Denisse Camargo: Making connections that last a lifetime

When I graduated high school, I was disoriented and was not even sure if enrolling at Elgin Community College was what I wanted. The only thing I was sure about was that I wanted to study business. I wasn’t confident ECC could offer much for me, but everything changed during a college tour.

I decided that evening to apply to become a student worker in the Office of Student Life, and that was the best decision I could ever have made. By the time I started classes in the fall of 2017, my peers had fully opened their arms and shared their stories with me. I met people with similar career paths who showed me the way to succeed in my classes, the extracurricular activities ECC offered, and the way to make my ECC experience memorable.

During 2018-2019 I had the pleasure of being the Phi Theta Kappa Treasurer. My role allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and get involved in our college and our community alongside outstanding individuals. Even though it required additional time, this opportunity showed me that behind every event at ECC, there is a team of eager people wanting to show students that ECC is much more than just an affordable college.

I encourage future students to pay more attention as they walk from point A to point B. I’m sure they will be surprised to notice how every day something interesting is going on at ECC. Don’t hesitate to try something new just because you do not want to go it alone—that’s how you make connections that last a lifetime.

--Denisse Camargo ‘19

Associate in Arts

Elgin

Contact: Elissa Kojzarek

Communications Specialist

Office: 847-214-7838

Email: news@elgin.edu

Elgin Community College (ECC) is a comprehensive public community college, one of 48 statewide. ECC serves approximately 15,000 students each year. Programs of study include 25 major fields for university transfer, more than 130 career-oriented, occupational degrees and certificates, corporate and continuing education, and a full complement of pre-collegiate courses. The three-year graduation rate exceeds the national average and the average of peer colleges. ECC awards more than 2,200 degrees and certificates each year.

ECC NEWS MEDIA PROTOCOL

All members of the media should utilize the public relations department as the first point of contact. The communications specialist, may be reached at 847-214-7828, or news@elgin.edu. All Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests must be submitted in writing to Marilyn Prentice, compliance officer, at mprentice@elgin.edu or via fax at 847-214-7375. This release is the official newshead for Elgin Community College. Any information received on behalf of ECC not on this newshead should be disregarded.