Across Illinois, community colleges are providing high school students with a faster, more affordable pathway to college degrees through dual credit programs. By allowing students to take courses that count for both high school and college credit, these programs help families save on tuition costs and reduce the time students need to earn a degree.
In Fiscal Year 2023, more than 82,000 Illinois high school students enrolled in dual credit courses through local community colleges, which accounts for 97% of all dual credit enrollment in the state, according to a report from the University of Illinois. Illinois’s 48 community colleges have been instrumental in dual credit instruction, offering a range of courses that prepare students for college and career pathways.
Lake Land College is one of the state’s leaders in dual credit, serving students across 34 school districts and enrolling over 1,400 dual credit students in FY 2023. For Fall 2024 alone, the College has already reached an enrollment headcount of 1,165 dual credit students. Through Lake Land’s program, students can choose from general education courses offered at their high schools, such as math, science, and English, or Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses that provide hands-on learning with advanced technology at Lake Land’s campuses.
Partnerships with community organizations have also enhanced Lake Land’s dual credit opportunities. The College collaborates with Leaders Innovating for Tomorrow (LIFT) in Mattoon to broaden dual credit access and supports free tuition for students in the Effingham Regional Career Academy (ERCA). By 2025, Lake Land’s newly-acquired Effingham Technology Center will house ERCA’s operations, expanding dual credit opportunities alongside Lake Land’s existing programs at the Kluthe Center for Higher Education and Technology.
To guide students through their dual credit experience, Lake Land introduced the Laker Connect Counselor in 2024. This role offers individualized support, helping students explore career options, navigate college transfers, and find financial resources. Students and families interested in meeting Laker Connect Counselor Kellie Niemerg can contact her at 217-234-5473 or kkeck16009@lakelandcollege.edu.
Dual credit programs benefit students and communities alike. Students save on tuition and build early momentum for college, while local communities gain from a workforce that’s better prepared to meet industry needs. Lake Land College’s Director of Dual Credit, Tessa Wiles, noted that dual credit programs foster a generation of workforce-ready individuals, building a bridge from high school to college and career pathways.
For more information about dual credit opportunities at Lake Land College, contact Tessa Wiles at 217-234-5044 or twiles@lakelandcollege.edu.
