Laker Nation News

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.

-30-

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.

-30-

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.

-30-

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.

-30-

Six Lake Land students officially became the inaugural members of the college’s new clay target team at a signing event on Friday, Sept. 1. The event was held at the Effingham Sportsman’s Club, where the team will compete this upcoming season.

The following students signed at the event and will form the 2023-2024 Lake Land Clay Target team:

The Lake Land Board of Trustees officially approved the new team during a regular meeting on August 14. Coaching the team is Civil Engineering Instructor and Program Coordinator Josh Fulk, Saint Elmo.

“It was great to finally have all the team in one room for the first time to make them officially part of the Lake Land College Clay Target Shooting Team,” Fulk said. “These students are very well-deserving to represent Lake Land in our first season from both a competitive and academic standpoint. I can’t wait to see what our first season will bring and what our team will grow into in future seasons.”

Now officially assembled, Fulk’s team looks forward to the start of the season. The team will compete every Friday at 7 p.m. from Sept. 22 to Oct. 27. Anyone interested in attending these events is welcome to do so for free, but the team will accept donations to help with costs throughout the season Donations can be made at https://www.lakelandcollege.edu/online-giving/.

To learn more about Lake Land’s athletic programs, visit https://lakelandlakersathletics.com/landing/index.

-30-

Lake Land College is pleased to welcome Thomas Moll as the College’s new coordinator of mental health services. With over 20 years of behavioral health experience, Moll seeks to support the success of Lake Land students by providing wellness services throughout the college.

Moll is a Lake Land College alumnus, graduating in 1997 with an associate degree in human services. He then completed a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Illinois at Springfield in 2000 before attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and obtaining a master’s degree in social work in 2002. Recently, he served as a licensed clinical social worker for Family Care Associates in Effingham.

“The opportunity to work at Lake Land College allows me to take everything I have learned in the behavioral health field for over 20 years and bring it back home to the place my educational journey began,” Moll said.

Moll’s behavioral health services include both individual and group therapy sessions to help students navigate struggles with anxiety, depression, and many other forms of crisis. These services are available to all Lake Land students at no charge and are completely confidential. Students are welcome to access therapy services on a walk-in basis and will soon be able to schedule appointments through a student app called Navigate.

“We are fortunate to have someone of Tom’s experience at Lake Land College to serve as a resource to help students with their wellness challenges on their pathway to success,” said Vice President for Student Services Valerie Lynch.

Moll’s position is part of Lake Land’s new Student Wellness Center, which also includes nursing services, the Laker Food Pantry and the Active Minds student peer to peer club. These services help ensure that Lake Land students are safe, healthy and empowered to pursue their personal and academic goals. All health services are available in room 512 of the Luther Student Center.

Complementing these services is Lake Land’s partnership with TimelyCare, a web-based platform that offers 24/7 access to wellness resources. All Lake Land students can receive up to six free virtual treatment sessions through the TimelyCare platform. Students also have free access to a meditation and relaxation app called Calm.

To learn more about Lake Land’s Student Wellness Center and available mental health resources, contact Moll at tmoll@lakelandcollege.edu or Lake Land Counseling Services by email at counsel@lakelandcollege.edu or by phone at 217-234-5232.

-30-

Mattoon, IL – Fifty-five students have been selected to receive scholarships totaling $2,000 each through the GROWMARK Foundation. More than 500 students from across the United States and Ontario, Canada, applied for the scholarships. Students who received the scholarships will have those funds available for the fall 2023 semester.

We are pleased to announce that Kaylee Blackford, Alexanndria Osborne, and Anna Webel from Lake Land College have been chosen to receive a $2,000 scholarship.

“At GROWMARK, we recognize the value of investing in students pursuing careers in agriculture or business-related fields. By doing so, we not only assist students in achieving their academic goals but also cultivate a potential future workforce for GROWMARK and FS member cooperatives,” Mark Orr, CEO of GROWMARK, Inc.

The GROWMARK Foundation was formally incorporated in 2005 and supports 501(c)(3) not-for-profit charitable organizations. The Foundation is focused on programs and activities which support: the vitality of the industry of agriculture; agriculture education and consumer understanding of agriculture’s contributions to society and the economy; agricultural leadership development; and education about the benefits of the cooperative way of doing business. The GROWMARK System has been involved in a variety of philanthropic efforts, including youth and young leader education and development and scholarships, for decades. More information is available at GROWMARK.com.

-30-

Lake Land College is excited to invest in the strength and development of its local communities with a rebuilt Community Education Program and new class offerings.

Lake Land Community Education offers classes in knitting and food sanitation. The knitting course is designed for beginners and will be held from 6-8 p.m. on September 13, 20 and 27. The course costs $75, which includes all three class sessions and knitting supplies. The three class sessions will all be held in room 102 of Lake Land’s Workforce Development Center.

The food sanitation class will be held on September 22 from 4-8 p.m. and September 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The course costs $125, which includes both class sessions and a voucher to take the Food Sanitation Exam. Only 12 total spots are available for the course, so interested students are encouraged to register early. Both class sessions will be held in room 105 of the Workforce Development Center.

Lake Land’s Community Education program also provides testing for individuals to become qualified paraprofessional teacher’s aides. Testing preparation and examinations are available year-round by appointment only. Initial exams cost $135 and retakes cost $50.

The Community Education program also offers unique opportunities for senior citizens. Through the program, Lake Land organizes monthly day trip events for seniors to visit locations such as the Shelbyville Hot Air Balloon Festival, Aikman Wildlife Park, the Effingham Performance Center and more. The first of such events will be held on August 25, with seniors visiting the Golden Nugget Casino in Danville. This event is capped at 12 seniors and will cost $35.

The program is also working to develop numerous classes in topics such as dancing, cake baking and decorating, art, community growth and much more. Individuals are also welcome to make requests and suggestions for future classes that would interest themselves and their fellow community members.

To learn more, contact Community and Professional Programs Coordinator Shelly Martin by email at smartin2@lakelandcollege.edu or by phone at 217-234-5087.

To register for any of the currently available classes, tests or events, contact Martin or visit www.lakelandcollege.edu/learn.

-30-

Lake Land College is pleased to announce the students who have graduated following completion of the Summer 2023 term. The 2023 Summer graduates are:

-30-

Lake Land College will be holding open tryout sessions for the Laker volleyball team on Wednesday, August 16 and Friday, August 25. Both sessions will be held in the Laker Field House gymnasium from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Lake Land students interested in joining the volleyball team are welcome to showcase their abilities at either tryout session. Students can register to attend the session of their choice at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScc6hyqwVtVo7NH1OiH8x8hz4Fgf0VHJdDGXzz0CYq6b4ndZA/viewform All students trying out are required to bring a current physical with them to the session they attend.

Anyone interested in trying out but unable to attend one of the scheduled sessions can contact Head Volleyball Coach Lainey Jackson by phone at 217-234-5296 or by email at ljackson7215@lakelandcollege.edu for alternate arrangements.

For more information, please contact Coach Jackson or Field House Administrative Assistant Meredith Perez by email at mperez2@lakelandcollege.edu or by phone at 217-234-5333.

-30-