Published on November 14, 2025

On Thursday, Nov. 13, Lake Land College held the Non-traditional Student of the Year banquet, an annual event to celebrate the inspiring achievements of students age 25 and older who are pursuing their dreams at Lake Land College.

During the ceremony, Jasmine Gast, Charleston, was named the 2025 Lake Land College Non-traditional Student of the Year.

Gast was nominated for the honor alongside 10 fellow non-traditional students, all of whom have demonstrated tremendous resilience and strength as they pursue their educational goals. The nominees for 2025 Non-traditional Student of the Year Award were: Abby Eastin, Marshall; Darrius Frazier, Charleston; Sarah Housh, Charleston; Kirstin Lindsey, Effingham; Jennifer May, Charleston; Brandon Miller, Casey; Jaylynn Parker, Effingham; Christa Smith, Montezuma, Ind.; Eric Stanley, Charleston; and James Watkins, Edgewood.

“We are so proud of this special group of students, and it is our honor to recognize them for their outstanding accomplishments,” said Kelly Allee, Director of Marketing and Public Relations. “With their warm smiles, positive attitudes and bright personalities, you’d never guess how much they have overcome to be here. Their dedication is a reminder of the power of education, and their perseverance is an inspiration to us all. Truly, each and every one of them exemplifies what it means to be a Laker.”

Jasmine Gast

The 2025 Non-traditional Student of the Year Award recipient, Jasmine Gast, is a non-traditional student from Charleston who has overcome past struggles with addiction to pursue her goals in Lake Land’s Practical Nursing program. Jasmine is an active member of the Lake Land community, having served as a student ambassador, a member of the Student Government Association and a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society. She balances her education with her devotion to her two young children, making sacrifices to create a better future for her family. Jasmine also is committed to serving her community, regularly volunteering at her church and through nonprofits to support homeless shelters, correction facilities, libraries, community education and more.

Gast was nominated by Director of Student Life Lisa Shumard-Shelton, Interim Director of TRIO Programs Faisal Tariq, Health and Physical Education Instructor Madison Dailey and Coordinator for Student Communications & Initiatives Peighton Hinote. In the nomination form, Shumard-Shelton said of Gast, “Her perseverance and sense of purpose truly exemplify what it means to be dedicated to one’s education.” Tariq said, “Jasmine has shown her commitment to her education through her relentless dedication to perform at a high level in all of her classes.” Hinote said, “I am proud of Jasmine’s dedication to her studies and self-improvement,” while Dailey described her as someone whose “outstanding attributes suggest she has the potential to make a meaningful difference beyond the classroom.”

The additional 10 nominees for the Non-traditional Student of the Year Award were also recognized during the ceremony for their accomplishments:

Abby Eastin

Abby Eastin is a non-traditional student from Marshall. As a wife, mother and a student in Lake Land’s Physical Therapist Assistant program, Abby balances many responsibilities to pursue an education. She actively engages in class discussions, posing thought-provoking questions to deepen her understanding and help other students around her. She creates a welcoming and inclusive learning environment and is always willing to help her classmates with challenging material.

Eastin was nominated by Physical Therapist Assistant Instructor Jessie Palmer. In the nomination form, Palmer said, “With her kindness, motivation and deep compassion, Abby will become a wonderful physical therapist assistant who will make a meaningful impact on her patients and the community. I am proud to have her as a student in my classroom.”

Darrius Frazier

Darrius Frazier is a non-traditional student from Charleston who has overcome struggles related to autism to succeed at Lake Land. He is an active member of the Lake Land community and is always willing to learn new things. On campus, he is involved in many student clubs and the Navigator newspaper, and in his community, he serves his church and is a member of the Autism Society of America as well as the Learning Disabilities Association of America.

Frazier was nominated by Greg Powers, Speech Communication/Broadcasting Instructor/Director of Broadcast Operations, and Mike Rudibaugh, Division Chair of Math & Science/Geography/Earth Science Instructor. In the nomination form, Powers described Frazier as someone who is “committed to becoming a better student, person and broadcaster through his efforts in and out of the classroom.” Rudibaugh said of Frazier, “He really embraces the community college spirit and heart related to lifetime learning.”

Sarah Housh

Sarah Housh is a non-traditional student from Charleston. After dropping out of high school at a young age, Sarah earned her GED and is now advancing her education at Lake Land College. She has overcome severe mental health barriers to accomplish her goals and is now thriving as the president of Phi Theta Kappa, Lake Land’s honor society. She also helps other students as a math tutor, a lab assistant and a composition classroom assistant, all while balancing her education with multiple jobs and extensive volunteer work.

Housh was nominated by Casey Reynolds, Spanish/English Instructor/Faculty Honors Experience Advisor & PTK, and Sarah Harley, Mathematics Instructor. In the nomination form, Reynolds said, “Sarah has earned her spot on the wall of fame by being one of the hardest-working students who have walked these halls.” Harley described Sarah as “a dedicated student whose excellent attendance, punctuality and study skills reflect her strong commitment to education.”

Kirstin Lindsey

Kirstin Lindsey is a non-traditional student from Effingham who is studying to earn a degree in early childhood education. A mom of three young boys, Kirstin balances her education with a full-time job and her unwavering devotion to her family. At Lake Land, she is an honors student and a leader in the classroom, often helping other students with assignments and serving as a role model.

Lindsey was nominated by Shumard-Shelton and Early Childhood Education Instructor Tanille Ulm. In the nomination form, Shumard-Shelton described Kirstin as “an outstanding example of perseverance, dedication and leadership.” Ulm said of Kirstin, “I’m proud of how she shows up, gives 100% effort to her college career and is an honors student. She will go on to be an amazing teacher and go far in life due to her dedication.”

Jennifer May

Jennifer May is a non-traditional student from Charleston. With deep roots in Coles County, she is pursuing a degree in Human Services to serve her community as a substance abuse counselor. In addition to her studies, Jennifer provides for her children and serves as a shining example of leadership and dedication.

May was nominated by Health and Physical Education Instructor Madison Dailey. In the nomination form, Dailey said, “Jenny has patience, understanding and approachable-ness that all leaders should possess. She has shown her children that you can balance life, family and a meaningful career with grace.”

Brandon Miller

Brandon Miller is a non-traditional student from Casey. A military veteran, Brandon demonstrates a remarkable work ethic and is always eager to learn new skills as a student in the Building Construction Technology program. He’s the first to jump in to any hands-on activity, and he often serves as a leader in group work to help other students who may be struggling.

Miller was nominated by Building Construction Technology Instructor/Coordinator Kurt Hoene. In the nomination form, Hoene said, “Brandon is a blessing to have in class every day. His work ethic is a great example for the younger students to follow, and the way he communicates with me and other students is such a great blessing to see.”

Jaylynn Parker

Jaylynn Parker is a non-traditional student from Effingham. After leaving high school years ago, Jaylynn has dreamt of earning her GED and pursuing a medical career. In April 2025, she accomplished the first part of her goal by completing her GED, and she is now enrolled in Lake Land’s Basic Nursing Assistant program. Jaylynn has refused to allow hardship to define her, making courageous decisions to seek stability, complete her education and work toward a better future.

Parker was nominated by Adult Transition Coordinator Mariah White-Landrus. In the nomination, White-Landrus described Parker as “an example to others that even in the face of great adversity, it is still possible to keep moving forward in life and achieve goals you have set for yourself.”

Christa Smith

Christa Smith is a non-traditional student from Montezuma, Indiana, who is studying dental hygiene. A bright and resourceful student, Christa faces potential barriers head-on. She demonstrates an incredible focus for excelling in her classes and always maintains a cheerful personality.

Smith was nominated by Perkins Specialist Joy Kaurin. In the nomination form, Kaurin said, “Christa’s positive attitude makes her an absolute delight to have on campus. The future opportunities to help and serve others in her chosen career path are limitless.”

Eric Stanley

Eric Stanley is a non-traditional student from Charleston. By coming to Lake Land to study bioscience, Eric has worked hard to earn his education and has flourished both in the classroom and beyond. He gives his best in everything he does and has surprised even himself with many of his accomplishments, such as serving as a president or officer for multiple clubs, participating in a marketing video and speaking on a student panel, nominator Mercury Bowen, Coordinator for Student Development, said.

In the nomination form, Bowen said, “Eric makes the world around him a better place just because he’s in it. The kind of compassion, supportiveness and willingness to go out of his way to excel as well as to help others is truly an incredible gift he bestows on the world.”

James Watkins

James Watkins is a non-traditional student from Edgewood. After previously putting his goals of attending medical school on hold to focus on raising his children, he now studies in Lake Land’s Practical Nursing program, balancing his education with his work and family commitments. James demonstrates thoughtfulness and critical thinking in class, participating in class discussions and clinical activities and consistently earning high scores on exams. He is a leader beyond the classroom, organizing study groups and building up his peers however he can.

Watkins was nominated by Nursing Instructor Nichole Jones. In the nomination form, Jones said, “James is an outgoing, focused, helpful, kind and motivated student who has overcome so much to get to this point.”

The Non-traditional Student of the Year ceremony is a new tradition at Lake Land College and is held every November in honor of National Non-traditional Student Week. Each year, Lake Land faculty and staff nominate students for consideration, and a designated committee reviews all nominations to select the award recipient.