Elgin Community College Announces 2026-27 Seigle Scholar Cohort

ELGIN, Ill., APRIL 20, 2026 —Four local students will attend Elgin Community College (ECC) at no cost this fall as members of the 2026-27 Seigle Scholar program, which covers tuition, fees, and books.

The Seigle Scholar program, established in 2024 by District 509 philanthropists Mark and Robin Seigle, supports graduating high school seniors and first-year college students by covering all student expenses for up to 60 credits toward an associate degree at ECC. This year marks the program’s third cohort of scholars.

“Mark and Robin Seigel’s commitment to the students of ECC and our community is embodied in the Seigle Scholar program,” said Rick Green, chair of the scholarship committee through the ECC Foundation Board and leader of the Seigle Scholar Selection Committee. “The students receiving these life-changing scholarships are fully engaged in their education and have a passion for community service. On behalf of the ECC Foundation Board and Scholarship Committee, we welcome the 2026 Seigle Scholar cohort to the ECC Campus and look forward to their continued success.”

The 2026-27 scholars are Juliana Arroyo, Daniela Ayala, Leah Foerster, and Solis Jaime.

Juliana Arroyo

Juliana Arroyo, of Hanover Park and a Bartlett High School senior, will major in nursing this fall. During CNA clinicals at a local rehabilitation center, she worked directly with patients, developing a passion for compassionate, person-centered care.

“I was able to see the whole person and not just see their disability,” Arroyo said. “I’d lend an ear to them when they needed to talk, be the person they needed for care, and for support.”

Danielle Ayala

Daniela Ayala, an Elgin resident and St. Charles North High School senior, will also pursue nursing like Arroyo this fall. As a math teaching assistant, she supports her Spanish-speaking classmates.

“Through this role, I developed confidence, leadership, and an enormous sense of responsibility to support individuals who lack a voice and representation,” she said.

Ayala chose to study nursing because she wanted to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and provide them with care. She was named an Illinois State Scholar and earned the Seal of Biliteracy.

Leah Foerster

Leah Foerster, an Elgin High School senior from Elgin, plans to study psychology. A leader in both academics and the arts, she served as a dance captain and helped choreograph and teach performances.

Solis Jaime

Solis Jaime is a Carpentersville resident and Hampshire High School senior who will pursue an associate degree in liberal studies. Jaime has been active in community service through Girl Scouts and school organizations, focusing on supporting underserved populations.

“Community services exposed me to vulnerable populations in my area, such as the elderly, low-income families, and underprivileged communities,” Jaime said. “It [has been] satisfying to bring awareness to these social issues that surround me.”

To support scholarships, visit elgin.edu/foundation.

Contact:
Elgin Community College
Communications
Office: 847.214.7838
Email: news@elgin.edu

About ECC: An Achieving the Dream Leader College and one of the Aspen Institute’s Top 200 schools in the nation, Elgin Community College (ECC) is a comprehensive, fully accredited public community college and serves approximately 16,000 students each year Programs of study include more than 30 major fields for university transfer, a full complement of pre-collegiate courses, corporate and continuing education, and more than 130 career-oriented occupational degrees and certificates. ECC is also a U.S. Department of Education-designated Hispanic Serving Institution.

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