Past Presidents - Dr. Mark L. Hopkins “Lightning Rod”

Mark Hopkins, a dynamic and proactive individual, served as the President of Elgin Community College from 1975 to 1982. Always championing the best interests of the college and its faculty, Hopkins was recalled by Lynn Willett as a transformative force who altered the college's trajectory.

During his presidency, Hopkins undertook two crucial tasks: giving greater attention to the Latino community and enhancing community outreach. Under his leadership, the Community Outreach for Placement and Assessment (COPA) was established, fostering collaboration with Latino and other minority communities.

A key focus for Hopkins was securing grants. He recognized that ECC had not received its fair share of federal and state grants, so he aimed for improvement. His outreach strategy involved leveraging non-credit community education to promote the college and boost credit enrollment.

Hopkins achieved significant milestones, including implementing 20 new instructional programs, securing $3 million in grants, and doubling the college's enrollment. His energetic approach left a lasting impact on Elgin Community College during a pivotal period in its history.