2022 - ECC holds first National Adult Education Honor Society Induction Ceremony

On Wednesday, Dec. 7, Elgin Community College inducted its first group of adult education students into the National Adult Education Honor Society (NAEHS). The NAEHS was founded in 1991 by Lloyd Weaver, an adult education practitioner, to provide meaningful recognition to his students who had demonstrated remarkable perseverance in achieving their educational goals.

ECC’s new chapter of NAEHS is a student-driven initiative. An adult student learning community developed a project where they interviewed adult education students, faculty, and staff to develop recommendations for ECC’s adult education program. One suggestion was to recognize adult students, leading to the creation of the Induction Ceremony. Students inducted are awarded lapel pins, letters of recommendation for employment, and NAEHS membership certificates.

Erin Vobornik, ESL unit adjunct faculty, serves as the faculty sponsor for NAEHS. Vobornik and ECC adult basic education faculty nominate students for induction into the honor society. To be nominated, adult education students must demonstrate dependable attendance, a cooperative attitude, and a work ethic. “Student NAEHS members’ only obligation is to share with others what adult education has meant to them and encourage family members and others to take advantage of their local adult education programs,” said Vobornik. “It is a great pleasure to honor these students, and I look forward to working with them over the next year as their chapter faculty advisor.”

Marcia Luptak, associate dean of adult basic education, introduced each of the eight nominees during the ceremony. “I am really impressed by the dedication to becoming successful students,” said Luptak. “A lot have persevered through difficult challenges. These students amaze me.”

Each ECC inductee has a unique background and story. Anna Ewko, originally from Poland, holds two Master's degrees and was a teacher. Now in the US, she is determined to improve her English through ECC’s English as a Second Language course. “I am really surprised to be nominated and so honored,” said Ewko. “I have four kids, so it hasn’t been easy, but it has encouraged me to learn more and go even higher. I want to be a teacher again and teach at ECC.”

For more information on ECC’s adult basic education programs, visit elgin.edu/adulted.