Alignment

Bringing Postsecondary Possibilities to U-46 Seniors

October 20, 2026

Alignment Senior Postsecondary Day, Wednesday, October 14, 2026. Gold text on blue background surrounded by images of students enjoying campus life.

Alignment and School District U-46 bring together 25+ colleges, universities, and organizations to help seniors plan their next steps.

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.

As they met with admissions counselors and visiting faculty, students were able to gain valuable guidance as they envisioned the next steps in their academic and professional endeavors. Specialized sessions also provided students vital tools and resources through college essay tutoring and FAFSA preparation. From learning about technical programs and transfer opportunities at Elgin Community College, to exploring military service pathways, to hearing from U-46 alumni sharing their personal postsecondary experiences at various institutions, every student became better informed leading to stronger postsecondary planning.

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
Dominican University
Elgin Community College
Elgin Community College Manufacturing Center
Elmhurst University
Grand Valley State University
Harper College
Honest Game – NCAA Academic Eligibility
Illinois State University
Iowa State University
Judson University
Lincoln College of Technology
Loyola University

Marquette University
National Louis University
Northern Illinois University
Purdue University
Roosevelt University
Southern Illinois University
Universal Technical Institute
University of Dayton
University of Illinois – Chicago
University of Illinois – Urbana
University of Wisconsin – Madison
U.S. Armed Forces
Valparaiso University
Western Illinois University

We greatly appreciate all the volunteers from these organizations who made this event a huge success, joined by our U-46 Postsecondary Team and Northern Kane County Region 110.

Nancy Coleman Named a National Finalist for Prestigious ACTE Award

October 14, 2026

photo of Nancy Coleman next to text: Nancy Coleman named one of five national finalists for prestigious ACTE Community Service Award

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.

Since 2017, Nancy has led efforts to strengthen the workforce pipeline across Kane County through innovative partnerships that bring education, business, and community organizations together to expand career opportunities for students. Her collaborative leadership has helped thousands of students connect classroom learning with real-world experiences, explore career pathways, and prepare for future success.

“Nancy Coleman has helped transform how our region connects education, business, and community in service to students. Her ability to bring people together around a shared commitment to young people has created meaningful career opportunities for thousands of students and strengthened our region’s future workforce,” shared Dr. Todd Stirn, Work-Based Learning Specialist for Northern Kane County Vocational Region 110.

Dr. Stirn, who wrote Nancy’s award nomination, added, “Nancy does not simply open doors for students; she builds the partnerships that make those doors possible. Having had the privilege of writing Nancy’s nomination for the ACTE Carl D. Perkins Community Service Award, I can attest to the extraordinary leadership, collaboration, and commitment to student success that define her work. Her recognition as a national finalist is richly deserved.”

That same spirit of collaboration is reflected in the strong partnership between Nancy and Northern Kane County Region 110, whose leaders are proud to see her work recognized on the national stage.

“The Northern Kane County Regional Vocational System is excited to attend the ACTE CareerTech VISION conference this year and cheer on Nancy Coleman as she represents Illinois and Region III as a national finalist for the Carl D. Perkins Community Service Award,” shared Terry Stroh, Director of Northern Kane County Region 110.

“Northern Kane is proud to partner with Nancy and Alignment Collaborative for Education to develop strong community partnerships and work-based learning opportunities for students across the region. Nancy’s passion and drive to support students and our communities as a whole are second to none. We are proud to have nominated her for this award and look forward to celebrating this well-deserved recognition at this year’s national conference.”

Named in honor of the late Congressman Carl Perkins, the award recognizes members of the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) who use career and technical education (CTE) to make a significant humanitarian impact on their communities. Nancy’s recognition reflects her unwavering commitment to student success, her innovative approach to regional collaboration, and her dedication to building meaningful connections between education and the workforce.

The national award winner will be announced December 2 at the ACTE Awards Gala, celebrating excellence and achievement in career and technical education nationwide.

Please join us in congratulating Nancy on this well-deserved recognition! Her selection as a national finalist is a testament to the power of collaboration and the lasting impact that strong community partnerships can have on students and the future of our region.

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.

Nancy Coleman, Executive Director of Alignment shared: “As students transition to high school, Explore is an opportunity to peruse multiple careers leading to informed decisions about what classes in high school are most important to prepare for that career. This preparation includes visiting with business professionals that do that job each day along with understanding the value of career and technical education (CTE) courses that provide ‘hands on’ exploration. Whether a student is university bound or wishes to choose an apprenticeship opportunity, they need the practical experience beyond what the traditional classroom can deliver.”

U-46 Explore: 71 exhibitors + 5 career pathways + 9 middle schools = 2,633 eighth grade students introduced to pathways for career success

Thank you to our community volunteers, U-46 volunteers, teachers, administrators, and high school students who filled the NOW Arena with career exploration.

Thank You to Our Wonderful Exhibitors. List of 71 exhibitors.

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.

“Katelyn and Daija joining us is an exciting step forward for Alignment,” said Executive Director Nancy Coleman. “We are strongly positioned to serve students across 11 high schools, supporting the work of our four partner school districts while also championing support for the Elgin Neighborhood Network.”

Katelyn Mucci Segura
Associate Executive Director

Katelyn Mucci Segura brings extensive experience in real estate, nonprofit, business leadership, education, and mental health, along with a strong commitment to community impact. As a nonprofit board president, she helped guide a significant CEO transition while strengthening governance, financial oversight, and community partnerships. She also brings entrepreneurial experience and a passion for developing people, mentoring future leaders, and building meaningful relationships throughout the community.

“The future success of our community and local businesses lies in the hands of the next generation, and I’m passionate about empowering young adults to find their place in the workforce,” said Katelyn. “I’m excited to join forces with Alignment to grow its mission and vision, build stronger connections between young people and our business community, and explore how we can impact even more lives.”

Daija Bates
Community and School Program Coordinator

Daija Bates joins Alignment from Clarke University with a strong background in higher education and a passion for helping students recognize and pursue opportunities for their futures. Her experience includes student engagement, program coordination, outreach, relationship management, and developing programs that support academic and career success. She brings valuable experience collaborating with educators, community organizations, and diverse stakeholders, with a particular interest in career exploration and workforce development.

“I’m excited to be part of Alignment because I love having the opportunity to support students and help them see the possibilities for their future,” said Daija. “I’m looking forward to bringing my experience in higher education to the Elgin community, building meaningful relationships, and being part of a team that truly cares about helping students succeed.”

Together, Katelyn and Daija add new energy, experience, and connections to the Alignment team as the organization continues building partnerships and expanding opportunities that help students become academically and career ready.

One Month to Explore!

September 1, 2026

EXPLORE IS ONE MONTH AWAY!

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 including:

Arts and Communications
Business, IT, Culinary and Hospitality
Education and Human Services
Healthcare
Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology, and Trades

Thank you to our career professionals and our sponsoring organizations for offering this opportunity to our U-46 students.

Celebrating Another Incredible Summer of Student Success

August 5, 2026

As schools open and students return to the classroom, 307 students are beginning the new school year with greater confidence, valuable real-world experience, and a much clearer vision for their future after high school.

Marked by continued growth, innovation, and expanding career opportunities, this summer’s internship program connected students from 11 high schools across School Districts U-46, 300, 301, and 303. Benefiting from the third year of partnering with Elgin Community College’s Taking Back the Trades grant, the summer internship program experienced a 24% growth in internship placements.

This summer also marked the launch of new internship programs in project based AI internships with small businesses and non-profit organizations, behavioral health internships with prominent regional mental health providers, and a new drone internship pilot program offering students FAA Part 107 remote pilot certification hosted by Central High School. Partnering with Advocate Sherman Hospital and Northern Illinois Medical Scholars Program, more than 30 future healthcare professionals explored multiple career pathways and specialties in one of the region’s fastest growing industry sectors.

Together, our partners made an extraordinary investment in the future of our region:

More than 18,000 volunteer hours invested by our industry partner host sites
Investment of financial sponsorships and volunteer hours exceeding $1.1 million
More than $330,000 earned in stipends and wages by student interns

alignment 2026 internship volunteer hours

alignment 2026 internship program statistics

alignment 2026 internship positions filled

None of this would be possible without the incredible commitment of our 72 internship hosts. Their willingness to invest their time, expertise, and resources created life-changing experiences that inspire students, strengthen the region’s workforce pipeline, and help shape the next generation of skilled professionals.

Thank You to Our Internship Host Companies

Automotive and Heavy Equipment Maintenance

AHW John Deere
Bob Loquercio Auto Group
KS Auto Care
West Side Tractor
Wicked Wrench

Business, Finance, IT and Marketing

American Legion
Centro de Información
Downtown Neighborhood Association
Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce
Elgin Development Group
Explore Elgin
Industrial Treasures
Microsoft
Opiquad
Segucci Home Team, affiliate of Baird and Warner
Wintrust

Culinary and Hospitality

Bartlett Hills Golf Course
Holiday Inn / Bennigan’s
Rosati’s Pizza

Education, Human Services and the Arts

ABC Toon Town
Advance Preschool
Bartlett Park District
Central Unit School District 301
Community Unit School District 300
Hanover Township Aging Services
Mid-Valley Special Education Cooperative
NISRA (Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association)
Precious Angels
School District U-46
Side Street Studios
South Elgin Parks and Recreation
Two Rivers Head Start
YMCA

Engineering, Manufacturing, Technology and Trades

ATI (Assurance Technologies Inc.)
Bucher Hydraulics
City of Elgin
Central School District 301
Community School District 300
Elgin Sweeper
Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick
Hoffer Plastics
ITW Shakeproof
Judson University
Lakeview Precision Machining
Lauderdale Electric
Matrix Design, LLC
Shales McNutt Construction
WT Group

Government and Public Safety

Bartlett Police Department
City of Elgin
Elgin Fire Department
Elgin Police Department
Hanover Park Fire Department
Hanover Township Emergency Management Services
Office of State Representative Anna Moeller
Office of State Representative Suzanne Ness
Office of State Senator Cristina Castro

Healthcare

Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital
Advocate Sherman Hospital
Athletico
Diamond Physical Therapy
Ecker Center for Mental Health
Family Service Association
Luna Behavioral Health Center
Northern Illinois Medical Scholars Program
OrthoIllinois
Streamwood Behavioral Healthcare System
VNA Health Care
Well Child Center

Veterinary Science & Animal Care

Anderson Humane Vet Care
Army Trail Animal Hospital
Dundee Animal Hospital
Pet Vet Animal Clinic
Tails Animal Hospital

Note: Many organizations listed hosted interns in multiple specialties with a total of 72 unique organizations participating this summer.

alignment 2026 internship first responder elgin

alignment 2026 internship first responder bartlett

If your organization is interested in offering internships for Summer 2027, please contact Nancy Coleman at colemanace@align4edu.org or Terry Stroh at terry.stroh@central301.net for further information.