Lake Land College Agriculture Program Receives National Recognition Posted on August 23, 2018 Lake Land College Agriculture Program Receives National Recognition Lake Land College was one of six colleges in the nation to receive the NAAE Outstanding Postsecondary Agriculture Program Award for 2018. Lake Land College was one of only three community colleges to receive the award. The award recognizes exemplary postsecondary institutions and full-time young farmer and adult ag ed programs. Geographically divided into six regions, the National Association of Agriculture Educators is a federation of state agricultural educators’ associations with more than 7,800 members. The organization provides professional development for agricultural educators and works to recruit and retain agricultural educators in the profession. “This award is a celebration of past and current contributors of the ag division,” Division Chair Agriculture/Agriculture Instructor Ryan Orrick said. The association selected the award recipients based on colleges’ program mission, experiential learning and examples of how students have gotten involved in work-based learning such as cooperative education and internships, and partnerships with schools, community and industry leaders. The award comes with an invitation to the 2018 NAAE Convention in San Antonio, Texas. The division encompasses nine instructors who specialize in targeted instruction based on their areas of agriculture industry expertise, and lower student to teacher ratios promote an individualized learning experience and family atmosphere. The Lake Land College Agriculture Division offers 12 programs designed to prepare students for workforce and transfer opportunities such as the John Deere Tech program, one of few programs in the country that offers students first-hand experience working at a John Deere dealership. To learn more about the award visit naae.org, click on “Members,” and find “Awards and Grants.” To learn more about Lake Land College’s Agricultural Division visit lakelandcollege.edu and under “Academics” go to “Academic Division Information.” Lake Land College was one of six colleges in the nation to receive the NAAE Outstanding Postsecondary Agriculture Program Award for 2018. Lake Land College was one of only three community colleges to receive the award. Pictured left to right: Agriculture Instructor/Judging Team Coach Jordan Rauch, retired John Deere Technology Instructor Allen Drake, John Deere Technology Instructor Russell Neu, Ag Power Technology Instructor Anthony Reinhart, Agronomy Instructor/Farm manager Mark Niemerg, John Deere Technology Instructor Robert Miller, Division Chair Agriculture/Agriculture Instructor Ryan Orrick, Agriculture Business Instructor Ryan Wildman, Horticulture Instructor Dyke Barkley.
CAREER ACADEMY SELECTED TOP 20 STATE SHARED PROJECT Posted on August 15, 2018 CAREER ACADEMY SELECTED TOP 20 STATE SHARED PROJECT Lake Land College is proud to share this news release from the Effingham Regional Career Academy. The Effingham Regional Career Academy (ERCA) was recently named one of the top 20 examples of Shared Services Best Practices across the State of Illinois. Gov. Bruce Rauner and Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti unveiled a report highlighting examples of local governments banding together to share services, equipment and expertise to increase government efficiency and save taxpayer dollars. ERCA President, Effingham Unit #40 Superintendent Mark Doan, commented, “The ERCA is a cooperative effort between Lake Land College, Effingham County Chamber of Commerce, local businesses, and Effingham County schools that works to develop learning opportunities for citizens in the region. A lot of hard work has gone into developing partnerships to provide potential employees with the skills our area businesses are seeking. The ERCA is targeting both incumbent workers as well as high school level students while maximizing the resources available in an efficient manner. We are very proud of this recognition and look forward to continuing to expand this work.” The Lake Land College Board of Trustees has demonstrated support for an 8-year master facilities plan calling for the construction of the Rural Development Technology Center in Effingham. The anticipated 36,000 square-foot facility will serve as a permanent home for the Effingham Regional Career Academy. The facility is projected to be finished by 2023 with five ERCA career pathways and associated courses shared across Effingham County school districts, in addition to available incumbent worker and adult student programs. Lt. Gov. Sanguinetti said, “I commend these local leaders for finding innovative ways to deliver more efficient, effective, streamlined services for our taxpayers, and I encourage other local governments to follow their lead.” Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti will be presenting the award to the ERCA at the Kickoff to Education Breakfast to be held on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at the Keller Convention Center in Effingham. In total, 262 shared service examples were provided for best practice consideration. Out of those responses, 20 were selected to be published in the Journal. The report can be found at the following link: https://www2.illinois.gov/ltg/Pages/default.aspx To find more news about the Effingham Regional Career Academy, go to https://www.effinghamregionalcareeracademy.com/ or like us on Facebook “Effingham Regional Career Academy.”
Students Indicate Lake Land College is Their First Choice Posted on August 13, 2018 Most Lake Land College students reported Lake Land was their first choice of institution when deciding where to go to college, a recent study indicates. According to the Spring 2018 Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory Survey, 81 percent of students listed Lake Land College as their first choice, up from 73 percent in 2015. Survey results support the college’s enrollment reports that annually indicate Lake Land College is the top choice among the in-district seniors seeking a higher education. In addition, students ranked affordability and academic reputation as top reasons for choosing Lake Land. Specific rankings include 1. Cost, 2. Financial aid, 3. Academic reputation, 4. Personalized attention prior to enrollment and 5. Geographic setting. “The fact that geographic setting was listed as the fifth top reason, rather than first, second or third, defies the misconception that students mostly choose Lake Land simply due to geographic location,” Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said. “Our affordability and academic reputation continue to be reported by our students as most important to them.” The survey results also indicated Lake Land College was meeting or exceeding expectations of its students in every area measured by the national study. A majority, or 77 percent, of Lake Land students were more satisfied than their peers at community colleges nationwide. “Our spring 2018 student satisfaction survey results support the fact that the Lake Land family strives to exceed our students’ expectations,” Bullock said. Some of the areas where Lake Land College exceeded the expectations of its students were in academic advising/counseling, instructional effectiveness, academic services, and responsiveness to diverse populations. The Noel Levitz Student Satisfaction Inventory Survey was administered every year between 2002 through 2009 and once every three years since 2012. Survey responses were based off of 761 students enrolled in day and evening courses, on and off campus courses and online courses. Survey results can be found at lakelandcollege.edu. Under the “About Us” drop-down, click on “Institutional Research.”
New Program to Assist Students in Specialized Workforce Training Posted on The Lake Land College Board of Trustees approved a new financial assistance program that guarantees full tuition and fees for students enrolling in a specialized workforce training partnership. The proposal was approved August 13 during the regular board meeting held at the Kluthe Center for Higher Education and Technology in Effingham. During the two-year pilot, if a local business collaborates with the college to identify a training opportunity through which participants will earn a college certificate, and the business guarantees that all students who complete the program will be hired, the college will guarantee tuition and fees will be covered for the students. The idea originated through the college’s work with LSC Communications. Under this initiative, students who complete an eight-week training program and earn a college certificate are guaranteed a job at LSC at $16 to $18 per hour. Members of the first cohort completed training in July and are now employed at the printing company in Mattoon. A second cohort is scheduled to begin classes this fall. “Through our initial work with LSC, we have come to believe that many local residents are hesitant to enroll in a college program without the assurance that they have sufficient financial support to cover their cost of the program or that they will be employed at the end,” Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said. “As we continue to collaborate with community partners to prepare local residents for local employment, we want to ensure students have the opportunity to take advantage of these unique opportunities to create a pathway for a successful career.” Under the guaranteed financial assistance program, students will first apply for state and federal financial assistance. Should those sources not cover the costs, Lake Land College will waive any tuition and mandatory fees that remain. Tuition and fees for the 16-hour LSC Fast Track program are estimated at $2,300 per student. “By investing in our students, we are assisting our local employers’ in developing a valuable, trained workforce that will take their companies to the next level,” Bullock added. The board will review the outcome of the pilot at the end of each year to determine future implementation. For additional information, contact Jim Hull, vice president for workforce solutions and community education, at 217-234-5225.
Lake Land College to Host Transfer Day Posted on August 7, 2018 Current Lake Land College students and community members are invited to attend Transfer Day which will be held Wednesday, Sept. 12 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Lake Land College Field House. More than 20 colleges and universities from all over the Midwest will attend the event to discuss transfer options to four-year colleges or universities. Additionally, opportunities to discuss admission requirements, special major requirements, tuition costs and disability services will be available. The event is free and open to community members who would like to attend. Institutions present at the event include: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Illinois State University Purdue University College of Agriculture Kansas State University Western Illinois University Franklin University Lakeview College of Nursing St. John’s College of Nursing Eureka College Northern Illinois University Butler University Criminology & Criminal Justice at SIU Carbondale Barnes Jewish College Quincy University Murray State University Illinois College Lincoln College Indiana State University / Online University of Missouri–St. Louis Millikin University Northern Illinois University Southern Illinois University Carbondale Lincoln College Eastern Illinois University Lakeview College of Nursing University of Illinois Springfield Franklin University Quincy University Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College McKendree University Online Programs For more information, contact Bryan Burrell, academic counselor, in Counseling Services at 217-234-5379 or bburrell@lakelandcollege.edu.
Lake Land College Offers Basic Nursing Assistant Classes Posted on July 31, 2018 Lake Land College’s Adult Education is offering free BNA classes at the Lake Land College Western Region Center in Pana. The class orientation location and date is as follows: Pana – Lake Land College Western Region Center, 600 E. First St. – Monday, August 6 at 4 p.m. For more information or to register, call 217-238-8292 or email adulteducation@lakelandcollege.edu.
Lake Land College opens scholarship opportunity for students Posted on July 26, 2018 The Lake Land College Foundation will reopen its scholarship application period to allow incoming students to apply for a scholarship for the 2018-2019 academic year. Applications will be accepted August 7 through August 23. The application must be submitted by 5 p.m. Thursday, August 23 to be considered for a Lake Land College Foundation scholarship. All incoming students, including non-traditional students, recent high school graduates and current students, are encouraged to apply. If a student previously applied for a Foundation scholarship for fall 2018 and did not receive one, they need not apply again. Those applications will automatically be reviewed again during this period. “The Lake Land College Foundation Board of Directors is very excited to assist our incoming students in making college more affordable with this scholarship blitz,” Jackie Joines, executive director of college advancement, said. Scholarship applications are available on the Lake Land College website. Go to lakelandcollege.edu and look for the “Paying for College” menu. Then select “Scholarships” or go directly to lakelandcollege.edu/scholarship-opportunities/. To be considered for scholarship awards, completed applications must be received by the Lake Land College Foundation office by 5 p.m. on August 23. Applicants will be considered for all Foundation scholarships for which they qualify. Applications will not be accepted after this deadline. For additional information, contact Lake Land College Foundation at 217-234-5445 or prosine@lakelandcollege.edu.
Get ready for fall semester at Lake Land College Posted on July 19, 2018 Fall classes begin Monday, Aug. 20, but there is still time to register at Lake Land College! Lake Land College courses are offered throughout east central Illinois at convenient times and locations for you! Take a class online, in your community or on campus in Mattoon. For a list of fall classes throughout the Lake Land College district, visit lakelandcollege.edu and click on the “View Schedules” link. Students can contact Counseling Services at 217-234-5232 or counsel@lakelandcollege.edu for additional information regarding the enrollment process or to schedule an appointment to meet with a counselor. Counselors are available to meet 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday during summer hours. Lake Land will be holding extended registration hours on Friday, Aug. 17 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Luther Student Center on campus in Mattoon. This is the last day to register for fall semester before classes begin; late registration will continue through Tuesday, Aug. 21. Please note that on Friday, Aug. 17, all college offices will be closed from 8-10 a.m. Services will resume at 10 a.m. All students are invited to attend Welcome Day on August 22 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Field House to learn more about clubs, opportunities and college services. To stay up-to-date with activities, deadlines and information, be sure to follow the Lake Land College Facebook page.
Lake Land College and LSC Communications to hold fast track training informational sessions Posted on Lake Land College and LSC Communications are offering an eight-week fast track training program leading to a job at the printing facility in Mattoon. Lake Land College is guaranteeing financial assistance to cover the cost of the training for all students who qualify for the program. Individuals who complete the training will receive a college certificate and will be hired by LSC Communications in the positions of bindery operator, press operator or assistant press operator at wages of $16 to $18 per hour. Once hired, the employee will enter into an apprenticeship to learn the detailed craft of printing. Those interested in the program must attend one of three informational sessions at the Lake Land College Workforce Development Center, 305 Richmond Ave., E, Mattoon on: Tuesday, July 24, 2018, from 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, July 25, 2018, from 9-10 a.m. Thursday, July 26, 2018, from 1-2 p.m. Details of the Manufacturing Skills training program will be discussed as well as application requirements. Students will need to take steps to qualify for financial assistance including meeting with a representative from C.E.F.S. and completing the FAFSA financial aid form. For students who do not qualify for C.E.F.S. funding or financial aid, Lake Land College will cover the cost of their tuition and fees. The fast track training classes will be held from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday at the Workforce Development Center. Classes begin August 20 and end October 16. Labor Day will be observed. For more information, contact Bonnie Moore, director to Center for Business and Industry, at 217-238-8260 or email bmoore7125@lakelandcollege.edu.
Lake Land College offers understanding dementia course Posted on July 18, 2018 Lake Land College’s Center for Business and Industry will offer a non-credit course titled “Know the Signs: Early Detection Matters” on Wednesday, August 8 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. in Webb Hall, room 081 on Lake Land’s Mattoon campus. The class will be facilitated by Elizabeth Hagemann, MA, Manager of Education and Outreach, with the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter. The warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease are often dismissed as side effects of normal aging. If you or someone you know is experiencing memory loss of behavioral changes, it’s time to know the facts. Early detection gives you a chance to begin drug therapy, enroll in clinical studies and plan for the future. Attend this training to learn the ten warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease. The course will separate myth from reality and address common fears surrounding Alzheimer’s in America. Hear from individuals who have the disease and find out how to recognize the signs in yourself and others. This class is free and open to the community. CEU’s will be offered to licensed dental hygienists, cosmetologists, estheticians, nail technicians, nurses and massage therapists. To register for the course, visit lakelandcollege.edu/learn. For more information, contact Jackie Wake, professional development support, at 217-234-5087 or email jwake@lakelandcollege.edu.