Support the Work of Alignment
Thank you for your donation to Alignment to support students graduating academic and career ready prepared for the future workforce. Donations like yours have enabled Alignment to:
- Reach more than 15,000 students with career planning resources across School Districts U-46, 300, 301, and 303.
- Contribute 13,258 volunteer hours in our partner school districts representing an investment of over $800,000 to the schools and the region.
- Grow paid summer internship placements in 11 high schools by 66% partnering with Northern Kane County Region 110 and Elgin Community College’s Taking Back the Trades grant.
- Expand as part of the Elgin United Way Neighborhood Network opportunities for students and families to access career planning services while also beginning to address the critical challenge of youth mental health and wellness.
These milestones would not be possible without your financial investment. We share a commitment to collaboratively bring schools and communities together to positively impact the future workforce. With your investment, we prepare students today with their families to ensure a future of economic and social prosperity.
Support the Work of Alignment today!
What’s New
No Frights, Just Futures in the Making!
October 29, 2026
Behind every great career journey is an opportunity to explore, learn, and discover what’s possible. This third quarter, Alignment and its partners helped students across our region do just that, opening doors to new industries, introducing them to inspiring professionals, and bringing career pathways to life.
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Bringing Postsecondary Possibilities to U-46 Seniors
October 20, 2026
More than 25 universities, colleges, and organizations joined Alignment and School District U-46 for Senior Virtual Postsecondary Day on October 14 reaching 1,851 attendees across 16 sessions.
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Nancy Coleman Named a National Finalist for Prestigious ACTE Award
October 14, 2026
Alignment Collaborative for Education is proud to announce that Executive Director Nancy Coleman has been named the ACTE Region III Carl D. Perkins Community Service Award winner and selected as one of five national finalists for this prestigious honor.
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EXPLORE 2026 Highlights
October 5, 2026
On October 1 more than 2,600 8th grade students from nine U-46 middle schools visited Explore 2026, held at the NOW Arena. This annual event connects students preparing to enter high school with more than a hundred careers to explore. Joined by 71 business and community partners as exhibitors, Explore showcases the fastest growing careers in the greater Elgin area from automotive and manufacturing opportunities to healthcare professions.
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Welcome Katelyn and Daija to the Alignment Team!
September 9, 2026
Alignment is excited to welcome Katelyn Mucci Segura as Associate Executive Director and Daija Bates as Community and School Program Coordinator. Their combined experience in nonprofit leadership, education, student engagement, community partnerships, and workforce development brings valuable new perspectives and strengthens Alignment’s ability to connect students, schools, businesses, and community partners across the region.
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One Month to Explore!
September 1, 2026
The Alignment Collaborative for Education and School District U-46 will host over 2,400 8th graders, and business and community professionals to introduce the students to more than 100 careers on October 1, 2026. Eighth grade students will have the opportunity to visit with business and industry partners, learn more about the academies plus dual credit opportunities and explore the U-46 career pathways.
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ACE is a member of the Alignment USA communities of collaboration and collective impact.

