlete earns First Team All-Region honor

Elgin Community College men's basketball student-athlete Jordan Wilkins (guard) earned First Team All-Region recognition by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) for his performance during the 2021-22 season.

ExperienceECC and get a feel for academic and student life at Elgin Community College

Events | Student Resources

Published 03/10/2022

Community invited to learn more about programs during ‘Experience ECC’ on April 6

District 509 community members interested in attending or learning more about Elgin Community College programs are invited to Experience ECC on Wednesday, April 6. The event will be held virtually via Zoom from 5 - 7 p.m.

Emergency Services Instructor Brian Thompson receives award from Illinois Society of Fire Service Instructors

Achievements | Faculty Profile

Published 03/07/2022

ECC’s Brian Thompson recognized by the Illinois Society of Fire Service Instructors

ECC is proud to announce that Brian Thompson, emergency services adjunct faculty, received the 2021 Instructor of the Year award from the Illinois Society of Fire Service Instructors.

Achievements | Student Profile

Published 03/02/2022

ECC students represented at Skyway artists competition

Fifteen Elgin Community College students were selected to represent Elgin Community College in the 2022 Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference Juried Art Competition. Out of the hundreds of submissions across the Skyway Conference, only 40 pieces were selected to be represented at the exhibit. The work of four ECC students will be showcased.

Jordan Wilkins (guard)

Achievements | Athletics

Published 03/01/2022

ECC student-athletes earn All-Conference honors

Three student-athletes from Elgin Community College have been named to the team and earned an honorable mention to the All-Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference (ISCC) team.

Tommy Hensel, Senior Director of Performing Arts

Arts Center

Published 02/15/2022

ECC Arts Center Announces new Senior Director of Performing Arts

Tommy Hensel will join the Elgin Community College Arts Center as its new Senior Director of Performing Arts. Hensel brings more than 30 years of working professionally as a director, actor, and arts presenter.

A side view of Elgin Community College's Building A, with Building B in the background

Achievements | Announcement | General

Published 02/15/2022

ECC Recognized by Achieving the Dream as a 2021 Leader College of Distinction

Elgin Community College today announced that it has been designated a Leader College of Distinction by Achieving the Dream (ATD), a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing community colleges as hubs of equity and mobility in their communities.

ECC student Adriel Gahol

Achievements | Staff Profile

Published 02/11/2022

ECC Student Adriel Gahol accepted into competitive accounting scholarship program

The Illinois CPA Society announced the 10th class of the highly competitive Mary T. Washington Wylie Internship Preparation Program for 2022. Elgin Community College student Adriel Gahol has been accepted as one of 29 scholars from across the state.

Marc Moran, vice president of operations at Swiss Automation; Umberto Tinajero, ECC professor of IMT/CIM; Alejandro Murillo, ECC instructor of IMT/CIM

Academics | General

Published 02/09/2022

Equipment donation from Swiss Automation, Inc. gives ECC’s CNC training program competitive edge

Helping to recognize National Career Technology Month in February is the addition of a 9-axis computer numeric control (CNC) machine donated by Swiss Automation, Inc. The donation, valued at more than $175,000, helps to further distinguish Elgin Community College’s Industrial Manufacturing Technology/Computer Integrated Manufacturing program.

ECC Professor of History and Political Science Antonio Ramirez

Events | General

Published 02/08/2022

The history of Latinos in Elgin and beyond topic of ECC’s Bill Pelz Global Speaker Series on Feb. 2

Elgin Community College will host a Bill Pelz Global Speaker series titled “The History of Latinos in Elgin and Beyond” on Wednesday, February 23 from 2 – 3:30 p.m. This series is sponsored by the ECC Global/International Studies Taskforce (GIST). This event is free and open to the public. Join via Zoom at https://bit.ly/BillPelz2022 Passcode: 190568.

ECC Celebrates Black History Month

General

Published 02/07/2022

Focus on mental health and wellness in the Black Community during Black History Month at ECC

Elgin Community College's celebration of Black History Month reflects the 2022 national theme of Black Health and Wellness: Fortifying the Mind, Body, and Soul, with in-person, virtual, and hybrid events topics such as mental health, healthy eating, and relationships.

Three authors will join the ECC Writers Center for a virtual spring reading series.

Events | Writers Center

Published 02/04/2022

ECC Writers Center Spring Reading Series begins Feb. 10

The Writers Center at Elgin Community College will host three authors for the Spring 2022 Reading Series. Due to ongoing social distancing practices, the events will take place virtually. All readings begin at 7:30 p.m.

Sergio Rodriguez, MBA, was appointed to fill the vacancy on the District 509 Board of Trustees

Announcement | Board of Trustees

Published 02/01/2022

ECC Alum Sergio Rodriguez appointed to fill trustee vacancy

The Community College District 509 Board of Trustees has appointed Sergio Rodriguez to fill the trustee seat vacated by Jeffrey Meyer, JD, who resigned on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2021. Rodriguez, of Pingree Grove, was selected unanimously at the board’s Wednesday Jan. 26, 2022 special meeting.

Joe Rosenfeld, PsyD, professor of human services

Achievements | Faculty Profile

Published 01/28/2022

ECC’s Dr. Joe Rosenfeld, professor of human services, has work featured in industry publication

Joe Rosenfeld, PsyD, CRADC, HS-BCP, professor of human services, was recently featured in the Fall 2021 publication of Advances in Addiction and Recovery, the official publication of the NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals for his article “Neuroscience Informed Interventions.” Rosenfeld’s article is also spotlighted on the cover of the magazine.

Elgin Community College across Lake Spartan

Academics | Achievements

Published 01/19/2022

ECC Recognizes Fall 2021 Academic Scholars

2,594 students were named to an academic honor list for the fall 2021 semester.

ECC Nursing students administered vaccines to seniors during a February vaccine clinic hosted at ECC

Announcement | Events

Published 01/14/2022

Pre-registration required for upcoming vaccine clinics at ECC

Elgin Community College has joined in the effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 as a participating college in the White House and U.S. Department of Education COVID-19 College Vaccination Challenge. As part of this pledge, ECC is helping to increase ease and access to vaccines through its upcoming vaccination clinics to be held on Friday, Jan. 21 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Wednesday, Jan. 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Building K, East Lobby.

ECC Arts Center's American Grands Showcase

Arts Center | Events

Published 01/14/2022

American Grands returns to the ECC Arts Center on Jan. 22

On Saturday, January 22, the Elgin Community College Arts Center presents the live return of American Grands, celebrating its 27th year of performances. Pianists of all ages will gather for performances featuring music from recent movies, popular classic themes, Latin music, and more. Performance times are at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Elgin Community College across Lake Spartan

Academics | Announcement

Published 01/10/2022

ECC postpones the start of classes to January 24

In light of the rising COVID-19 infection rates and the state of Illinois’ guidance, ECC will delay the start of classes until Monday, January 24.

IST apprentices look at machinery

Announcement | Events | Training

Published 01/10/2022

ECC, Smithfield Foods to Sign First Cohort of Student Apprentices

ECC and Smithfield Foods, Inc. have partnered to offer a new maintenance technician apprenticeship program, designed to provide hands-on engineering and mechanical training to Smithfield employees at the company’s Bolingbrook, Monmouth, and St. Charles facilities as they work toward an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) – Integrated Systems/Maintenance Technology degree from ECC.

Elgin Community College across Lake Spartan

Announcement | Board of Trustees

Published 01/06/2022

ECC Seeks Trustee Candidates for Appointment due to Vacancy

The Board of Trustees of Community College District 509, Elgin Community College, announces a vacancy on the Board of Trustees due to the resignation of Jeffrey A. Meyer, JD. Under Illinois law, the board will appoint a trustee to fill the vacant seat from December 17, 2021, until the next consolidated election on Tuesday, April 4, 2023.