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In the Spotlight

Kristina Garcia, PhD, associate dean of communications and behavioral sciences

Administrator Profile

Kristina Garcia brings her family values to ECC

During Kristina Garcia’s first visit to campus, she had her mother by her side, waiting for her in the Jobe Lounge while interviewing for associate dean of communications and behavioral sciences. Garcia’s unconditional support for her family is reflected in her role as associate dean in supporting Elgin Community College faculty and students.

Evelin Gonzalez, student speaker for the Spring 2022 Career and Technical Programs Commencement Ceremony

Achievements | Commencement | Graduation Essays | Student Profile

Evelin Gonzalez Tapia: I am standing in front of you because I have received help, encouragement, and guidance

Thank you Dr. Gregory Robinson, and ECC faculty and trustees. It's my honor today to deliver the commencement address for my incredible fellow ECC classmates. Also, I want to welcome peers’ families, and faculty to this graduation day at Elgin Community College. Please note that each one of you has made a positive impact on each one of us who is graduating today.

Dylan Mejdrich, student speaker for the Spring 2022 University Transfer Commencement Ceremony

Achievements | Commencement | Graduation Essays | Student Profile

Dylan Mejdrich: ECC has been an opportunity, a blessing, a second chance, and a place to put my head down and get to work

I want to thank everyone for coming to graduation. I haven’t seen this many happy people in quite some time. It is humbling to be able to address and represent a group with so many different stories to tell.

Claudia Robles, Spring 2022 ECC Graduate

Achievements | Commencement | Graduation Essays | Student Profile

Claudia Robles: ECC gave me the opportunity to mature and learn

When I was a high school student, I never thought I would be able to say I am vice president of student government, the social media coordinator for the Human Services Club, an Elgin Community College honors graduate, and transferring to my dream school, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Karina Hernandez Flores, Spring 2022 ECC Graduate

Achievements | Commencement | Graduation Essays | Student Profile

Karina Hernandez Flores: Whatever you want from life, you will be capable of reaching it and inspiring others

Did you have a chance to stop and think about what you want from life? It might be one of the most challenging questions that someone can answer. As a mother of eight children, my immediate answer is “to be a good mom,” but a question behind that answer resonated in my mind: “How to become that good mom that my children need?” Then I realized that what I needed was to understand who I am.

Jenna Manzano, Spring 2022 ECC Graduate

Achievements | Commencement | Graduation Essays | Student Profile

Jenna Manzano: ECC has taught me to be proud of who I am and what I have done

Elgin Community College was a surprise in many different ways. I hadn’t considered applying here until a few weeks before school started in 2020. My future was uncertain due to the global pandemic and family complications, but ECC provided me with normalcy.

Diana Rodriguez, Spring 2022 Graduate

Achievements | Commencement | Graduation Essays | Student Profile

Diana Rodriguez: I’m deeply grateful for all that ECC has done for me

When I began my journey at Elgin Community College, graduating with my Associate in Science appeared to me like an impossible goal to achieve. I felt this way for many reasons, and it seemed that there were more reasons why I would not make it than reasons why I could.

Patrick Able, Spring 2022 ECC Graduate

Achievements | Commencement | Graduation Essays | Student Profile

Patrick Able: For the first time in my life, I am not directionless, and I have ECC to thank for that

I never considered getting an education past high school was something meant for me. For ten years, I was in and out of Elgin Community College multiple times, trying different things. I reapplied to ECC one last time, and it has been one of the best academic experiences of my life.

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ECC in the News

ECC hosts in-person adult education information session on July 12

Elgin Community College will hold an in-person adult student 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.

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.