Editorial from Lake Land College President Josh Bullock: November 4, 2025

Lake Land College President Josh Bullock. Photo submitted by Lake Land College.

The following is an editorial from Lake Land College President Josh Bullock:

“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.