Post Secondary Education

Biology/Biological Studies, Business/Real Estate, Computer & Information Sciences, Economics, Education (#1 nationally), Engineering, Finance, Psychology.
D1 and major R1 research university

University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee

Size: Large
Milwaukee, WI

Health Sciences, Business, STEM

Western Illinois University

Size: Medium
Macomb, IL

Nursing, Business, Law Enforcement

Additional Sessions Offered

U.S. Armed Forces

Have an interest in the military but don’t know where to start? Sign up for this session to learn about the different branches (Army, Marine Corp, etc.) and how to pursue a military career after high school. Whether it’s going straight to bootcamp or joining ROTC at a university, the military offers many benefits to students regarding employment, affording college, job training, and leadership development.

FAFSA (2)

Learn the basics about paying for college. Topics covered include applying FAFSA, different types of financial aid, calculating the cost of tuition between community college and 4-year schools, resources for undocumented applicants, work-study opportunities, and scholarship opportunities.

College Essay Writing Support Workshop

Learn the basics and best practices for writing a powerful college essay. Get step-by-step guidance on how to get started, how to answer common essay prompts, and how to stand out and showcase who you are in your college applications.

Honest Game (NCAA)

Interested in playing sports in college? Join this workshop to learn about what it takes to play sports in college, the differences between NCAA Divisions I, II, III, and NAIA levels, and academic requirements and eligibility.

Elgin Community College Apprenticeship Programs

Earn your associates degree at ECC while receiving paid on-the-job training. ECC’s apprenticeship programs combine in-class instruction with mentorship by a local employer in the areas of CNA, Culinary, Trades, Firefighting and Paramedic Studies. Tuition, books, and fees are provided.

Personal Finance and College Affordability

Meet R & R Wealth Management and Pathways Planning Insights. Both organizations focus on personal finances and how to choose an educational pathway that maximizes your access to educational pathways aligned with your goals and financial future.

Sophomore and Junior Postsecondary Day reaches over 4,200 students!

March 11, 2025

More than 25 universities, colleges, and organizations joined Alignment and School District U-46 for the Sophomore and Junior Postsecondary Virtual Day on March 4. Reaching the largest number of students to date, 4,238 individual students attended the event with university and college admissions staff and visiting faculty. Students received information about FAFSA, learned about program admission and apprenticeships at Elgin Community College, and also had the opportunity to learn about corporate-based apprenticeships from Zurich Insurance. Students received advice from U-46 alumni now in college, learned about military service, along with student athletes receiving assistance in NCAA eligibility.

Thank you to the following colleges, universities, and organizations for partnering with Alignment and U-46 to offer the Sophomore and Junior Postsecondary Day:

Aurora University 
Bradley University
DePaul University 
Elgin Community College 
Elmhurst University
Grand Valley State University
 Harper College 
Honest Game – NCAA Academic Eligibility
 Illinois State University
 Judson University
Lincoln College of Technology 
Loyola University 
Marquette University
North Central College

Northern Illinois University
Purdue University 
Southern Illinois University 
Universal Technical Institute
 University of Dayton 
University of Illinois Chicago 
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
 University of Iowa
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
University of Wisconsin Whitewater 
U.S. Armed Forces 
Western Illinois University
Xavier University
Zurich Insurance

Thank you to all the volunteers from these organizations who made this event a huge success, as well as to our Alignment partners from the U-46 Postsecondary Success Team, Elgin Community College, and Northern Kane County Region 110, who facilitated 32 different sessions for students.

Senior Postsecondary Virtual Day

October 23, 2024

More than 25 universities, colleges, and organizations joined Alignment and School District U-46 for the third annual Senior Postsecondary Virtual Day on October 16. A record number of students attended with 794 individual seniors participating. Seniors who attended the event were able to get information from university and college admissions staff, current college students, FAFSA, military service, and NCAA eligibility, etc.

For students who are undecided about their interest in postsecondary colleges and universities, a session was included about future employment and apprenticeship opportunities with information about Elgin Community College’s apprenticeship programs and the outlook for future employment in the region and state.

Thank you to the following colleges, universities, and organizations for partnering with Alignment and U-46 to offer the Senior Postsecondary Day:

Aurora University
Bradley University
DePaul University
Elgin Community College
Elmhurst University
Harper College
Honest Game – NCAA Academic Eligibility
Illinois Department of Employment Security
Illinois State University
Judson University
Lincoln College of Technology
Loyola University
Marquette University
North Central College
Northern Illinois University
Nova Southeastern University
Purdue University
Southern Illinois University
Universal Technical Institute
University of Dayton
University of Illinois Chicago
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
U.S. Armed Forces
Western Illinois University
Xavier University

Alignment Hosts CTE Senior Job Fair for School Districts U-46, 300, and 301

April 30, 2024

Alignment CTE Senior Job Fair Student overview image

Connecting students from nine high schools to regional employers

Nine high schools from School Districts U-46, 300, and 301 had the opportunity to send over 500 students to the annual CTE Senior Job Fair. Students visited with 50 business and community organizations across the region representing the automotive, culinary, education, energy, financial services, healthcare, insurance, and manufacturing industries. Many students as a result of the resume workshops had resumes ready to share with employers.

In addition to learning about job openings across these industry sectors, all students had the opportunity to attend Elgin Community College (ECC) information sessions to help them prepare to transition to postsecondary opportunities as they graduate in May. Joined by Northern Kane County Region 110 and the three school districts, Alignment considers this event to be the opportunity to showcase with students employment opportunities throughout the region as soon as they graduate from high school in May.

Bill Wright, Alignment’s Governing Board chair, visited throughout the day commenting about “the importance of this event as it seamlessly connects students preparing to graduate to employment opportunities that lead to positions in high growth industries with multiple advancement opportunities. We appreciate the support of our business community in bringing these opportunities to students as they prepare for the future workforce.”

Thank You to Our Sponsors

AED Foundation
Advocate Sherman Hospital
AT&T
City of Elgin
Elgin Community College
Elgin Sweeper

Elgin Township
Exelon
First Mid Bank & Trust
Grand Victoria Foundation
Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc.
Hoffer Foundation
KCT Credit Union

David and Sandy Kaptain
Lauderdale Electric
Nicor Gas
Seigle Foundation
United Way Metro Chicago
Wolko Design Group

Thank You Exhibitors

Advocate Sherman Hospital
Altorfer CAT
Aperion Care Fox River
Ascension Saint Joseph Hospital
A-TEC Ambulance
Avantara
Bartlett Park District
Black Diamond Plumbing & Mechanical
Bob Loquercio Auto Group
Boys and Girls Club of Elgin
Bria of Geneva
Business and Career Services Inc.
D300 Human Resources
D301 Human Resources
ECC Culinary Department
ECC Apprenticeship Program
ECC Ophthalmic Technician Program
ECC Welding

ECC WIOA program
Elgin Sweeper
Fox Valley Internet
Golden Corridor Family YMCA
High Point Dentistry
High Voltage Electric
Highland Oaks of Elgin
Hoffer Plastics
John B. Sanfilippo & Son (Fisher Nuts)
Judson University
KCT Credit Union
LifeLine Ambulance
Lincoln College of Technology
Luna Cakes
Manpower
MAPEI
Nicor Gas
NIU – PLEDGE Program

NIU – School of Family and Consumer Sciences
Northwest Special Recreation Association (NWSRA)
Official Finders
Potbelly
Rosati’s/Rosati’s University
Standard Equipment
State Farm
Streamwood Park District
U-46 Human Resources
U-46 Plant Operations
U-46 Transportation
UTI
Village of South Elgin
Well Child Center
West Side Tractor Sales
Wintrust Bank

Nine regional high schools to participate in CTE Senior Job Fair on April 18

April 11, 2024

More than 800 students expected from Districts U-46, 300 and 301

Nine high schools from School Districts U-46, 300, and 301 will participate in the upcoming CTE Senior Job Fair on April 18, 2024, at Elgin Community College (ECC). Hosted by the Alignment Collaborative for Education and Northern Kane County Region 110, an expected 800 students will visit with more than 50 employers representing the automotive, business, culinary, education, engineering, healthcare, manufacturing, information technology, and welding industry clusters.

Students will also have the opportunity to meet with ECC’s Admissions, Financial Aid, and Student Support representatives as some plan to graduate in May and transition to ECC by August choosing both to work and go to school simultaneously.

This event in its fourth year gives students the opportunity to graduate with industry credentials earned in the high schools’ career and technical education (CTE) programs to immediately transition to the local workforce gainfully employed. “These students have a career plan upon graduation deployable to some of the best companies in the region offering upward mobility as experience grows.” shares Nancy Coleman, Alignment’s executive director.

Thank you to the following sponsors and exhibitors for making this event possible. We look forward to hearing that these students go to work in the greater Elgin area and the region.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

AED Foundation
Advocate Sherman Hospital
AT&T
City of Elgin
Elgin Community College
Elgin Sweeper

Elgin Township
Exelon
First Mid Bank & Trust
Grand Victoria Foundation
Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc.
Hoffer Foundation
KCT Credit Union

David and Sandy Kaptain
Lauderdale Electric
Nicor Gas
Seigle Foundation
United Way Metro Chicago
Wolko Design Group

Thank You Exhibitors

Sophomore and Junior Postsecondary Day Benefits 2,200 Students

March 11, 2024

Over 35 community colleges, universities, corporate apprenticeships, and technical institutes participated in Alignment and U-46’s first Sophomore and Junior Postsecondary Day on March 5. In addition to students meeting college and university enrollment specialists, students met professionals offering sessions in the college search process, NCAA participation, military service recruitment, and FAFSA. More than 2,200 students benefited from the experience across U-46’s high schools to include visits with current college and university students advising students on the transition from high school to careers.

Post Secondary Education

Attention U-46 Seniors! Don’t MissSenior Postsecondary DayWednesday, October 15!

Join us on Zoom choosing from 16 different sessions.

Sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. and end by 12:15 p.m.

Why You Should Attend:

Attend Sessions to Help You Learn More About:

Senior Postsecondary Day Session ScheduleWednesday, October 15, 2025

SESSION 1: 8:30 – 9:15 a.m.

SESSION 2: 9:30 – 10:15 a.m.

SESSION 3: 10:30 – 11:15 a.m.

SESSION 4: 11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

University, College and Technical Institute Panels

Size Reference Guide:

Additional Sessions Offered

U.S. Armed Forces

FAFSA (2)

College Essay Writing Support Workshop

Honest Game (NCAA)

Elgin Community College Apprenticeship Programs

Personal Finance and College Affordability

Connecting students from nine high schools to regional employers

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Thank You Exhibitors

More than 800 students expected from Districts U-46, 300 and 301

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Thank You Exhibitors

Footer

Attention U-46 Seniors! Don’t Miss
Senior Postsecondary Day
Wednesday, October 15!

Senior Postsecondary Day
Session Schedule
Wednesday, October 15, 2025