ECC Stories 2026

Faculty Profile

Published 04/15/2026

Dual Credit Manufacturing Teacher Prepares Students for Future Success in the Field

Dual credit manufacturing teacher Matt Erbach has been teaching South Elgin High School students for almost two decades, and now his classes allow his students to earn college credit.

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Student Profile

Published 04/12/2026

Meet Me Monday: Sienna Hughes

海角社区 dual credit student, Sienna Hughes, has always known she was meant for the spotlight. She was part of the ECC theatre production of “Our Town” last semester and is taking three theatre classes right now.

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ECC Student Kyle Virmond in the welding lab

Student Profile

Published 04/02/2026

Meet Me Monday: Kyle Virmond

海角社区 student Kyle Virmond knew from a young age that he wanted to work with his hands. After exploring automotive and manufacturing classes at Hampshire High School, he gave welding a try and has been pursuing it ever since.

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ECC student-athletes Enzo and Carter Novelli

Student Profile

Published 03/20/2026

Meet Me Monday: Carter and Enzo Novelli

Elgin Community College (ECC) student-athletes Carter and Enzo Novelli recognize what a privilege it is to represent ECC on and off the field. After attending Larkin High School, where they both played on the baseball team, the Novellis chose ECC because it was close to home and was the most affordable option.

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Student Profile

Published 03/14/2026

Meet Me Monday: Maile Fuller

海角社区 (ECC) student athlete Maile Fuller has come to love how easy it is to talk to people and connect with them. “It is such a social school. There is always something going on,” Fuller said.

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ECC Student Dani Macmillan stands in Building A

Student Profile

Published 03/06/2026

Meet Me Monday: Dani Macmillan

海角社区 (ECC) student Dani Macmillan has been dancing through life. From an early age, she knew dance would always be part of who she is. Driven by a passion for staying active and helping others move better, she completed an associate in science-kinesiology and a bachelor of science in exercise science. Macmillan is now enrolled in ECC’s Physical Therapy Assistant program.

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Student Profile

Published 03/02/2026

Meet Me Monday: Gio Tonielli

海角社区 dual credit student, Gio Tonielli, chose to get involved while in school.

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ECC Student and 25-26 Student Trustee Daniel Gidlund

Student Profile

Published 02/20/2026

Meet Me Monday: Daniel Gidlund

海角社区 student Daniel Gidlund has served as the Student Trustee on the ECC Board of Trustees since fall 2025. Running for the position was never part of his plan, despite a lifelong love of politics.

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ECC Student and Wellness Peer Jaloni Williams

Student Profile

Published 02/06/2026

Meet Me Monday: Jaloni Williams

海角社区 student and Wellness Peer Jaloni Williams came to ECC because she was unsure of what path she wanted to take. It wasn’t until she came across sociology that things came into place.

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Student Profile

Published 01/30/2026

Meet Me Monday: Laura Ciaccio

海角社区 student Laura Ciaccio is no stranger to reinventing herself.

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A person talks during a past Socrates Cafe discussion.

Student Resources

Published 01/27/2026

Socrates Cafe Spring 2026: Continuing Open Dialogue for Life’s Big Questions

ECC Associate Professor of Humanities Geoffrey Pynn will lead philosophical conversations in this semester's Socrates Cafe sessions. The group has always been a forum for open conversations among students, faculty, staff, and community members.

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Student Profile

Published 01/26/2026

Meet Me Monday: Bri Ortiz

“None of the others felt as homey as ECC does. This school is so community-based, and it feels like everyone here cares about you as a student,” ECC student Bri Ortiz said.

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Administrator Profile

Published 01/09/2026

Office Space: Jocelyn Santana

Jocelyn Santana comes from a family of educators but found quickly that her calling was in higher education.

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