Laker Nation News

Lake Land College is holding an open house for its Early Childhood Education program on Thursday, Nov. 9 from 6-8 p.m. The event will be held at the Laker Louie Jr. Academy at 1808 Broadway Avenue in Mattoon.

The open house is a perfect opportunity for individuals interested in early childhood education to discover many rewarding career possibilities in the field. For current entry-level teachers, the event will demonstrate how earning a degree can advance their pay scale and create new career pathways.

During the event, participants will learn how scholarships, financial aid opportunities and flexible degree options can help them obtain their educational goals. They will also tour Lake Land’s new Laker Louie Jr. Academy Childcare Lab and meet with university representatives while enjoying refreshments and giveaways.

For more information about the Early Childcare Education Open House, contact Higher Education Navigators at ccrs-navigator@illinois.edu.

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Lake Land College and Sarah Bush Lincoln are pleased to announce a new partnership that creates an educational pathway to a high demand career in healthcare as a central service technician.

This fall Lake Land offered two new sterile processing courses for the first time. Students enrolled in the courses are training for a career as a central service technician. An individual in this role prepares surgical, laboratory and other healthcare equipment for use by performing routine sterilization, installation and inspection procedures.

Sarah Bush Lincoln is providing clinical supervision and scholarship support for students enrolled in the classes.

The new central service technician courses serve as a starting point and pipeline for a full Surgical Technologist degree program that is currently in development for fall 2024. The program will be submitted to the Illinois Community College Board for approval.

“Lake Land College is fortunate to share Sarah Bush Lincoln’s vision of strengthening our communities by creating educational and career opportunities from within,” Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said. “Through our strong partnership we are creating access to more rewarding futures for our residents and providing opportunities for social mobility.”

Sarah Bush Lincoln is providing tuition-assistance scholarship to students in the exam review class and the clinical practicum.

“We identified a need to grow surgical techs and technologists from within our community. We appreciate Lake Land College’s willingness to work with us to develop an educational training program that will provide a pipeline of highly skilled techs and technologists. We are proud to provide the clinical training students will need and to invest in scholarship support to the students,” Sarah Bush Lincoln President and CEO Kim Uphoff said.

The first course, Central Service Technician Exam Review, equips students with the knowledge and classroom foundation necessary to perform the duties of a central service technician. The second course is an immersive practicum designed to provide students with a minimum of 400 hours of clinical experience. The two courses can be taken in conjunction, and they collectively prepare students for the certification exams necessary to be identified as a certified sterile processing technician.

Completion of the courses and certification exams is a rewarding investment for participating students. Sterile processing technicians across the country earn, on average, up to $62,960 annually with an average annual salary of $41,480. Students in this program can also anticipate consistent growth in a stable career, with nearly 4,000 new sterile processing technician positions projected throughout the country over the next 10 years.

“The college’s commitment to developing responsive programming to meet the demands of a valued industry partner, and Sarah Bush Lincoln’s generous scholarship and clinical support of our students, is a win-win for our region,” Bullock said. “As we progress in the college’s Growing the Laker Advantage Strategic Plan, we look forward to developing similar partnerships with other organizations that will enhance our communities.”

For more information on the program contact Erin Swingler, division chair allied health/nursing instructor, at 217-234-5448 or eswingler@lakelandcollege.edu.

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On October 12, Lake Land College students had the unique opportunity to meet world-renowned author, animal-behavior expert and autism spokesperson Temple Grandin through a partnership between the college and the Mattoon Arts Council.

The Arts Council hosted its Community Night event with guest speaker Temple Grandin in the Lake Land College Luther Student Center theater. While the theater was reserved for Arts Council ticket holders, Lake Land students were able to view a live stream of Grandin’s discussion at no cost in another room on campus. Students also participated in a meet and greet with Grandin after the event for photo and autograph opportunities.

Grandin’s unique way of looking at the world has made her one of its most influential figures. During the event, she discussed her new book, “Visual Thinking,” a celebration of those who think visually in a verbal world. She answered questions and provided advice to those in attendance, advocated for hands-on educational opportunities for young students and shared an inspirational message that celebrates all kinds of thinkers.

“We are absolutely thrilled that our students had the opportunity to listen to the knowledge that Dr. Temple Grandin had to share and that our Lakers were able to engage with such a talented and respected individual,” said Mercury Bowen, coordinator of diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging. “We are very grateful for the Mattoon Arts Council’s generosity in allowing us to stream their ticketed event to our students for free and for their understanding of the value that experiences like this have for our students.”

To learn more about similar events and celebrations at Lake Land, visit https://www.lakelandcollege.edu/celebrations/.

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Lake Land College will host a WIOA Stakeholder Engagement Session on Nov. 7 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on campus at 5001 Lake Land Blvd., Mattoon. The event will be held in Webb Hall, room 081.

The session at Lake Land is one of several happening throughout Illinois in response to the state developing a four-year plan for its workforce development system. The goal is to continue an inclusive, systemwide process of implementing lessons learned from various efforts over the past several years.

The WIOA Stakeholder Engagement Session at Lake Land is open to employers, educators, community leaders and job seekers to join the Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity for robust conversation about the future of Illinois’ workforce system. The session is an opportunity for the local communities to contribute to the vitality of the workforce system, including responding to challenges and pursuing upcoming opportunities. Participants will be invited to openly discuss concepts for addressing challenges and opportunities for improving the system over the next four years.

The WIOA Stakeholder Engagement Session will be moderated by the Illinois Center for Specialized Professional Support (ICSPS) in partnership with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Employment and Training.

To register for the Lake Land session and view additional in-person engagement sessions happening throughout the state, visit www.bit.ly/WIOA-LLC. Contact lwia23@lakelandcollege.edu for more information.

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In honor of Veterans Appreciation Month, Lake Land College will be offering free dental cleanings and haircuts to veterans.

Students in the Lake Land College Dental Hygiene program will offer free dental cleanings and x-rays to veterans through the entire month of November for Veterans Appreciation Month. Appointments are available on Monday and Tuesday at 12:30 p.m., and Wednesday and Thursday at 12 p.m. Each appointment is 3.5 hours and will be held in the Dental Hygiene Clinic in room 116 of the Northwest Building on the Lake Land College campus, 5001 Lake Land Blvd., Mattoon. To schedule an appointment, contact the clinic at 217-234-5249.

Students in Lake Land’s cosmetology program will be also offering free haircuts to all veterans and active-duty military personnel throughout the month of November. Free haircuts are available by appointment on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments can be made by contacting the cosmetology department at 217-234-5300. The haircuts will take place in the Cosmetology Clinic in the West Building on the Lake Land College campus in Mattoon.

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Lake Land College is celebrating National Apprenticeship Week on Tuesday, Nov. 14 with an event for apprentices and business partners. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Foundation and Alumni Center on the Lake Land College campus, 5001 Lake Land Blvd., Mattoon.

The celebration is a luncheon event that includes a declaration of National Apprenticeship Week and a panel of employers and apprentices. Robert Woolum, apprentice program supervisor at North American Lighting, will provide the keynote address. All apprentices who have enrolled at Lake Land College since November of 2022 will also be honored with celebratory signings during the event.

“We are thrilled to be able to host an event that celebrates the many successes and growth of our registered apprenticeship programs,” said Director to the Center for Business and Industry Bonnie Moore. “Apprenticeships play a crucial role in strengthening our communities by providing a pipeline of qualified workforce talent to high-demand industries.”

To learn more about apprenticeship programs, contact Moore at 217-238-8260 or bmoore71258@lakelandcollege.edu. To register for the event, visit https://llcapprenticeshipweek2023.eventbrite.com. Seating for the event is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

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Adult Education and Literacy Programs Provide Economic Opportunity in Illinois

Mattoon, IL – National Adult Education and Literacy Week, September 18-23, 2023, underscores the continued demand for programs and services for adult students who need to improve basic skills in reading, writing, and math and obtain a state of Illinois High School Diploma.  More than 36 million adults nationwide, including 1.2 million here in Illinois, lack basic literacy skills, limiting their ability to advance in education and at work.

Lake Land College is one of more than 72 adult education providers offering programs funded through the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) that improve and expand the nation’s available pipeline of workers by assisting those who lack the educational requirements to achieve gainful employment in today’s increasingly high-tech, global job market.

“Our Adult Education programs reflect our commitment to invest in the members of our local communities by providing pathways for them to complete both their educational and employment goals,” Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said. “We are proud to offer accessible courses through these programs to set our students up for sustained success in rewarding careers.”

Adult education provides a path from low-income jobs and limited opportunities to middle-class wages and increased family sustainability.  Full-time workers with a high school diploma earn almost $10,000 more annually than those without a diploma.

Adult Education at Lake Land College provides a variety of services and courses to students age 17 and older. The program offers free GED preparation and English language acquisition classes (formerly ESL) that empower students to achieve their academic goals and develop skills necessary for successful employment. Both the GED and English language acquisition classes are available in multiple locations throughout the Lake Land district.

The Lake Land College Adult Education program also offers two Integrated Career and Academic Preparation System (ICAPS) programs leading to certificates in welding or basic nursing assisting (BNA). All ICAPS programs are free of charge to students who meet the eligibility criteria. ICAPS class locations also rotate throughout the district to provide accessibility to students living in various communities.

“With partnerships across nearly 10,000 unique employers across the state, Illinois Community Colleges are the engines that drive industry in their local communities and across the state. So many good-paying jobs require education beyond high school but don’t necessarily require the time and cost of earning a 4-year degree. Community Colleges meet the education needs of Illinoisans at every life stage,” said ICCB Executive Director Brian Durham.

In recognition of National Adult Education and Literacy Week, Lake Land College would like to recognize the accomplishments of many of our Adult Education graduates. During a ceremony on May 16, 2023, Lake Land celebrated 48 GED graduates.

For more information about adult education programs and services at Lake Land College, visit lakelandcollege.edu/adult-education or call 217-238-8292.

For information on adult education throughout Illinois visit https://www.iccb.org/adult_ed.

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Lake Land College’s Livestock Judging Team was named the Overall Reserve Team at the 2023 National Barrow Show in Austin, Minnesota. The team finished the competition tied for the best score and ultimately placed second with a tie breaker. Anchoring the team’s success were students Cooper Bertolino, Nokomis, Illinois; Ashtyn Harvey, Straughn, Indiana; Paige Lemenager, Hudson, Illinois and Skyler Ward, New Paris, Ohio, who each placed in the top ten for overall individual performance.

The following students competed at the event as members of Lake Land’s Livestock Judging Team.

One of the most historic livestock shows in the country, the National Barrow Show is centered around swine judging. Participants in the event judge eight classes of breeding and market hogs, providing four sets of oral reasons and answering one set of performance questions. Since its creation in the 1970s, Lake Land’s Livestock Judging Team has attended the contest every year that it has been held.

The team’s success at the National Barrow Show supplements its rich history of excellence. Recently, the group was also named the overall reserve team at the Top Notch Collegiate Contest in Paragould, Arkansas. Ashtyn Harvey, Straughn, Indiana and Gabe Hanson, La Porte City, Iowa led the team to success at the contest by both finishing in the top five for overall individual performance.

The Lake Land College livestock judging team will return to action at the Flint Hills MidAmerica Classic in Hutchinson, Kansas in late September. By the season’s conclusion in March, the team will have competed in over a dozen major events throughout the country.

To learn more about Lake Land’s livestock judging team, visit https://www.lakelandcollege.edu/student-life/livestock-judging/. Prospective freshmen interested in joining the team can contact coach Hayden Wilder at 217-234-5360 or at hwilder@lakelandcollege.edu.

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Lake Land College will host Laker Visit Day from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday, Oct. 9 in the Luther Student Center. This event provides students and parents with the opportunity to learn about The Laker Advantage and how it can guide them on the path to success.

Attendees will tour campus with a student ambassador, who will share information from a student perspective. Participants can learn more about Lake Land’s wide range of academic programs, ranging from short-term certificates to two-year degrees. Students can choose among career, university transfer, trade and technical programs to link their interests with a matching profession. Faculty from all programs will be available at the event to speak with students.

Representatives from many services, including Counseling Services, Career Services, Student Accommodations & Mental Health Initiatives, TRIO Student Support Services, Health Services, Student Wellness and more will be available to provide information and answer attendees’ questions.

A parent/guardian session will be offered as well to provide information relevant to potential parents or guardians of future Lakers.

“Laker Visit Day is a great way for high school students to see how Lake Land College can help them reach their goals. Once students are on campus, they experience the caring environment and learn more about Lake Land’s commitment to helping them succeed,” Pam Hartke, associate dean of enrollment management, said. “I highly encourage anyone who is considering college to attend this event and see why Lake Land is ranked in the top 15% of community colleges in the nation.”

For more information or to register, go to lakelandcollege.edu/visit.

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Lake Land College will be hosting an open house for individuals who are interested in a healthcare field. The Health & Public Services Open House will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 3 from 6-8 p.m. The event will begin at the Theater in the Luther Student Center on campus in Mattoon.

Those interested in a career in healthcare are invited to meet with faculty, view hands-on demonstrations, tour Lake Land’s facilities and learn about the college’s rewarding programs, which include Basic Nurse Assisting, Central Service Technician, Dental Hygiene, Emergency Medical Services, Nursing, Massage Therapy, Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy, Surgical Technologist and Physical Therapy.

“We are honored to be offering high school students, their parents, alumni, high school guidance counselors and community members an opportunity to learn why Lake Land College is the best choice for achieving your educational and professional goals,” Allied Health Division Chair/Nursing Instructor Erin Swingler said. “At this open house, attendees can meet with faculty, advisors and student support staff to tour our state-of-the-art facilities and learn more about the many exciting career options in the healthcare field.”

Attendees are encouraged to stay after the open house concludes to enjoy ice cream and network with presenters and fellow attendees.

For more information or to register for the event, visit lakelandcollege.edu/visit or contact Allied Health Division Chair and Nursing Instructor Erin Swingler at 217-234-5448 or at eswingler@lakelandcollege.edu.

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