ECC named a National Exemplar in college and career readiness by ACT

Elgin Community College is a National Exemplar in Career Preparedness, ACT announced during its fourth annual National Gala on College and Career Readiness on June 22 in Washington, D.C. ECC was selected for the honor from three other semifinalists.

"We are excited to receive this prestigious award," said ECC President David Sam, JD, PhD, LLM. "We have outstanding partnerships with our District 509 high schools with the same mission to improve lives through learning. This honor exemplifies our commitment to successfully prepare students for college while they are still in high school."

ECC was chosen as an Illinois Exemplar in February 2016, one of 40 institutions representing their state. The nominees for the National Exemplar was culled to four, which included ECC, in May 2016.

National Exemplars were chosen by an external National Selection Committee comprising of education, business and political leaders. The exemplars are recognized for their exceptional commitment to improving college and career readiness for themselves, their students, their employees, and their communities.

"In their states and across the country, the exemplars in each category provide inspiration, innovation, and new ideas for practical solutions that are helping more individuals prepare for postsecondary and workplace success," said Scott Montgomery, ACT vice president of policy, advocacy, and government relations.

ECC was honored for its Alliance for College Readiness partnership that prepares high school students for college, offering open-door unemployment services to more than 100 individuals each month, and local financial literacy. Also noted was ECC's use of nine types of ACT WorkKeys® assessments to provide career preparation to both students and unemployed community members.

"ECC is deeply committed in not only helping students succeed in higher education, but to offer the best foundation for them to be trained for their careers," said Elizabeth Roeger, EdD, dean of developmental education and college transitions. "This recognition from ACT demonstrates that the college is moving in the right path."