Laker Nation News

April is Community College Month and a time for community colleges across the nation to showcase the value they bring to their respective communities. At Lake Land College, the past year certainly tested our core value of innovation as we navigated the pandemic and learned new modes of providing high quality education and services to our students. Our faculty and staff rose to the challenge and continued innovating to meet area workforce demands and create new opportunities for community residents.

One way in which the college ensures curriculum is relevant is by hosting a DACUM, Developing a Curriculum. In these workshops, industry professionals share their expertise with the goal of identifying the skills needed to be successful in a given career path. As a result of a DACUM held in March 2019, the Emergency Medical Services faculty and staff have created a new Fire Science major. The program provides an educational pathway for current firefighting professionals to advance in their careers. As the only program south of Chicago, this new opportunity has the potential to positively impact first-responders in our communities.

Medical Assistant faculty are also paving the way for career advancement as the only program in the region to be accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Faculty have also created a Medical Assistant Associate Degree Completion program that allows current certified medical assistants to receive credit for professional certification and accelerate the time to complete a degree.

Earlier this year, Abbott Ambulance Services in Effingham approached the college about hosting an on-site training program to fill a need for emergency medical technicians. EMS faculty and staff worked with Sarah Bush Lincoln instructors and Abbott Ambulance Services to host an 8-week fast track EMT training curriculum beginning this month. Abbott is paying 10 students a wage, covering their tuition and fees, and guaranteeing them a position upon successful program completion and licensure exam.

This fall, the Business Division will welcome the first class of students to the new Court Reporting Technology program. Business faculty have worked closely with area court reporting professionals to create this major in response to a regional and national shortage of court reporters. According to the Occupational Profile on the Illinois virtual labor market information website, there will be a projected 80 job openings in this field each year through 2026.

A few years ago, Heartland Dental invested in future dental hygienists by donating state-of-the-art equipment for the Heartland Dental Dental Hygiene Lab. This year, the company selected Lake Land College to pilot a new educational partnership that provides support and opportunities, both financially and academically, to students preparing to enter the field of dentistry.

Dental Hygiene faculty have also expanded opportunities for students by working with Eastern Illinois University to establish a transfer pathway. All Dental Hygiene Alumni now have an opportunity to transfer to Eastern Illinois to pursue a bachelor’s degree in public health.

Several programs recently updated curriculum to arm students with the skills needed for success today and into the future. The Humanities and Communications faculty enhanced speech and radio-TV courses by creating a new Broadcast Communications department that ensures students are trained in a multitude of skill sets from creating videos, to presenting online to writing advertisements. The Information Technology and IT-Graphic Design programs recently aligned course offerings and programs to maximize opportunities for students interested in design, programming, web creation and gaming careers. The newly revised Diesel & Ag Power provides students hands-on experience working on diesel machinery and a variety of brands, preparing them for future careers in the field or on their family farm.

In addition to these program enhancements, the college continues to work with the Effingham Regional Career Academy to secure funding for a new building and to develop training programs for both high school students and adults or incumbent workers that meet the needs of our area business partners. To date, 14 schools have signed intergovernmental agreements to participate in this initiative.

We look forward to welcoming you to campus to tour the new Workforce Development Center and the opportunities it presents for customized training. The center houses Adult Education, Center for Business and Industry, the Manufacturing Skills Lab, WIOA and Department of Corrections.

As we enter the spring season and look forward to warmer weather, please let us know how we can assist you in fulfilling unmet workforce or training needs. As you can see, we are committed to partnering with area businesses and creating new opportunities for district residents to gain the education they need to advance in their careers.

Josh Bullock
Lake Land College President

Lake Land College student Lucas Duduit, Pana, has been named a 2021 Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar and will receive a $1,500 scholarship.

Duduit is president of the Lake Land College Phi Theta Kappa chapter as well as being the Lake Land College Student Trustee on the Board of Trustees. Duduit is also involved in several areas of campus life, including Student Ambassadors and the Student Government Association.

“It is definitely a distinguished honor that I am extremely grateful for,” Duduit said. “Lake Land helped me achieve it, and I am really proud to be able to represent Lake Land College on a national scale.”

Duduit will be transferring in May 2021 to the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois, and he said the scholarship will help fund his education there.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Academic Team program by recognizing 50 Gold, 50 Silver and 50 Bronze Scholars with nearly $200,000 in scholarships annually. Each scholar also receives a commemorative medallion.

“The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has a long history of providing financial assistance to outstanding students at community colleges,” said Jane Hale Hopkins, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Phi Theta Kappa and make it possible for deserving students to achieve their educational goals.”

Students are nominated for the academic team by their college administrators. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership, and engagement in college and community service.

Coca-Cola Academic Team members will be recognized in both local and statewide ceremonies and will also be recognized internationally during Phi Theta Kappa’s annual convention, PTK Catalyst, to be held virtually April 8-10.

“We thank the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation for recognizing these student leaders and for investing in their futures,” said Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner, President and CEO of Phi Theta Kappa. “Scholarships like these are integral to the success of these students in reaching their educational and career goals.”

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.5 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 nations, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.

The Lake Land College chapter of PTK has been ranked as a Five Star Chapter for three years in a row. This is the highest distinction a chapter can earn.

For the third consecutive year, Lake Land College’s Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) chapter earned Five Star Chapter status. The Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society is an international organization that ranks campus chapters on a five star system. Completion of an Honors in Action project addressing a need in the community and on campus is required as a final step in advancing to five star status distinction.

“We are extremely ecstatic to be recognized as a Five Star Chapter,” PTK President Lucas Duduit said. “It gives a sense of the community and the positive Laker mentality at Lake Land College. These honors students are engaging in programs that will help facilitate a brighter future, whether in the workforce or at another university.”

This year the Lake Land College PTK chapter chose virtual learning as the topic for the Honors in Action project.

“PTK wanted to be a voice for their peers,” Counselor and Faculty Advisor to the Honors Experience Krista Burrell said. “Each and every student has been impacted by the pandemic and courses being offered in a virtual format. PTK members wanted to know more about how students were succeeding and if they still felt connected to campus. Throughout the process PTK Officers met with groups of Administrators, faculty and students.”

Reaching five star status also includes recognizing academic excellence by creating awareness of PTK among the college community, establishing chapter leadership and engagement, developing an Honors in Action project and a college project such as maintaining a chapter Facebook page, increasing the PTK presence on campus and increasing engagement in the region, and submitting three entries in the Hallmark Awards Program.

“This PTK chapter should be very proud,” Burrell said. “To earn five stars during a pandemic was no small feat. It took incredible determination and communication between the officers.”

To top it off, chapters are encouraged to attend the annual catalyst. The Lake Land College PTK chapter, Alpha Theta Psi, will attend the National PTK Catalyst Convention virtually in April.

Duduit has also been named a 2021 Coca-Cola Academic Team Gold Scholar and will receive a $1,500 scholarship.

PTK members involved in the project include PTK President Lucas Duduit, Pana; PTK Vice President Tim Lawyer, Mattoon; PTK Secretary Macy Vogt, Teutopolis; PTK Treasurer Rachel Buening, Effingham.

PTK sends invitations each year to students who have completed 12 credit hours at the collegiate level with a 3.25 GPA or exceptional high school students passing with a 3.5 GPA.

Lake Land College broadcast students Dylan Smith, Charleston, and Chandler Smith, Charleston, earned awards at the annual Illinois Broadcasters Association Student Silver Dome Awards.

Dylan Smith earned first place for Best Sales Presentation with his piece “Tangles Hair Salon” as well as first place for Best Radio Longform Journalism Programming with “COVID-19 and Addiction.” He also earned second place for Best Radio Longform Journalism Programming for his piece “2019-2020 Lady Lakers Basketball.”

Chandler Smith earned fourth place for Best Radio Recorded Promotion with his piece “Yeah, The Radio Works Now.”

“These awards are a testament to the great work students produce in the Broadcast Communication department at Lake Land College,” Broadcast Communication Instructor Greg Powers said. “Their efforts have paid off again. We’re also excited that Lake Land College was one of just two community colleges in the state that had students recognized for their work, competing against mainly four year schools.”

Dylan Smith earned an associate degree in Radio/TV Broadcasting, now renamed as Broadcast Communication, at Lake Land College. He currently studies at Western Illinois University.

Chandler Smith also earned an associate degree in Radio/TV Broadcasting at Lake Land College and transferred to continue his education at Eastern Illinois University.

Lake Land College is adding a new feature to the graduation ceremonies this May. In addition to a virtual commencement ceremony, the college will host a parade for all graduates on campus on May 14, 2021.

The Graduate Parade will follow the circle drive of campus. Faculty and staff will line the drive and graduates are encouraged to decorate their vehicles. Graduates are welcome to bring family members to drive in the car with them. Spectators will be limited to Lake Land College employees.

Along the route, graduates will stop in front of the Luther Student Center, where Lake Land College President Dr. Josh Bullock will present the graduate a diploma cover. Families are then welcome to park in LOT F and take a photo on campus grounds.

“We are excited to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates on campus and virtually,” Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said. “We know this year’s graduates have much to celebrate and we look forward to our Commencement Day events.”

Graduates and guests will be required to go through the COVID-19 check in station and prove that they have a facemask and have been cleared by completing the COVID-19 Screening Form. Only one car per graduate is permitted.

The Lake Land College Broadcast Communications department is hosting an in-person open house Friday, March 26 from 10:30 a.m. to noon.

Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the college’s student-run FM radio station, WLKL 89.9, The Max Alternative; TV studio and production control room; and view professional audio equipment and state-of-the-art camera and video equipment as well as industry-standard digital editing software.

Registration for the event is now open at lakelandcollege.edu/visit/. Attendance is limited to 20 prospective students and one guest each. Due to the safety protocols surrounding COVID-19, advanced registration is required for this event. Walk-in registrations cannot be accommodated at this time.

“Anyone with an interest in this field is welcome to register,” Speech Communication and Broadcasting Instructor Greg Powers said. “Guests will be introduced to the studios and the opportunities within the field, and they’ll have the opportunity to meet with an admissions representative at the event.”

Students in the Broadcast Communications program can earn an associate degree leading to either immediate employment or transfer to a four-year university. Students can also choose among three certificate programs.

“Lake Land College is one of only a few places where you get started within the first two weeks gaining a sense of comfort behind a microphone and on screen,” Powers said.

Those interested in fulfilling general elective credits can enroll in department classes throughout the year. Opportunities within the curriculum include broadcasting live on WLKL 89.9 The Max Alternative, anchoring a newscast, using equipment in the TV production control room and studio, creating a podcast, recording and listening to an audio spot using professional audio equipment, operating state-of-the-art camera and video equipment and experimenting with industry-standard digital editing software.

For more information on the Broadcast Communications open house or program, contact Greg Powers at gpowers@lakelandcollege.edu or call 217-234-5335.

In accordance with the Lake Land College Return to Campus Plan, all guests will be required to wear a mask that covers both the nose and mouth as well as practice social distancing of six feet or more for the duration of their visit to campus.

The COVID-19 Campus Visit Screening form can be completed the day of or day prior to the campus visit. All guests will be directed to Entrance 2 and will go through the COVID Check-In Station, where they must prove they have a face mask and have completed the COVID-19 Campus Visit Screening Form.

For more information, or to register for the open house, go to lakelandcollege.edu/visit or call 217-234-5377.

As part of its commitment to designing a Fall 2021 around students, the Lake Land College Board of Trustees is expected to keep tuition and fees at the current rates for academic year 2021-2022.

The board will meet Monday, March 8 at 6 p.m. in Webb Hall on the main campus and in accordance with the college’s Return to Campus Plan and Covid-19 safety protocols. The meeting will also be accessible by teleconference (1-866-806-7140, ID 75526).

“Lake Land College is committed to providing an affordable, accessible educational option to our communities. We are diligent in planning to minimize budget increases and are pleased that this diligence has paid off with the opportunity to maintain the current tuition and fee structure,” Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said. “If approved, tuition and fees will remain the same, allowing students and families the opportunity to build a plan to pay for college for the next school year.”

In-district tuition for one credit hour will remain at $110.50 effective with the summer term. Fees, including textbook rental, will remain at $32.17 per credit hour. An average student enrolls in 30 credit hours per year, putting tuition, fees and textbook rental for one year at $4,280.10.

The Lake Land College fall schedule, published on Friday, is designed around students with a mix of in-person, virtual and online course options. When building a schedule, students can select the format that best fits their personal preference. Registration for summer and fall opens March 24.

“Lake Land College continues to be one of the best values to those pursuing higher education. The college’s tuition and fees are about one-quarter of the cost of attending a four-year university and are significantly less than a technical or private college. Our national ranking as one of the best community colleges in the nation by the Aspen Institute is a testament to the quality education a student will receive when investing in Lake Land College,” Bullock added.

The college has several resources to help students afford college including financial aid grants and loans to those who qualify, scholarships and a monthly payment plan.

Lake Land College offers degree and certificate programs that prepare students to successfully enter the workforce or transfer to a four-year college upon completion.

New and current Lake Land College students can now take advantage of flexible educational opportunities with an eight-week Mod II class this spring.

Each semester, Lake Land College offers two sessions of eight-week courses known as Mod I and II. Mod II classes begin March 15 and finish May 10 with finals held May 11 through May 14.

“Mod II courses are great for both new and current students,” said Emily Hartke, chair of counseling and judicial affairs advisement.  “If someone is looking to ease into college, these courses are a way to do just that. The Mod II courses are also a good way for current students to pick up needed credits before the end of the semester.”

Mod II classes allow students to complete coursework in less time than a full-semester class. Seats in these classes often fill quickly for this reason, so those interested are urged to sign up as early as possible.

To view available courses, visit lakelandcollege.edu/schedules. Select the Spring 2021 term and select M2 under Schedule Types.

Counselors are available to assist students with Mod II registration. For registration information, contact Counseling Services at counsel@lakelandcollege.edu or 217-234-5232.

Lake Land College will host in-person Preview Open Houses in March and April.

Potential students who are interested in touring campus and learning more about Lake Land College are encouraged to attend. The event also includes a Q&A session and the option to talk to representatives from college departments of interest.

Registration is now open at lakelandcollege.edu/visit/. Attendance is limited to 20 prospective students and one guest each. Due to the safety protocols surrounding COVID-19, advanced registration is required. Walk-in registrations cannot be accommodated at this time.

The Preview Open Houses are scheduled for:

• March 5 at 9 a.m.
• March 19 at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• April 9 at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
• April 23 at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.

“We are excited to welcome prospective students to campus to experience the great opportunities Lake Land College provides,” Michelle Zumbahlen, coordinator for strategic student communication and initiatives, said.

In accordance with the Lake Land College Return to Campus Plan, all guests will be required to wear a mask that covers both the nose and mouth as well as practice social distancing of six feet or more for the duration of their visit to campus.

The COVID-19 Campus Visit Screening form can be completed the day of or day prior to the campus visit. All guests will be directed to Entrance 2 and will go through the COVID Check-In Station, where they must prove they have a face mask and have completed the COVID-19 Campus Visit Screening Form.

For more information, or to register for Preview Day, go to lakelandcollege.edu/visit or call 217-234-5377.

A phishing scam involving false social media events has targeted Lake Land College social media platforms.

Events claiming to be broadcasts of Lake Land College athletic events have been posted to platforms such as Facebook and Twitter directing viewers to click an attached link. These are not legitimate links to Lake Land College athletic event broadcasts but rather phishing attempts by fraudulent account users.

Any and all Lake Land College athletic events will be publicized via official Lake Land College athletics accounts, including the Facebook pages: Lake Land College Laker Athletics, Lake Land College Volleyball and Lake Land College Basketball and the Twitter accounts: @LakeLandBuzz, @LLCAthletics, @lakelandvb, @LLC_WBaskteball, @LLC_Basketball and @LLC_Baseball.

A link or event posted by pages not listed above or with no affiliation to Lake Land College should be treated as suspicious and reported using the platform’s “Find Help” or “Report” features.