Elgin Community College notes

Nursing pre-admission exams:ŒThe Elgin Community College professional nursing program has scheduled five opportunities in January to take the pre-admission exam for entry into the spring or fall 2009 classes.

The first opportunity to take the exam is from 8:30 a.m. to noon Jan. 19 in room 183 of the Health and Business Technology building.

The other four opportunities are 9 a.m. or noon Jan. 24 or 31 in the Testing Center located in room 108 of the Student Resource Center.

The registration deadlines are Jan. 15, 20 and 27, respectively, and all seats are on a first come/first served basis. Both buildings are located on the ECC main campus, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin.

The exam, sponsored by the National League for Nursing, is required prior to entering the nursing program. The nonrefundable fee for the test is $85, payable by cash, check or charge. Students must register and pay at nlnonlinetesting.org/pax.

Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express are accepted.

For information about the exam, call (847) 214-7219. For information about the nursing program, call (847) 214-7350 or visit the Web site at www.elgin.edu/nursing.

Founders' Brunch:ŒThe Elgin Community College Foundation will host its annual Founders' Brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 20 in the Visual and Performing Arts Center, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. The champagne reception begins at 11:30 a.m. followed by the brunch at noon.

This annual event, held the first or second Sunday in January, commemorates the founding of the college in 1949. It is a mid-day brunch with an upscale menu that begins with a champagne reception and includes entertainment and raffles for gifts and prizes. Time is also set aside to bestow special awards and recognitions. Funds raised provide financial support to the students and instructional programs of ECC.

Tickets are $75 per person. For details, call (847) 214-7377.

NxLevel for Entrepreneurs:ŒElgin Community College's Illinois Small Business Development Center is offering NxLevel for Entrepreneurs, a 12-week comprehensive course that will meet from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays, beginning Feb. 20 through May 14.

The intensive training program includes workshops with experienced business educators, guest lectures by prominent business leaders, networking opportunities with local business leaders, and one-on-one business counseling.

The course focuses on teaching sound and proven business practices while producing a comprehensive business plan to guide business expansion decisions and activities.

The course will be held at ECC in the Fox Valley University and Business Center, 1700 Spartan Drive in Elgin.

The course enrollment fee is $475, which includes a comprehensive reference book, workbook and all class handouts.

Class size is limited to 20 students. The registration deadline is Feb. 15. For information on the program or to register, call the Illinois SBDC at (847) 214-7488.

Business counseling:ŒThe Illinois Small Business Development Center at Elgin Community College now offers business counseling services via the phone and e-mail for small business owners.

By completing a request for counseling form, small business owners are entitled to unlimited, free, confidential business counseling in person, over the phone or through e-mail.

Center business coaches are professionally trained with backgrounds in small business issues. They work with small business owners overseeing, assisting and guiding them in developing, starting and growing their business. A business coach can help clarify business goals and objectives and give the resources needed to operate a successful business.

Business counseling services are funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the U.S. Small Business Administration.

For information on the program or to register, contact the Illinois SBDC at (847) 214-7488 or sbdc@elgin.edu.