Administration - President

Biography

Dr. Peggy Heinrich, a passionate educator and leader, has been an integral part of Elgin Community College (ECC) since 2007. With a career dedicated to advancing adult education and student success, she has held multiple leadership roles within the institution and is committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and dynamic learning environment.

Leadership Journey at ECC

Dr. Heinrich began her career at ECC as the Associate Dean of Adult Education before advancing to the role of Dean of Adult Education and Workforce Development. Over the last eight years, she served as Vice President of Teaching, Learning, and Student Development, overseeing the college’s academic and student services divisions. In 2024, she transitioned to the position of Interim President, showcasing her leadership and dedication. Dr. Heinrich was officially appointed as President in 2025.

Prior Experience and Expertise

Before joining ECC, Dr. Heinrich worked for the Illinois Community College Board as Associate Director for Adult Education and Family Literacy. She has also held roles as a Community Literacy Grant Monitor for the Secretary of State’s Literacy Office, an independent consultant for adult education and fundraising, and Director of Programs at Literacy Chicago. She began her career as a high school English teacher and later taught English as a Second Language to adult learners in various community organizations.

Academic Credentials

Dr. Heinrich holds a Doctor of Education in Community College Leadership from Ferris State University, graduating with the Highest Distinction and receiving the 2017 Faculty Award for Distinguished Scholar-Practitioner. She also earned a Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics (Teaching English as a Second Language) from Northeastern Illinois University and a Bachelor of Arts in English/Secondary Education with a minor in Communications from DePaul University. Additionally, she is a Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) with the Yoga Alliance.

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Heinrich’s dedication to education has earned her numerous accolades, including the 2023 YWCA Harriet Gifford and Hattie Griffin Education Leadership Award, ECC’s Leader of the Year Award (2014 and 2018), and the 2022-2023 Aspen Rising Presidents Fellowship with the Aspen Institute.

Service to the Educational Community

Dr. Heinrich is an active leader within the educational community, serving on various boards and committees. She was Vice President of the Illinois Community College Chief Academic Officers Executive Council (2023-2024) and Secretary the previous year. She currently serves on several influential boards, including the Alignment Collaborative for Education, the Golden Corridor Family YMCA, the Elgin Area Chamber, and ECC’s Illinois Small Business Development Center. She has also contributed to numerous working groups focused on educational equity and partnerships, including the Illinois Board of Higher Education Strategic Planning Equity Working Group.

Innovative Contributions at ECC

As Dean, Dr. Heinrich developed impactful programs for adult learners, such as Integrated Education and Training and bridge programs, which helped ECC achieve recognition as a 2017 Bellwether Award Finalist. She also played a pivotal role in creating the "Education and Work Center" in Hanover Park, a collaborative initiative between ECC, Harper College, and other community partners, which serves as a model for educational partnerships.

Commitment to Equity and Excellence

As Vice President, Dr. Heinrich led initiatives aimed at closing equity gaps, helping ECC earn the designation of Leader College of Distinction by Achieving the Dream. She promoted a culture of solution-oriented collaboration and consensus-building. Under her leadership, ECC expanded dual credit offerings, launched a comprehensive Quality Improvement Project focused on equity in student learning assessments, and successfully negotiated several collective bargaining agreements, ensuring quality and continuity for ECC students during the pandemic and beyond.