Awards

Nancy Coleman Awarded YWCA Leadership Award in Education

May 9, 2025

Nancy Coleman accepts 2025 YWCA Leadership Award in Education

Alignment is thrilled to announce that our Executive Director, Nancy Coleman, was selected for this year’s Leadership Award in Education at the YWCA Leader Luncheon held May 8th. This YWCA event honors extraordinary women for their remarkable achievements and raises vital funds to support the YWCA Elgin’s impactful programs.

Nancy’s nomination included input from community leaders and educators across the region and highlighted her unwavering commitment to student success and workforce readiness.

Congratulations to Nancy and all of the 2025 nominees!

Nancy Coleman with Certificate of Nomination — Nancy Coleman accepts Nomination Certificate from Felicia King, YWCA Elgin CEO, and Diane Alfaro, Board Vice-Chair

Congratulations to the 2025 YWCA Leadership Awardees!

Hanover Township Recognition

April 15, 2025

On Saturday, April 12, Hanover Township hosted its annual Supervisor’s Community Service Award Breakfast. The Alignment Collaborative for Education was awarded Outstanding Organization of the Year nominated by the Streamwood Park District.

We extend our sincere thanks to Jeff Janda, Executive Director of the Streamwood Park District, for the nomination, Brian McGuire, Hanover Township Supervisor, and the Hanover Township trustees for this recognition. Alignment was proud to be among several outstanding organizations recognized for its impact and dedication to Hanover Township and the communities it serves.

Alignment Partners Recognized for Contributions to Our Schools, Community, and the State

February 20, 2025

Business Partner of the Year

Alignment Collaborative for Education was named Business Partner of the Year by School District U-46 as part of the Elgin Area Chamber Annual Meeting. Alignment and U-46 partnering together provided career education and work-based learning opportunities to approximately 10,000 students in U-46’s eight middle schools and five high schools. Alignment staff accept the award from U-46, joined by partner representatives from Elgin Community College, First Mid Bank & Trust, KCT Credit Union, and Nicor Gas.

IACTE Administrator of the Year

Terry Stroh, EFE Director, Northern Kane County Region 110 was named Administrator of the Year by the Illinois Association of Career and Technical Education (IACTE). This award each year recognizes the individual that leads efforts and partnerships that deliver innovative, unique, and effective career and technical education programs across the State of Illinois.

IACTE Teacher of the Year

Matt Erbach, Precision Manufacturing Teacher, South Elgin High School, was named Teacher of the Year by the Illinois Association of Career and Technical Education (IACTE). This award each year recognizes the individual that has demonstrated innovative learning opportunities for students that promote dedication and improvement in how career and technical education programs are designed and delivered in our schools, communities, and the state.

Robert (Bob) Malm recognized by the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce

November 27, 2024

Non-Profit Volunteer of the Year, 2024

Bob Malm, far left, is Alignment’s Volunteer of the Year

The Alignment Collaborative for Education (Alignment) nominated Bob Malm as one of the Elgin Area Chamber’s Volunteer of the Year at the annual Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce Thanksgiving recognition held on November 26, 2024 at Elgin Community College. Bob and his wife Carolyn have been role models of the community for over a decade. Passionate about workforce development and community, Bob has worked tirelessly to ensure students and families have the resources needed to prepare for future economic and social success.

Bob began his service mindset in the military followed by years of service with the City of Elgin and later retiring to help the business community with workforce development. During that time, Bob became a chief advocate of Alignment encouraging the community to invest in middle and high school students preparing them to graduate academic and career ready. Bob continues in this leadership role and has for over five years served on Alignment’s Operating Board and currently chairs Alignment’s Educational Pathways A-Team. Under his leadership, Alignment reached a milestone of serving over 10,000 students in 2024.

Bob believes in the power of education to change lives and to shape the future prosperity of a community, the region, and the state. It is befitting to be able to recognize Bob for the many contributions he has made to Alignment and the Elgin community.

William (Bill) Hoffer recognized by the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce

November 21, 2023

Non-Profit Volunteer of the Year, 2023

Alignment had the opportunity to name Bill Hoffer as the non-profit, Volunteer of the Year at the annual Thanksgiving dinner hosted by the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce. The event each year recognizes community leaders that significantly contribute to Elgin’s non-profit organizations. As the Hoffer Foundation website states “It’s not just plastics its personal”. Nothing could better describe Bill and the Hoffer Family’s commitment to the Elgin community. That commitment is evident in the raising and donation of millions of dollars to the community’s non-profit organizations, local charities, and families. However, you could debate that even more important is the human investment.

The Alignment Collaborative for Education was fortunate and blessed to have Bill Hoffer as a founding member from concept to implementation. Now almost a decade later, this organization serves over 8,500 students a year with a 100% commitment from Bill that all students should have the opportunity to graduate academic and career ready.

You will find Bill at the annual Explore event visiting with 2,700 8^th graders, and he is the first to open the doors to Hoffer Plastics to show high school students all the career opportunities available in the manufacturing industry. That work does not stop with the Alignment Collaborative. Bill has invested his leadership skills in growing Advocate Sherman Hospital to be a leader in providing world class healthcare. He, his wife Taffy, and his children continue to invest in the community’s children and youth as evidenced by the new Boys and Girls Club facility in South Elgin along with the YMCA, United Way, Habitat for Humanity, etc.

Bill believes in the power of education to change lives and to shape the future prosperity of a community, the region, and the state. It is befitting to be able to recognize Bill for those many contributions.

Larkin High School CTE Awards Day

April 28, 2023

Larkin High School seniors were recognized for their achievements while enrolled in career and technical education (CTE) courses including culinary, education, engineering and healthcare programs. Career and technical education (CTE) teachers had the opportunity to celebrate the students’ accomplishments as these seniors prepare to graduate on May 27, 2023 at the NOW Arena.

Alignment’s executive director, Nancy Coleman, participated in the awards ceremony by providing the keynote address. Coleman praised the students for utilizing their high school experience to prepare for future careers where many of these students graduate with highly marketable skills and certifications. As Coleman asked students “What’s Next?”, she encouraged “seniors to take advantage of opportunities, set goals, and find a career that challenges you to showcase your best performance”.

Alignment wishes to recognize all U-46 career and technical education (CTE) teachers for their contributions to ensuring students have the opportunity to graduate academic and career ready.