News and Notes

March 2026
Bridging the Gap Between High School and College

Perhaps the most urgent challenge in higher education today is how to reframe the idea of college for an increasingly skeptical generation of high school students. In Lake Land’s district alone, roughly half of recent high school graduates choose to opt out of college altogether, and these trends aren’t limited to just our area. As mounting research points to concerns regarding the cost and value of college, we at Lake Land have been proactively rethinking education to launch practical, innovative programs that fit busy lives, career goals and budgets. But while cost and value are indeed the two most voiced concerns about college, dig just a little deeper and you’ll find another extensive source of student apprehension: a growing crisis in confidence.

In recent findings by the Education Advisory Board (EAB), a shocking 22% of surveyed high school students reported that they decided against college due to not feeling mentally ready. Meanwhile, doubt about succeeding in college was a top concern among 26% of all students, behind only affordability and value. From this data, it’s clear that, if we want to attract students to higher education, we must ignite their confidence and their sense of belonging. To accomplish this, our partnerships with local high schools are more important than ever.

At Lake Land, we’re proud to work closely with our 31 district high schools to build a wide range of solutions that help bridge the gap between high school graduation and college enrollment. Perhaps the most notable example is dual credit, a program that allows students to enroll in classes that count toward both high school and college completion. At Lake Land, our recently revamped Laker Connect Dual Credit program has strengthened our connections and aligned curriculum with our region’s high schools, allowing their students to access courses to complete gen eds and explore career options before they graduate. I’m pleased to share that our commitment to dual credit partnerships has been wonderfully successful: this Spring semester alone, the program enrolled nearly 1,500 students, helping them gain a valuable head start toward their academic goals.

But beyond time and cost savings, what stands out most about dual credit is the way it bridges the gap between high school and college. By succeeding in dual credit courses, students prove to themselves that they can succeed in college, and the effect of this confidence boost is astronomical. According to the Community College Research Center (CCRC), 81% of dual credit students nationwide enroll in college immediately after graduating from high school, and they also complete degrees at a higher rate than their peers. With this data, it’s evident that our efforts to strengthen high school to college pipelines must continue to make dual credit a top priority.

In addition to building student confidence through dual credit courses, our Laker Connect team is behind several creative initiatives that further bridge the gap between high school and college. In February, the team held the first-annual Laker Academic Invitational, a competitive academic challenge in which more than 300 students from 17 district high schools joined us on campus to test their knowledge in math, science, English and technology. In addition, the Laker Connect team recently hosted our first-ever high school welding competition, welcoming 55 students from 13 local high schools to campus for the start of a thrilling new tradition. Both the academic challenge and welding competition are fun ways for students to demonstrate their skills and compete for exciting prizes, but they’re also opportunities for students to ease their nerves about college. By providing a fun way to explore program options and experience a campus environment, these events help students view college as something attainable, all while being reminded that their talents are worth celebrating.

Beyond Laker Connect, we’re proud to be active partners with local schools and programs that advance dual credit opportunities. Since we opened our Effingham Technology Center last fall, the building has hosted Creating Opportunities for Regional Employment (CORE), an academy for high school students from 16 local school districts to explore career pathways. By partnering with CORE, we’re able to provide students with access to state-of-the-art educational facilities and resources as they discover opportunities in agriculture, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, information technology and transportation, some of which are even taught by Lake Land instructors!

These partnerships, however, don’t just stop with CORE Academy: look throughout our region and you’ll find many more examples of how we’re working to help students discover college and career pathways. Here in Mattoon, we’ve enjoyed ongoing collaboration with Leaders Innovating for Tomorrow (LIFT), which offers classes in childcare, communications, culinary arts, HVAC, architecture and construction, robotics and more, helping build bridges to college and careers for students from 28 local high schools. In Charleston, we’re working in partnership with the Trojan A&M program, helping identify curriculum and support work-based opportunities that help students develop career-specific skills. Meanwhile, we’re proud to offer dual credit courses with the OKAW Vocational Center, allowing students to explore careers as automotive technicians, welders and basic nursing assistants (BNA).

No matter what shape these partnerships take, however, the goal remains the same: easing the transition between high school and college. It’s with this in mind that we continue to prioritize engaging ways to welcome high school students to campus, allowing them to explore the endless opportunities available to them and helping them realize that they do in fact belong here. Our Laker Visit Days and program open houses are consistently popular events that allow students to meet with faculty, ask questions and dive into programs of interest. In February, we also held the annual High School Leadership Conference, welcoming more than 120 students from eight local high schools to campus. At this event, high schoolers in attendance got the chance to see what college life is all about by talking with current Lake Land students and even exploring our campus through an interactive scavenger hunt game.

Our efforts to ease the transition from high school to college even include unique support for low-income and first-generation students thanks to a special program right here on our campus: TRIO Destination College. This program provides personalized assistance, career and financial counseling, tutoring help, ACT prep, college and financial aid application support, college visits and many other resources to help alleviate barriers for the most at-risk student populations and help them graduate from high school with momentum to pursue higher education. And, for students who continue their education at Lake Land, our TRIO Student Support Services program provides ongoing support to help them sustain their success and graduate with an associate degree or certificate.

As you can see, at Lake Land College we are thrilled by the partnerships we hold with our local high schools, and we hope to continue finding new ways to strengthen them. To our district high schools, thank you for your continued collaboration. From dual credit classes to competitions on our campus to partnerships throughout the community, we’re working hand-in-hand to help students view college enrollment as something not to be feared, but celebrated. I look forward to hearing your ideas on how we can continue to support high school graduates and empower them for college and career success.

For more of my thoughts about a range of innovative topics that impact higher education, our communities and our future, be sure to check out the Laker Advantage Podcast: Insights and Sidebars with Dr. B on Spotify.

February 2026
Experience Education Like Never Before

He clocks out of his shift as the morning crew finally arrives. And as the town around him springs to life with friends, family and neighbors starting their day, he drives home to finally get some rest. He’s been working the third shift in a manufacturing plant for years, building a vast array of skills that only come with experience. The one thing he doesn’t have, however, is a college education, which he knows would open countless doors for his career. Between the demands of work, family and other commitments, the idea of going to college can feel impossible for many across our region. Rigid class schedules and lab times tend to conflict with busy work hours, and the idea of sitting in a classroom to cover already-mastered topics seems impractical for experienced tradespeople. But what if there was an academic option that addressed all of this? What if the college experience could be tailored to fit the unique life of every student? These are exactly the questions that led to the introduction of our new Competency-Based Education (CBE) high-demand manufacturing program set to launch this fall. CBE is an innovative approach to education built around one underlying principle: that learning is best measured by application, not by time spent in a classroom. With CBE, students learn entirely at their own pace. Rather than following a set schedule designed for an entire class to follow, CBE students spend as little or as much time as personally necessary on any topic, and they progress once they’ve demonstrated their mastery. The CBE model is a win-win for students of all skill levels and backgrounds. For more advanced students joining us with years of work experience, the format allows them to rapidly advance through classes and earn credit for what they already know. For them, earning an associate degree could be only a matter of months, not years. Meanwhile, students who need more support can take as much time as needed to master the material and receive individualized instruction without risking falling behind. To make this flexibility possible, Lake Land’s CBE classes will be offered online, with students able to access class materials anytime, anywhere. For all in-person, hands-on requirements, students will schedule a time to come to campus in Mattoon and work in our FlexTech lab. This state-of-the-art manufacturing facility is stocked with industry-standard machinery and training equipment for students to master their skills in programming, robotics, hydraulics, pneumatics and much more. And, under the flexible CBE format, the lab is open and staffed by faculty 12 hours per day, three days per week, meaning students can choose their own lab times rather than following a set schedule. At Lake Land, we began the journey toward implementing CBE as early as 2023. We worked with grant support from the Illinois Manufacturing Workforce Ecosystem (IMWE) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) to research the viability of CBE in higher education, offering the FlexTech lab on a limited basis in select programs. Now, following a successful research period, I am thrilled to say that our CBE model was officially approved by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to become the standard format starting Fall 2026 for three of our high-demand manufacturing programs: the Automation Specialist I and Automation Specialist II certificate programs and the Applied Engineering Technology degree program. These three manufacturing programs equip students with industry-standard credentials recognized by the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA), allowing students to advance, switch or launch careers in the high-demand fields of technology, engineering, logistics, programming and more. In addition, the two Automation Specialist certificates count toward completing the Applied Engineering Technology degree, meaning students can efficiently stack credentials throughout the degree journey. This allows students to show proof of their learning and upgrade their careers during every step of the college journey. With the implementation of CBE, Lake Land College has an exciting opportunity to serve as a trailblazer in an academic format rapidly gaining momentum across the country. With countless employers facing shortages in key positions and the rise of technology, such as AI, revolutionizing our communities, leaders in all levels of education are recognizing a need to support different learning styles and ensure employees are equipped with career-ready skills that will always be in demand. The answer to all these priorities might be here with CBE. As you can see, there are countless reasons to look forward to CBE at Lake Land College. We hope the model’s implementation in these three manufacturing programs can serve as a blueprint for expanding the format to additional majors. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the new CBE format and the potential it holds for the future of education. For more of my thoughts about a range of innovative topics that impact higher education, our communities and our future, be sure to check out the Laker Advantage Podcast: Insights and Sidebars with Dr. B on Spotify.

November 2025
Shaping the Future with Community Partnership

The world of education, by its very nature, will always be intertwined with that of industry. One of my favorite parts about being here at Lake Land College is knowing that every day across our campus – whether it’s in a classroom, science lab, art studio, welding station, soils lab, greenhouse, nursing simulation lab or even a John Deere garage – our community’s future trades workers, medical professionals, business owners, innovators and leaders are gaining practical knowledge and hands-on experience to help their careers take flight. Truly, Lake Land is much more than just a college: it’s a bridge between students chasing dreams and communities building futures.

It’s with this in mind that we place such a strong emphasis on building partnerships and continually investing in our relationships with local organizations and businesses. From job placements for our students, apprenticeship programs where workers earn while they learn, clinical arrangements for our healthcare students and even curriculum development to match industry expectations, we are truly thankful for the many wonderful partnerships we have with our community and the instrumental role they play in the success of our students.

But just as naturally as they are connected, the worlds of education and industry are always changing. As business needs adapt with the emergence of new data, innovations and technology, we too must be nimble to ensure our students are prepared for an ever-changing workforce and that our partnerships continue to assist with dynamic industry needs. That’s why I’m pleased to share with you an exciting initiative from the Lake Land College Foundation – the Community Partnership Program – which offers a new framework for connection that is built for long-term impact.

But this program is much more than just a fundraiser for students. With each sponsorship tier, partners unlock a package of exclusive benefits designed for year-round connection. Among the benefits that our partners have already enjoyed include invitations to campus events, company recognition on our Foundation webpage, company logo inclusion on digital and physical banners and sponsorship recognition at College events. One of our gold-level sponsors was even featured as a guest on an episode of my podcast!

Beyond all of these benefits, the most valuable advantage for community partners is that they unlock exclusive opportunities to engage directly with our students. This connects to that inherent relationship between education and industry: the idea that by supporting our students today, many of our partners are truly investing in their own future workforce. Whether it’s by speaking with a class, networking with soon-to-be graduates or attending campus events such as Career Day, Community Partners enjoy heightened brand awareness and direct interaction with Lake Land College students. In turn, this leads to a powerful advantage when it comes to addressing employment needs and securing an ongoing pipeline of high-demand talent.

With these benefits in mind, it’s no wonder that in just its first year, our Community Partnership Program has already been a remarkable success. In 2025 alone, we welcomed 21 Community Partners into the program, who contributed $92,000 for scholarships and emergency funds for students. This means that we were able to support an additional 92 students who may not have otherwise received financial support. Truly, by joining us in this mission, our partners are helping to reduce financial obstacles for our students and create pathways for them to experience the life-changing impact of education.

As you can see, there is a lot to be excited about from the early results of our Community Partnership Program, and we are eager to see how this initiative continues to grow. If you or your organization are interested in becoming a Community Partner, you can visit LakeLandCollege.edu/Foundation/Community-Partners/ to learn more about the program, view details about sponsorship tiers and complete the registration process. You can also contact the Foundation & Alumni Office at 217-234-5363 or foundation@lakelandcollege.edu for more info.

As we move forward, I look forward to discussing with you what a successful partnership looks like for you and your organization. After all, when we work together and follow our shared goals, there is no end to what we can accomplish for our students, businesses and communities.

For more of my thoughts about a range of innovative topics that impact higher education, our communities and our future, be sure to check out the Laker Advantage Podcast: Insights and Sidebars with Dr. B on Spotify.

September 2025
What’s New on Campus for Fall 2025

There’s something special about the Fall months at Lake Land College. It’s a time when campus truly comes to life as we welcome students back for another great year. As I see new and familiar faces here on campus, studying in our classrooms, using the technology in our labs, making new friends in our commons areas and cheering on the Lakers in our Field House, I’m reminded of just how much responsibility we carry as an institution to provide our students with an excellent campus experience. After all, a campus isn’t just a place to attend classes. It’s a place that holds the tools, resources and technologies that empower students to master their crafts and launch meaningful careers. It’s a place where ideas grow, friendships are formed and futures begin to take shape.

If there is any doubt about how crucial the campus experience is for students, consider a recent study by Forbes, which found that 84% of prospective students made campus visits a part of their college selection process. It’s evident that for students, seeing a college in person – and witnessing firsthand the culture, resources, technology and facilities that will help shape their futures – is a vital factor in any college choice. We can attest to this ourselves at Lake Land College. Our Laker Visit Day events, which allow local high school students to visit campus, tour buildings and meet our caring faculty and staff, are consistently among our most effective recruitment tools. During the 2024-2025 school year, 53% of Laker Visit Day attendees enrolled at Lake Land College.

With this in mind, it’s clear that strategic improvements in our campus are crucial investments in student recruitment, retention and success. That’s why it is my privilege to share with you some exciting updates that are new to campus for 2025 and which will provide a welcoming, supportive and inspiring experience for our students and communities for many years to come.

Over the summer, we renovated our Student Success Center, which provides vital services to help our students excel throughout their time at Lake Land. At the Student Success Center, students can access free tutoring in any subject, complete placement and accommodation testing, receive tips for productive homework and study habits and much more. The updated Student Success Center offers a modern, welcoming space more conducive to tutoring and testing than ever before, complete with improved soundproofing for the center’s private study rooms and designated testing area. The renovations for the Student Success Center were completed just in time for the start of the new semester, and it’s been incredible to see so many students already enjoying the upgraded space.

Across campus in the Northwest building lies our next major project: upgraded and remodeled science labs. This is another project we kicked off over the summer, and we’re excited to see the full vision for the labs nearing completion. The new labs will provide students with an enhanced learning experience, with technology and equipment on par with anything you’d find at a university. In fact, we often hear from our transfer students that they are better prepared than their peers for high-level university courses, having spent two years using equipment available only to university upperclassmen. We’re always proud to see how our hands-on approach to learning is giving our students a leg up, and we can’t wait to see how our new science labs continue to help boost academic success when they are completed in October.

We’re also wrapping up a couple of lofty campus improvements, with extensive renovations to both the West Building and Field House roofs. These projects are crucial investments in two of our key facilities, with the Field House roof in particular serving as a breathtaking sight for all campus visitors. The new roof is a striking Laker red, a bold symbol of our college pride and a beautiful showpiece for our campus. We hope you’ll come by soon to check out the new roof and stick around to catch a ballgame and cheer on our Lakers to victory!

Of course, our most significant campus improvement lies in Effingham, where we recently opened our newest extension center, the Effingham Technology Center. Spanning 100,000-square-feet, the building allows us to expand opportunities for higher education and workforce preparedness throughout the local region. The building offers dynamic, realistic learning opportunities in a number of cutting-edge facilities, including hospital simulation labs, a hands-on physical therapy lab, a spa-like massage clinic and a full chemistry and biology lab. The Effingham Technology Center also contains our first-ever Innovation Center, where virtual reality, augmented reality and makerspace labs provide an immersive space for students to test the limits of their imaginations.

As you can see, there is plenty for us to be excited about throughout the community as we start the new school year. We’re incredibly proud of the work we’ve done to promote academic success, foster a positive community and provide our students with a state-of-the-art experience through these strategic investments in our campus. As we move ahead into this new school year, I look forward to discussing with you the vital role that campuses play in creating inviting, sustainable and supportive spaces for our students while enhancing the reputation and long-term viability of our college.

For more of my thoughts about a range of innovative topics that impact higher education, our communities and our future, be sure to check out the Laker Advantage Podcast: Insights and Sidebars with Dr. B on Spotify.

April 2024
Celebrating Community College Month

With the arrival of April, it’s once again time to join our peers throughout the nation in celebration of National Community College Month. We are proud to share a common goal of accessible education and community enrichment with so many remarkable institutions throughout our country. We are excited to take this time to celebrate the immeasurable value these colleges offer by enhancing economic opportunity and creating pathways for social mobility throughout their regions.

Community colleges are uniquely positioned to serve the diverse needs of modern students. Whether they plan to transfer to a university or rapidly enter the workforce, community college students can choose from a variety of flexible programs to take the first steps toward achieving their goals. At Lake Land College, our programs range from 8-week certificates to 2-year associate degree tracks, all of which offer a powerful combination of classroom instruction and hands-on experience to ensure student success beyond graduation.

With their flexible programs offered at a fraction of the cost of a university, community colleges present sizable financial savings and empower students to take control of their educational experience. This is particularly vital for the most underserved student populations, such as students who are low-income, first-generation, adult learners or incumbent workers. While the typical costs and demands of a university may restrict access to postsecondary completion to many student groups, community colleges help reduce barriers to completion and open the door to life-changing career pathways. In fact, the average Lake Land student who is eligible for PELL and MAP grants can attend Lake Land College for free, with no out-of-pocket costs, and even put money back into their pocket to assist with other expenses such as childcare, food, transportation or housing.

This mission of accessible postsecondary education even extends to high school students in many cases through dual credit courses. These partnerships offer a convenient head-start toward college completion and can help instill confidence for students to continue their education beyond high school. In fact, 73% of dual credit students elect to attend college after graduating from high school, setting themselves up for sustainable futures in high-demand career fields. At Lake Land College, we are excited about our strong relationships with the many high schools throughout our district and the opportunities these partnerships present to expand dual credit enrollment moving forward.

Whether students begin their college journeys as dual credit enrollees, nontraditional adult learners or anything in between, a community college education presents a premium return on investment (ROI). In fact, Illinois community college graduates rapidly recoup their educational expenses with an annual rate of return of approximately 27%. Many also enjoy the advantage of beginning their careers without carrying any student debt. In our case, we are proud to report that just 3.45% of our Lakers took out a loan during the 2022-2023 academic year, ensuring they can stretch their wages further without the weight of student debt.

With these numerous advantages, it’s no wonder why so many students across the nation choose community college as the starting point of their postsecondary journey. In Illinois alone, community colleges account for 65% of all public postsecondary enrollment. On a national level, roughly 35% of all U.S. undergrad students were enrolled in community college in Fall 2021. Collectively, postsecondary students throughout the country earn 2 million associate degrees and career and technical certificates each year, building their skills for sustainable employment and career advancement. As students graduate and grow into our nation’s next leaders and industry professionals, many of them will carry the education and experience of a community college background into these roles.

As you can see, there is ample reason to celebrate the countless accomplishments of our nation’s community colleges. At Lake Land, our belief is that every student should have access to a high-quality education, and we are proud of the work that we are our peers are doing every day to make this mission a reality. I look forward to discussing with you the immeasurable value of community colleges and the role they play in advancing our nation.

For more of my thoughts about a range of innovative topics that impact higher education, our communities and our future, be sure to check out the Laker Advantage Podcast: Insights and Sidebars with Dr. B on Spotify.