ECC spokeswoman Toya Webb receives national award

Elgin Community College Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Toya Webb was selected as a 2018 40 Under 40 honoree by the American Association for Women in Community Colleges.

Webb accepted her award at the association's annual breakfast and awards ceremony in Dallas on April 29.

The "40 Under 40" award recognizes outstanding female leaders under the age of 40 who are known for being difference makers, game-changers and movers and shakers at the community colleges they serve. Webb was one of 40 women from across the nation to receive the award.

"Toya has made her mark on ECC and its community, not just through the outcomes of her hard work or the vision of her leadership, but by the way she has inspired us all through the stories she shapes of our students and our college," said David Sam, JD, Ph.D., LLM, president of ECC. "She is well-deserving of the AAWCC recognition as a '40 Under 40 honoree.' I consider her an asset to the college, our students and as a member of my cabinet."

Webb has excelled in her roles at the college - from a communications specialist to her appointment as executive director of communications - during her six years of employment. In her current role as chief marketing and communications officer, she leads an award-winning team of 20 talented and experienced professionals in ECC's marketing and communications department, which consists of four areas: marketing, communications, web services and print services.

A former journalist, Webb represents the college and engages with reporters as the official spokesperson. She has strategically enriched the college's social media presence, internal communications and focus on strategic digital marketing, while overseeing an internal merger of the marketing and communications teams. Webb also helped develop a media training program that she has presented at ECC and at district and national conferences.

"I feel blessed to be recognized at the national level for doing what I love," Webb said. "As a proud community college graduate, it is an honor and a privilege to work for a Leader College that is truly dedicated to serving students and laser focused on moving student success ahead."

Webb is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Higher Education and Organizational Change from Benedictine University, where she maintains a 4.0 grade-point average. She trained at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School for Crisis Leadership, and currently holds a Master of Science in Integrated Marketing Communications from Roosevelt University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Webb started her academic journey as a first-generation college student at Jefferson Community College in upstate New York, where she earned an Associate in Arts degree.

Founded in 1973, the American Association for Women in Community Colleges is the leading national organization that champions women and strives for equity in education and employment for women in community, junior and technical colleges. The association provides education, career development and advancement to both women educators and students.