Your support means everything

As an ambitious high school student with dreams of becoming a nurse and educator, Elizabeth Priller was always thinking ahead. And Highland Community College always had her back.

Now an instructor in Highland’s nursing department, Priller’s journey from high school to healthcare heroism is complete. Today, she’s proud to be nurturing the next generation of nurses in some of the same classrooms she inhabited as a student.
“I felt like I was really exploring what is my place. What is my unique gift and how I can give back to my community?” reflects Priller, who credits the support she received from Upward Bound and other Foundation-funded programs for her success. “We can pass the torch and feed into the next generation.”

Highland provided Priller a home when she needed it, and she’s determined to pay it forward, sharing the power of an HCC education: “Highland offers everything that you would need to pursue… You really set the foundation for the rest of your life.”

For the past 55 years, Marjorie Phillips has been supporting Highland students since she and her late husband, Spencer, funded Highland’s first scholarship back in 1966. A proud member of the Freeport community and the Highland Community College Foundation, Phillips is leaving a lasting legacy by helping students succeed.

“I love the college. I love Freeport. I will do just about anything I can to promote both.” says Phillips, whose scholarship is awarded to two top students each year. “It’s just a community filled with wonderful things and wonderful people.”

The generous philanthropist was honored with the Delbert Scheider Lifetime Achievement Award in 2021. Phillips has seen the college and community grow over the years, and she’s dedicated to giving back and supporting the future of the college. “How else can you say? It’s all here!”

Stephenson County native Amy Baker built her Highland Community College foundation into a boundless business career. Little did she know, her triumph would turn into a tradition.

Now President & CEO of Citizens State Bank, the Orangeville High School and HCC alum credits her community college experience for giving her the confidence to pursue her goals. So, when her daughter began looking to launch a nursing career, Baker knew just the place.

“Highland was really a great experience for me,” recalls the proud mom. “She and I were a lot alike in our personality styles and thought that would be really good for her. She had a great experience there as well.”

From banking bosses to healthcare heroes, Highland Community College continues to strengthen our regional workforce by producing prepared professionals. Having experienced the power of Highland firsthand, Baker is confident that, with local support, the college will continue to provide education for generations.