Laker Nation News

The community is invited to attend the 8th annual Lake Land College Pathways Holiday Auction held Nov. 29 from 7:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. in the Northeast Building, room 114 on the Lake Land College campus.

Pathways to the Future alternative education program is a an alternative high school program serving Lake Land College’s district students between the ages of 16 to 21 who have dropped out or are at-risk of dropping out of high school.

Through the past seven years, employees have raised more than $31,379 to provide gifts and necessities to Pathways’ students during the holiday season. Many of these students come from impoverished backgrounds and homes which often lack basic necessities. Once gifts are purchased, remaining funds will be used to help cover GED exam scholarships.

Many items have been donated by local businesses, along with handmade craft items and homemade baked goods. Donated items are auctioned off during an all-day silent auction and a spirited live auction. Both donations of live and silent auction items are welcome.

For more information regarding this event, please contact English Instructor Matt Landrus at 217-234-5317 or Director of Adult and Alternative Education Dirk Muffler at 217-234-8383.

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Lake Land College is offering a short-term Public Safety Telecommunicator certificate for people interested in the high-demand dispatching field.

Lake Land is currently enrolling students in this program available for spring 2018, which begins Jan. 8, at the Kluthe Center for Higher Education and Technology.

Jodi Moomaw, Effingham communications manager, assisted Lake Land College in developing the program to provide professional training for future telecommunicators, who are integral members of the emergency response team.

“Telecommunicators are no different than all other emergency responders, they just aren’t seen. They are the key connection to the person needing assistance to the police, fire and EMS responder. They must have tools and knowledge on what to ask or how to take control while gaining the information needed during all types of emergencies,” Moomaw said. “The expectation of the public when they dial 911 is they are speaking to a trained professional ready to help them in whatever way necessary.”

According to a recent survey conducted by Lake Land College, area dispatch center directors said the program would be a valuable asset to the profession.

The Lake Land College 17-credit-hour program is modeled after the Illinois Public Safety Telecommunicator Training Basic Certification Curriculum. The certificate is financial aid eligible and includes courses such as Basic Telecommunicator, Responding to Emergencies, Keyboarding, Practical Software Applications, Interpersonal Communication and Introduction to Psychology. Students will also complete an internship.

Upon successful completion, a Lake Land College graduate will be equipped with the basic skills and knowledge that will be required by public safety telecommunicator dispatch centers. The certificate can be completed in a single semester.

The benefit of offering this certification will result in a larger pool of skilled, qualified applicants to the area, Moomaw said. Many of the 911 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) across the nation are also looking for qualified staff, she added.

For more information, contact Academic Counselor and Coordinator of Student Accommodations Andy Gaines at 217-234-5259 or againes@lakelandcollege.edu

Find out more about this program and others by attending Explore Lake Land for adult students going on at the Kluthe Center, Nov. 28 and on campus in Mattoon, Nov. 30. New adult students who attend and register for spring classes may qualify for a tuition-free class up to three credit hours. https://www.lakelandcollege.edu/explore-lake-land/

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Lake Land College is offering a 12-hour course that will prepare students for the Part 107 sUAV Commercial Certification Exam, taught by a certified flight instructor. The Federal Aviation Administration requires drone operators to complete and pass an Unmanned Aerial System aeronautical knowledge test as one of the requirements for flying commercial drones legally.

Students will receive basic ground school training, instruction and practice. The certified flight instructor will present lectures and materials explaining FAA regulations, the National Airspace System, weather, loading and performance, operations and safety procedures.

Four dates will be available: Dec. 5, 7, 12 and 14. All classes will meet from 6-9 p.m.

Classes will be held at the Workforce Development Center located at 305 Richmond Ave. East, Mattoon, IL, 61938. The cost is $499, which includes the $150 exam fee.

Register at www.lakelandcollege.edu/learn.

For more information, contact Sandy Spaulding, professional development support, at 217-234-5087 or email sspaulding@lakelandcollege.edu.

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Current Lake Land College students or new students who are going to enroll in the spring 2018 semester and are in a Workforce Ready program may be eligible to receive additional financial assistance. The assistance is available if their program is approved through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and they meet eligibility requirements for WIOA funding.

Students who did not qualify for fall funding, due to significant work hours in the summer, should reapply for spring funding.

A C.E.F.S. representative will be available to meet with students to determine if they qualify for financial assistance at the Lake Land College Kluthe Center, 1204 Network Centre Drive, Effingham, on:

• Wednesday, Nov. 15 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 28 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

For both dates, Lake Land College academic counselors will be on site to assist any new or current students with registration or program questions.

Additional financial assistance may include tuition, fees and required items such as uniforms, tools, supplies, transportation and child care assistance. This assistance would be in addition to any scholarships or financial aid, such as Pell and MAP grants, that a student may already be receiving.

Students enrolled in AAS or certificate programs, such as Nursing, Physical Therapist Assistant, Welding and Dental Hygiene, etc. are eligible for this assistance. The major must be approved by WIOA as an Occupational Skills Training program. C.E.F.S., the WIOA services provider, will meet with students in a brief private meeting to determine eligibility and verify the student is enrolled in a WIOA-approved program.

A Lake Land College financial aid advisor will also be available to answer questions about financial aid. Students will be able to find out if they are eligible for financial assistance through the Perkins Program or for free services through TRiO Student Support Services.

If Lake Land students are unable to attend either day, but would like more information, they may contact the Effingham C.E.F.S. office at 217-342-4382 and use extensions 226, 227 or 228.  The sign-up process may take 2–4 weeks and must be completed before the spring semester begins for students to be eligible.

For more information, contact Karen Kull, director of the Kluthe Center, at 217-540-3500 or kkull@lakelandcollege.edu.

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Lake Land College District 517, located in Mattoon, Illinois, serves the second largest community college district in the state, with a total population of 189,869. The Lake Land College district comprises all or part of 15 counties and 31 public school districts in rural east central Illinois. Counties served by Lake Land College include: Christian, Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Macon, Montgomery, Moultrie and Shelby.

Lake Land College is offering Explore Lake Land open house events to help new and returning students take the first step in getting started.

Explore is designed for students who have been out of school for a while or for those who are seeking to start their college education. New adult students who register for spring classes may qualify for a tuition-free class up to three credit hours.

Interested individuals have two options. The first event will take place at the Kluthe Center for Higher Education and Technology in Effingham on Tuesday, Nov. 28 from 2-7 p.m. The second option will be held on campus in Mattoon on Thursday, Nov. 30 from 2-7 p.m. Individuals only have to attend one event and can plan to stay for about an hour.

Explore Lake Land will follow an informational fair format and will help students learn about the resources available to help them succeed.

“Lake Land College faculty and staff understand that adults have unique experiences when returning to school. These events are designed to create an environment where adults will feel welcome to explore their interests in coming to Lake Land. We are here to help individuals identify their objectives and to begin working toward their goal of taking a class or earning a degree or certificate,” said Chris Strohl, director of community outreach.

At Lake Land, adult students make up a majority of the student body.

“About 64 percent of our students are 24 and older,” Strohl added. “You are very likely to be in classes with people your own age.”

Investing in a college education at any age is economically beneficial according to a recent state study. Lake Land College graduates can expect an average 20 percent annual return on their investment in their degree. They can also expect an average immediate post-graduation wage increase of more than $6,700, according to a study conducted by the Illinois Community College Board, in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Employment Security and Northern Illinois University Center for Governmental Studies.

New adult students who register for a spring class during one of these events may qualify for one tuition-free class up to three credit hours. New adult students are defined as those who have not attended Lake Land College within the past three years or have not recently graduated from high school and immediately attended college. The tuition waiver is good for one college credit class, up to three hours, and is for in-district residents.

Registration is not required, but is encouraged. To learn more about Explore, call Strohl at 217-234-5429 or lakelandcollege.edu/explore-lake-land/.

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Lake Land College District 517, located in Mattoon, Illinois, serves the second largest community college district in the state, with a total population of 189,869. The Lake Land College district comprises all or part of 15 counties and 31 public school districts in rural east central Illinois. Counties served by Lake Land College include: Christian, Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Macon, Montgomery, Moultrie and Shelby.

Visit Lake Land College and find out all the college offers at Laker Visit Day. The event will be held Friday, Oct. 20 in the Luther Student Center starting at 9 a.m. and will run until noon.

The event is for potential students who are interested in learning more about Lake Land College. Parents/guardians and spouses are welcome to come along and attend the Parent and Spouse Session.

Representatives from Admissions & Records, Financial Aid & Veteran Services, Counseling Services, Career Services and Student Life will provide information and answer questions. The event includes campus tours and informational sessions by Lake Land College Student Ambassadors. Participants will also meet with faculty members in their academic area of interest to learn more about program offerings at Lake Land.

“Laker Visit Day is a great way for prospective students and parents to talk to faculty and staff about academic options and programs of study, to talk to current students about student life and to learn about financial aid options and opportunities,” said Lisa Shumard-Shelton, director of new student admissions.

Additional Laker Visit Days are scheduled for Dec. 1, Feb. 9, March 23 and June 21.

Register online at lakelandcollege.edu/visit or call 217-234-5254.

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Lake Land College District 517, located in Mattoon, Illinois, serves the second largest community college district in the state, with a total population of 189,869. The Lake Land College district comprises all or part of 15 counties and 31 public school districts in rural east central Illinois. Counties served by Lake Land College include: Christian, Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Macon, Montgomery, Moultrie and Shelby.

Four Lake Land College students received awards at the annual Illinois Broadcasters Association Student Silver Dome Awards held at Illinois State University.

Kimo Byars, Charleston, won first place in Best Longform Entertainment Programming. Maclean Enright, Charleston, won second place in Best Longform Entertainment Programming. Cody Borntreger, Oakland, won third place in Best Longform Entertainment Programming. And John Bejma, Effingham, placed second in Best Sales Presentation.

According to Greg Powers, broadcasting instructor, the awards were held in conjunction with the student IBA-U conference held in Bloomington. The conference is a one-day event that features workshops and panel discussions designed to expose the college broadcasting student to the world of radio and television.

“Students are competing with numerous two-year and four-year institutions throughout the state, and Lake Land College students continue to bring home awards each year,” said Powers. “We’re excited about the award-winning work students produce here at Lake Land College.”

For more information about Lake Land’s radio and television program contact Powers, at 217-234-5335 or email him at gpowers@lakelandcollege.edu.

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Lake Land College District 517, located in Mattoon, Illinois, serves the second largest community college district in the state, with a total population of 189,869. The Lake Land College district comprises all or part of 15 counties and 31 public school districts in rural east central Illinois. Counties served by Lake Land College include: Christian, Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Macon, Montgomery, Moultrie and Shelby.

Help your high school student get a jump start on earning college credits with Lake Land College’s Dual Credit Program.

This fall, the Lake Land College Dual Credit program will host various parent and student information nights throughout the college district. The information nights are open to parents and students who are high school sophomores, juniors and seniors.

“Sometimes college can be intimidating, costly or overwhelming, but for high school students throughout the Lake Land College district, they can get a taste of college without ever leaving their high school classrooms,” said Steve Garren, director of dual credit.

The Lake Land College Dual Credit program offers eligible high school juniors and seniors the chance to enroll in college-level courses while earning both high school and college credit, tuition free. Courses are taught by a high school teacher who is qualified to instruct college-level classes during the regular high school day at the high school’s facilities.

During the information nights, parents and students will learn about opportunities at district high schools, types of courses offered, transfer information and costs associated with dual credit classes.

The information nights will be held during the following times:

• Monday, Oct. 30 at Lake Land College in Mattoon, Webb Hall, room 081 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 2 at the Eastern Region Center, room 102, 224 S. Sixth Street, Marshall from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
• Monday, Nov. 6 at the Kluthe Center, room 120, 1204 Network Centre Blvd., Effingham, from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 9 at the Western Region Center, room, 107, 600 E. First St., Pana from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

 To enroll in dual credit courses, students must be juniors or seniors and initially have a high school grade point average equivalent of a C to enroll.  Once a student has taken at least one dual credit course, he/she must maintain a Lake Land College grade point average of 2.0 to continue enrollment. Students must meet all prerequisites and requirements as any other student taking classes on the Lake Land College campus would.

High schools participating in the Dual Credit program through Lake Land College include Altamont High School, Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond High School, Beecher City Jr-Sr High School, Brownstown High School, Casey-Westfield High School, Charleston High School, Cowden-Herrick High School, Cumberland High School, Dieterich Jr/Sr High School, Effingham High School, Kansas High School, Marshall High School, Martinsville High School, Mattoon High School, Neoga Sr High School, Oakland High School, Okaw Valley High School, Pana Sr High School, Paris Cooperative High School, Ramsey High School, Shelbyville High School, Shiloh High School, St. Anthony High School, Stewardson-Strasburg High School, Sullivan High School, Teutopolis High School and Windsor Jr & Sr High School.

 To learn more about dual credit opportunities through Lake Land College, contact Marki Millsap, academic support specialist dual credit, at 217-234-5397 or mmillsap1@lakelandcollege.edu.

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 Lake Land College District 517, located in Mattoon, Illinois, serves the second largest community college district in the state, with a total population of 189,869. The Lake Land College district comprises all or part of 15 counties and 31 public school districts in rural east central Illinois. Counties served by Lake Land College include: Christian, Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Macon, Montgomery, Moultrie and Shelby.

Lake Land College’s Adult Education is offering free BNA classes throughout the Lake Land College district beginning in January.

The class orientation locations and dates are as follows:

• Marshall – Lake Land College Eastern Region Center, 224 S. Sixth St. – Monday, Nov. 13 at 9 a.m.
• Mattoon – Lake Land College Workforce Development Center, 305 Richmond Ave. E. – Thursday, Nov. 16 at 4 p.m.
• Pana – Lake Land College Western Region Center, 600 E. First St. – Monday, Dec. 11 at 5:30 p.m.

For these classes, students’ tuition will be waived and all class materials will be provided. For more information or to register, call 217-238-8292 or email adulteducation@lakelandcollege.edu.

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Lake Land College District 517, located in Mattoon, Illinois, serves the second largest community college district in the state, with a total population of 189,869. The Lake Land College district comprises all or part of 15 counties and 31 public school districts in rural east central Illinois. Counties served by Lake Land College include: Christian, Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Macon, Montgomery, Moultrie and Shelby.

Beginning on Nov.1 the Lake Land College Dental Hygiene program is offering free dental cleanings to veterans through the month of November for Veterans Appreciation Month.

Clinic hours are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 1-5 p.m., and Wednesday from 12-4 p.m. The clinic is located in the Northwest Building, room 116 on the Lake Land College campus, 5001 Lake Land Blvd., Mattoon. Appointments for free cleanings for Veterans will be scheduled from Nov. 11-30.

Please call 217-234-5249 to schedule an appointment.