PCC’s new Director of Institutional Partnerships, Rebecca Popelka, returned to our team in January 2026. With over two decades of experience in the higher education industry, Rebecca will work directly with Illinois’ public institutions to improve gaps in enrollment and retention rates, implement smoother transfer processes, and help foster positive relationships between universities and their students.
For more on Rebecca’s experience in creating equitable education opportunities for all demographics of students throughout the state, watch her introductory video below!
Rebecca’s Interview
Rebecca’s Full Remarks
Introduction
Hi, I’m Rebecca Popelka and I am the new Director of Institutional Partnerships for the Partnership for College Completion. In this role, I work directly with our two and four-year higher education partners to help develop and strategize on supports to help them meet their goals of closing enrollment and retention gaps for all demographics of students.
You’re a familiar face at PCC. What was your role then and what have you been up to before returning?
So, I was previously the Program Manager at PCC back in 2019. During that time, I worked closely with a number of colleges and universities who were part of the Illinois Equity in Attainment Initiative. I mostly worked with our suburban community colleges and then some of our public four-year institutions. Since then, I returned to my Alma Mother of DePaul University where I was the director of Community College Partnerships and then the Executive Director of Transfer, Admission and Enrollment there. Post-COVID, I decided to take a step back and work part-time in higher education for a while, most recently returning to higher ed as the regional assistant director of admissions for Alma College in Michigan. The time that I was part-time actually allowed me to spend time volunteering at my kids school district, which eventually led me to about a year ago running for a position on the Homewood District 153 School Board, which I am its newest member.
What have you been learning about since your return to PCC?
I have been learning a lot about DERA, the Developmental Education Reform Act. PCC has been really active and involved in helping with the implementation of that legislation with a number of colleges and universities, so I’ve been trying to learn a lot, doing as much as I can reading, talking to people involved, talking to our college partners. It’s been a really interesting experience getting to know more about that. Also, PCC has changed a lot since I was last here. We’re celebrating our 10th anniversary this year, so just getting to know more about the organization, how we’ve changed and what’s to come for the next 10 years.
What are you looking forward to in your new role?
I am looking forward to reconnecting and also meeting new people who work in our two and four-year institutions. Having worked in higher ed for such a long time in Illinois, it’s a very small community really, and it’s been great to see some familiar faces and also meet new people who are doing this great work. Looking forward, we are going into a strategic planning phase for the Partnership and the start of our 10-year anniversary. I’m really looking forward to being a part of that conversation and helping the organization grow.
What has been your favorite part of working at PCC?
My favorite part about working at PCC both back in 2018 through 2019 and now is working with a group of the individuals who are so dedicated to the mission of the organization. That’s what really drew me back to PCC, and made me want to return back to this organization. I am a first generation college graduate myself and knowing what it takes in order to make that leap and meet that goal of earning your bachelor’s degree or master’s degree, can be challenging for people. Working at an organization where we’re working on the mission to make it easier for students to meet their goals and having other individuals who are also just as dedicated to those goals and that mission. It really makes it a really wonderful place to work.