Lake Land College Adult Education to host free BNA class Posted on October 26, 2022 Lake Land College Adult Education will be hosting a free basic nursing assistant class in spring 2023 in Marshall. The class is an opportunity for those interested in healthcare professions to begin a career in the field. A mandatory orientation for the class will take place November 14 from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Lake Land College Marshall Eastern Region Center at 224 S. 6th St., Marshall, Illinois 62441. Adult Education provides students with a variety of services including high school equivalency preparation classes, résumé building and related workforce readiness programming at no cost. English Language Acquisition, Food Service Sanitation and Integrated Career and Academic Preparation System courses are also offered via Lake Land College Adult Education. WIOA provides activities that increase employment, retention, earnings, and skills in the American workforce. C.E.F.S. is part of the 14-county Illinois Local Workforce Development Area #23 which receives its funding from the US Department of Labor through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Lake Land College. WIOA provides guidance with job readiness, job search, work based learning, and classroom training needed to secure and retain employment and become self-sufficient. For more information, visit lakelandcollege.edu/adult-education or contact Adult Education at 217-238-8292 or adulteducation@lakelandcollege.edu. To stay up to date on news and opportunities, follow Lake Land College Adult Education on Facebook and Instagram. -30-
Lake Land College Adult Education to offer free welding classes Posted on October 25, 2022 Lake Land College Adult Education will be offering free welding classes beginning November 14. Those interested can attend orientation at the Lake Land College Marshall Eastern Region Center, 224 S. 6th St., Marshall, Illinois 62441, on November 14 at 4 p.m. There will also be a welding orientation at Shelbyville High School, 1001 W. North 6th St., Shelbyville, Illinois 62565, on November 15 at 4 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to enter through the shop entrance. Participants will learn basic welding techniques, such as stick welding, metal inert gas (MIG) welding and tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding as well as metal fabrication and other skills. Upon completion of the program, students will earn a Basic Welding Certificate through the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) as well as 11 credit hours with Lake Land College. As well as encouraging students to earn a GED and offering résumé assistance and other resources, Lake Land College Adult Education also partners with local businesses for facility tours to give students the chance to see employers and how their businesses operate. “We have seen a lot of success with this program,” Adult Education Advisor Kyle Sims said. “We have had a lot of people who complete it go right into the field afterwards.” WIOA provides activities that increase employment, retention, earnings, and skills in the American workforce. C.E.F.S. is part of the fourteen-county Illinois Local Workforce Development Area #23 which receives its funding from the US Department of Labor through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Lake Land College. WIOA provides guidance with job readiness, job search, work based learning, and classroom training needed to secure and retain employment and become self-sufficient. For more information on the classes or qualifications, contact Lake Land College Adult Education at adulteducation@lakelandcollege.com or 217-238-8292 or find them on Facebook and Instagram at Lake Land College Adult Education. -30-
Lake Land College hosts Kubota partnership ribbon-cutting event Posted on October 7, 2022 To celebrate Lake Land College’s new partnership with Kubota, representatives from both places participated in a ribbon-cutting event Tuesday, Oct. 4. Pictured are Manager of Educational Partnerships for Kubota Jeff Wagley, Vice President for Business Services Greg Nuxoll, Ag Power Technology Instructor Woody Reinhart, Kubota Corporate Leadership Midwest Division Matt Dugan, Division Chair Agriculture/Agriculture Instructor Ryan Orrick, Vice President for Academic Services Ike Nwosu and Lake Land College President Josh Bullock. Students in the Diesel & Ag Power program at Lake Land College now have the option to earn up to eight Kubota Tech Certifications via Kubota equipment and principles incorporated into the existing Diesel & Ag Power courses. “Kubota is really excited to partner with Lake Land College and serve the dealers in our region,” Jeff Wagley, manager of educational partnerships for Kubota, said. “This is something that has been in the works for close to 15 months, so today is the day we stick the flag in the ground and say Kubota Tech is part of the Lake Land College Diesel & Ag Power program.” As participants in the program, students will train on a range of diesel and ag power equipment brands, including Kubota, to develop the skills and techniques they will need to provide multifaceted employment opportunities to employers such as Kubota. After students have completed the courses, they can earn stackable certifications through the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) testing, leading to up to eight Kubota Tech credentials. NC3 is a value-driven organization and the future model for Career and Technical Education, creating highly-skilled, job-ready professionals through a growing network of educational partners and global industry leaders. Through Kubota, technicians will have the opportunity to work with sponsoring dealerships and participate in internship programs. Technicians working at a Kubota dealership are provided guidance from experienced Kubota Technicians learning how to repair equipment correctly and efficiently. Graduates of the program will also have the opportunity for careers as Kubota Technicians in dealerships around the country. The program provides job placement, excellent earning potential, great benefits and the opportunity to work as a Kubota Technician. Graduates will be using their newly acquired knowledge and skills to provide Kubota dealers and Kubota customers value. The Kubota Tech program empowers Technicians to be the best in the industry. For more information on the Diesel & Ag Power program at Lake Land College, visit lakelandcollege.edu/guided-pathways and click “Agriculture” or contact Woody Reinhart at areinhart69182@lakelandcollege.edu or 217-234-5307. -30-
Lake Land College offers Laker+ financial aid program for students who qualify via FAFSA Posted on October 3, 2022 Lake Land College students can now complete a FAFSA to find out if they qualify for the Laker+ financial aid program. With the Laker+ program, students who qualify for financial assistance often receive more than enough to cover tuition and fees, so the remaining money is refunded to the student. The Lake Land College Laker+ program maximizes qualifying students’ financial aid opportunities to cover tuition and fees plus provides support for living expenses. This program is effective now and will be available to those applying for the following semesters. Students can complete the 22-23 FAFSA, using 2020 tax information, for the Fall 2022, Spring 2023 and Summer 2023 semesters. Students can complete the 23-24 FAFSA, using 2021 tax information, for the Fall 2023, Spring 2024 and Summer 2024 semesters. Because Lake Land College is such a great value and can offer numerous financial assistance options, students often receive refunds of their assistance that can be used to cover housing, gas, food and other college expenses. With Laker+, financial aid is applied in a stackable format. After the cost of tuition and fees are covered with financial assistance, the remaining funds are refunded to students. Students who receive aid have their tuition and fees covered first with the MAP grant, institutional funds and scholarships, then the federal PELL grant. What this means for students who have 0 expected family contributions (EFC) as determined by the FAFSA, is that they often will receive a refund check or direct deposit of funds that can be used to cover every day living expenses such as housing, food, gas and childcare. “At Lake Land College, we have several initiatives in place that can assist students with tuition and fee costs and allow them greater opportunities to focus on their educational goals. In many cases, this provides students with the opportunity to graduate debt-free and launch a career without the burden of student loan payments. Students who seek to transfer can often minimize the need for student loans,” Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said. Laker+ is available to those who live in the college district in the counties of Christian, Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Montgomery, Moultrie and Shelby. Current and future students can begin the Laker+ process by completing the FAFSA online at fafsa.gov. The Lake Land College School Code is 007644. The differences between Laker+ and other college and university programs is two-fold. First, Lake Land College’s tuition and fees are one third less than the average Illinois public university tuition and fees, and significantly less than most private institutions. Second, when students apply scholarships and financial aid to Lake Land’s tuition and fees–there is money left over for students to cover everyday living expenses such as housing, food, gas and childcare. With the typical college or university “last to pay” tuition and fee incentive program, the college or university only pays the outstanding balance in tuition and fees after all financial aid and scholarships are awarded—leaving no money for the student to cover everyday living expenses. “We want students and families to see that there is a path for them to receive an outstanding education without incurring significant and life-altering debt. Students who are new to college do not always realize there are more expenses than just tuition and fees even when students live at home. The Laker+ program provides financial resources to help students meet their additional college costs and everyday living expenses,” Lake Land College Director of Financial Aid and Veteran Services Jennifer Hedges said. With the Laker+ program, Lake Land College offers students support in earning an education at one of the top community colleges in the nation. This education provides an excellent foundation for a career in the workforce or transfer to a university. “Students who are considering different options should consider the fact that any financial aid or scholarships that they receive will go quite a bit farther at Lake Land College—even when a college or university offers students ‘last to pay’ tuition and fee incentives,” Bullock added. A PELL grant is a federal grant program available to college students who qualify as determined by the FAFSA. PELL grants do not have to be repaid and are dependent on a student’s EFC or expected family income vs. the cost of tuition at the college the student is attending. A student who qualifies for a PELL grant will receive the same dollar amount no matter what college the student attends. In the first example, a student who has a 0 EFC as determined by the FAFSA and receives the same number of scholarships, along with the same PELL grant and MAP grant. The student who attends a four-year college will have $0 in his/her pocket after the college makes up the difference in tuition and fees. The student who attends Lake Land College will have a refund of $7,035 for college expenses. In the second example, an in-district high school senior student who is in the top 15% of the graduating class, or earns a 26 on the ACT or a 1230 on the SAT, is guaranteed a Presidential Scholarship covering two years of tuition. This scholarship would be applied first to cover tuition expenses, while financial aid or other scholarships would cover fees with the student receiving the remaining financial aid or scholarships in the form of a refund to cover living expenses. The Lake Land College district consists of the following school districts: Altamont, Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond, Beecher City, Brownstown, Casey-Westfield, Charleston, Cowden-Herrick, Cumberland, Dieterich, Effingham, Jasper, Kansas, Marshall, Martinsville, Mattoon, Neoga, North Clay, Oakland, Okaw Valley, Pana, Paris, Ramsey, Shelbyville, Shiloh, South Central, St. Anthony, St. Elmo, Stewardson-Strasburg, Sullivan, Teutopolis, Windsor. -30-
Adult Education Programs Provide Economic Opportunity at Lake Land College Posted on September 20, 2022 National Adult Education and Literacy Week is September 18-24 National Adult Education and Literacy Week, September 18–24, underscores the continued demand for programs and services for adult students who need to improve basic skills in reading, writing, and math and obtain a high school equivalency certificate. More than 36 million adults nationwide, including 1.2 million here in Illinois, lack basic literacy skills that limit their ability to advance in education and at work. Lake Land College is one of 72 adult education providers offering programs funded through the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) that improve and expand the nation’s available pipeline of workers by assisting those who lack the educational requirements to achieve gainful employment in today’s increasingly high-tech, global job market. “We are proud to offer these opportunities and pathways to success to our students,” Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said. “It is a great feeling to know we can help serve our communities by not only providing valuable skills and resources to help students develop careers, but to assist local businesses by providing the training their skilled workers need to succeed.” Adult education provides a path from low-income jobs and limited opportunities to middle-class wages and increased family sustainability. Full-time workers with a high school diploma earn almost $10,000 more per year than those without a diploma. Adult Education at Lake Land College provides a variety of services to empower adult learners by providing opportunities to gain valuable literacy, employment, and college-ready skills necessary to move forward in life. Adult Education offers free GED preparation courses for those 17 years and older. GED classes are located in Mattoon, Effingham, Pana, Marshall, Charleston, Paris, Arthur, Sullivan and Shelbyville. Adult Education also offers evidence based reading instruction (EBRI) classes for readers with low skill levels and English language acquisition classes (formerly ESL) at multiple sites throughout the district. As a community service, free food service sanitation certification courses ($36 test fee) are offered in rotating locations throughout the year. The Lake Land College Adult Education program offers two Integrated Career and Academic Preparation System (ICAPS) programs leading to certificates in welding or basic nursing assisting (BNA). All ICAPS programs are free of charge, but students must meet eligibility criteria and class space is limited. ICAPS class locations also rotate throughout the district to provide accessibility to students living in various communities. During the 2022 academic year, Lake Land College’s Adult Education program served 211 GED and 32 ESL students. At the May 17, 2022 graduation ceremony, Lake Land College celebrated 38 GED graduates. “Illinois community colleges are the driver for a trained workforce working with nearly 10,000 unique employers across the state. With nearly 90 percent of the fastest growing jobs in our state requiring education beyond a high school diploma, the Illinois Community College System is the ideal place for getting on a path to a good paying career,” said ICCB Executive Director Brian Durham. In recognition of National Adult Education and Literacy Week, Lake Land College would like to recognize the accomplishments of many of our Adult Education graduates. Several GED graduates are continuing to earn a college degree on scholarships. Felicia Depoister and Jesse Stevenson are attending Lake Land College this fall, and they were awarded the Diane Siemer Scholarship. Connie Grogg, Isabella Eggers, and Memphis Monroe received GED scholarships and are attending this fall as well. For more information about adult education programs and services at Lake Land College, visit lakelandcollege.edu/adult-education or call 217-238-8292. For information on adult education throughout Illinois, visit yourpathyourfuture.org. ###
Lake Land College to host open house to celebrate new partnership with Kubota Posted on September 13, 2022 Students in the Diesel & Ag Power program at Lake Land College now have the option to earn up to eight Kubota Tech Certifications via Kubota equipment and principles seamlessly woven into the existing Diesel & Ag Power courses. To celebrate this partnership, Lake Land College will be hosting a Kubota Tech Open House on Tuesday, October 4 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in West Building, room 123. Those interested in attending can either sign up at lakelandcollege.edu/visit or contact Division Chair Agriculture/Agriculture Instructor Ryan Orrick at 217-234-5208 or sorrick@lakelandcollege.edu. “We are absolutely thrilled to be able to offer this partnership to our students,” Orrick said. “This is an excellent way to broaden our students’ skillsets and provide a direct pathway to certification and career opportunities.” As participants in the program, students will train on a range of diesel and ag power equipment brands, including Kubota, to develop the skills and techniques they will need to provide multifaceted employment opportunities to employers such as Kubota. After students have completed the courses, they can earn stackable certifications through the National Coalition of Certification Centers (NC3) testing, leading to up to eight Kubota Tech credentials. NC3 is a value-driven organization and the future model for Career and Technical Education, creating highly-skilled, job-ready professionals through a growing network of educational partners and global industry leaders. Through Kubota, technicians will have the opportunity to work with sponsoring dealerships and participate in internship programs. Technicians working at a Kubota dealership are provided guidance from experienced Kubota Technicians learning how to repair equipment correctly and efficiently. Graduates of the program will also have the opportunity for careers as Kubota Technicians in dealerships around the country. The program provides job placement, excellent earning potential, great benefits and the opportunity to work as a Kubota Technician. Graduates will be using their newly acquired knowledge and skills to provide Kubota dealers and Kubota customers value. The Kubota Tech program empowers Technicians to be the best in the industry. -30-
Lake Land College unveils new Retiree Wall of Fame Posted on September 12, 2022 Lake Land College unveiled the new Retiree Wall of Fame display located in the Luther Student Center at the Mattoon campus at an event Monday. Pictured are recent Retiree Wall of Fame inductees Ken Beno, Wally Taylor, Linda Von Behren and Joyce Allen. The Retiree Wall of Fame was created in 2008 to recognize the outstanding achievements of past Lake Land College faculty and staff who created the student-first principles college employees live by today. Since 2008, the college completed the long-awaited renovation of the Luther Student Center to create a welcoming, one-stop center for students. “As part of that renovation, the college had the opportunity to develop a contemporary and prestigious Retiree Wall of Fame display that truly reflected the forward-thinking mindset of the many retirees honored throughout the years,” Lake Land College President Josh Bullock said. The college’s goal was to create a statement piece that could be easily updated each year with new inductees and one that would fit in with the progressive look and feel of the Luther Student Center. For more than two years the pandemic limited the college’s ability to host events, thus this event was one of the first opportunities the Lake Land College Board of Trustees, faculty and staff had to gather in recognition of retirees. For this reason, those celebrated at the event included inductees from 2020, 2021 and 2022. The 2020 Lake Land College Retiree Wall of Fame inductees include: Sandy Gourley Gourley joined Lake Land College in 1984 as a Cosmetology Instructor. Within seven years, she took on the role of health education instructor/human services instructor. Gourley was the driving force behind as well as the author of the entire core curriculum for the human services program. She later went on to serve as the division chair for Social Science and Education for 10 years. Linda Ruholl Ruholl served for 17 years as a nursing faculty member. She was a part of the implementation of the televised teaching at the Kluthe Center and Paris extension center. She later wrote about the teaching experience and was published in the Australian Electronic Journal of Nursing Education. Additionally, she wrote a book about her time as a faculty member at Lake Land College titled “Nursing at Lake Land College 1987-2008.” Wallace (Wally) Taylor Taylor was among the first group of faculty members hired in 1967. In 1973, he was selected as an Outstanding Educator of America by the Outstanding Educators of America of Washington DC. Wally served as the Division Chair of English for almost 20 years. The 2021 Lake Land College Retiree Wall of Fame inductees include: Pam Crisman Crisman led the public relations and development office for nearly 30 years, serving six presidents during her tenure. She received numerous awards for her public relations work during her tenure. Under her leadership as the Vice President for Development, Alumni Park was constructed, Foundation assets grew from $1 million to $8 million and she was instrumental in stewarding the Foundation’s largest gift to date. Joyce Allen Allen was the first Lake Land College psychology instructor and was one of the few original female faculty members. She served as Interim Dean of Instruction and accompanied Wall of Famers Chuck Womack and Dennis Gathmann on study abroad trips to Europe and Hawaii. Joyce had a lasting impact on student learning as one of the first to implement and advocate for learning objectives. Ken Beno Beno served as the WLKL Station Manager, Radio TV Broadcasting Instructor and Division Chair of Humanities. He created the WLKL FM Radio Station and the college’s leading-edge distance learning program. Both initiatives greatly expanded access to higher education and professional experiences for students. He also developed a Radio/TV sales course that prepares students to earn a nationally-recognized certification through the Radio Advertising Bureau. The 2022 Lake Land College Retiree Wall of Fame inductees include: Linda Von Behren As the Dean of Admission Services and then Associate Vice President for Workforce Development, Von Behren led the implementation of technological advancements such as the electronic record system, the first online Intent to Enroll and the first online registration system. She worked with faculty and staff to grow the college’s service to students and communities, as well as implement several innovations in the Center for Business & Industry. Donna Sherman Sherman was awarded this honor posthumously. However the presentation recognized the positive impact Sherman had on Lake Land College during her 50 years of employment. She started as a secretary and retired as Director of the Bookstore. Like many retirees, just six months after retiring, Donna returned to work part-time in Admissions. Sherman also typed the first Lake Land College catalog. She ran the bookstore and central receiving as well as working closely with Dr. Luther to furnish and color match each building. The Lake Land College Board of Trustees, faculty and staff congratulate all of the Retiree Wall of Fame honorees for their active roles in the community and dedication to the legacy of Lake Land College. To view the new Lake Land College Retiree Wall of Fame in person, visit the Luther Student Center on the college’s main campus in Mattoon. -30-
Lake Land College to host Health & Public Services Open House Posted on September 8, 2022 Lake Land College will be hosting a Health & Public Services Open House on Tuesday, October 4 from 6-8 p.m. The event will begin at the Theatre in the Luther Student Center on campus in Mattoon. All those interested in a high-demand and rewarding healthcare career are invited to attend and learn about the college’s outstanding programs which include: Basic Nursing Assistant (CNA), Dental Hygiene, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Nursing, Massage Therapy, Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) and Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA). “We are honored to be offering high school students, their parents, alumni, high school guidance counselors and community members an opportunity to learn why Lake Land College is the best choice for achieving your educational and professional goals. Attendees can meet with faculty, advisors and student support staff to tour our state-of-the-art facilities and learn more about the many exciting career options in the healthcare field,” Allied Health Division Chair Erin Swingler said. Attendees can also enjoy ice cream while taking advantage of the networking opportunity with other attendees and presenters and will be eligible for door prizes at the end of the evening. For more information or to register for the event, visit lakelandcollege.edu/visit. -30-
Lake Land College Foundation to host Golf Classic Posted on August 29, 2022 The Lake Land College Foundation will host its annual Golf Classic on Friday, September 30, at the Mattoon Golf & Country Club. The golf outing will be played in the popular four-man scramble format with registration and lunch for golfers beginning at 11 a.m. with a shotgun start at noon. Golfers can register as a team of four or individually. Individual players are encouraged to sign up, as all players will be placed on a team. Entries for Friday’s outing are limited to the first 144 golfers. The entry fee is $125 per golfer or $500 per team of four. Lunch, 18-holes, cart and refreshments are included. All proceeds assist the Lake Land College Foundation in building relationships that will support and enhance the educational opportunities and services to students through financial support from alumni and friends. The outing is made possible by the support of the event’s sponsors. Confirmed sponsors at this time are Veregy, Effingham Asphalt Co., Scott State Bank, Planning Design Studio, The First National Bank, North American Lighting, Country Financial –Donsbach/Meinhart, Washington Savings Bank, Robbins Schwartz, Grunloh Construction, Consolidated Communications, Pilson’s Auto, IBEW #146, J&J Ventures, Rural King, Adams Memorials, Bolin Fuel.Oil.Propane, Steve & Debbie Benefiel, Mark & Julie Knodle, Prudential and Agracel, Inc. Teams or individuals can sign up through the Lake Land College Foundation at lakelandcollege.edu/foundation/golf or by contacting 217-234-5376 or atucker1563@lakelandcollege.edu. All mail entries should be sent to Lake Land College Foundation, 5001 Lake Land Blvd., Mattoon, IL 61938. -30-
Lake Land College instructor releases OER textbook Posted on August 22, 2022 Lake Land College math instructor Sarah Harley recently released an open educational resource (OER) math textbook called “Math in General Education.” Harley teaches general education math, and she said she noticed a need in this area and compiled an updated resource for her students. “We had been using the same textbook for several years and it was time for an update,” Harley said. “Many times when math textbooks are updated, the changes are more cosmetic than beneficial to the content. I knew there were tons of free online resources, so I started to collect the information my students would need into one resource.” Harley’s textbook will allow a great deal of flexibility for her students, who will no longer need to bring a physical textbook to class and can access the textbook content from many different devices, including smartphones, tablets and laptops. “For the most part, students usually only use the textbook for homework problems,” Harley said. “This makes is very easy for students to just print and bring their homework to class, versus only using a few pages out of an often expensive physical book.” Harley said adapting this resource is just one of the many things she does to make her material relatable to her students. “I have heard from numerous students at the end of my classes saying that I have helped them overcome their struggles with math or that I have made it easier for them to understand some of the concepts.” Not only does Harley teach financial math, which helps students develop valuable skills and knowledge they can apply in many areas of their lives, Harley also focuses on real-life applications of math concepts. “One project I do that is always a lot of fun has to do with conversion,” Harley said. “We look at how much time is spent doing something per day, then convert that to how much time we spend in a lifetime doing that thing. For example, we could look at how much screen time someone spends during a day, then convert that to how many years that equals in a lifetime.” Harley said she feels that the accessibility of the OER textbook will fit well with her teaching style and will help her students succeed. For more information on math at Lake Land College, visit lakelandcollege.edu/guided-pathways. -30-