2024 - Meet Isabela Olivarez

Math lover Isabela Olivarez, a student at Elgin Community College, has had a passion for numbers since she was a little girl. “I’ve taken a lot of math classes here, and when I got into calculus and higher-level classes, I found that I really liked it,” Olivarez said. “It’s a challenge for me, and I like getting to know the answer because there always is one.”

Olivarez came to ECC right out of high school and, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, decided it was smart to start somewhere close to home and affordable. In August of 2022, she became a student worker in Admissions, dedicating herself to assisting others in navigating campus life — a rewarding experience for her.

“We get a lot of new students, and I know what it’s like to feel lost,” Olivarez said. “I’m a first-gen student, and I don’t know how to go about college, so I like helping others because I’ve been there before.”

Olivarez truly found herself at ECC because of the community and the friendships she’s been able to form with other student workers and club life. “I love it here so much,” she said. 

Learn more about Olivarez! While she is set on walking the commencement stage this May and entering her next educational journey as a math major, she’s still here to help any of her peers in need.

Share one thing you do outside of ECC. One thing I started doing was creative writing for fun, like stories and poems. I always did it when I was younger. When I was in middle school, I loved writing. I’d write books about the most random things. I just came back to it this past year, and it’s such a release.

What’s your favorite social media channel and why? Probably TikTok. I really like it because I curated my page to be more inspirational. There are a lot of good quotes on healthy, positive reminders.

What is your favorite spot on campus? The Office of Student Life. I’m an officer in the United States of All Cultures Club. The cubicle space is great for meeting new people and hanging out with all the different clubs.

What’s on your playlist/podcast list? I listen to Leo Skepi. He does lifestyle and advice, so I listen to him a lot, he’s really great. For music, I really like Olivia Rodrigo, SZA, and others.

Shout out an ECC staff member or peer! Michelle Ramirez from TRiO. She’s my advisor there, and she’s helped me a lot by adjusting here and making friends during TRiO events. She’s also helped me in picking a major. She’s great.