Lake Land College Survey of Services and Programs Provided for Veterans, Active Duty Military Personnel and Families In Accordance with the Higher Education Veterans Services Act (PA 96-0133) October 2009

Lake Land College appreciates the service of our active-duty and veteran students and seeks to provide the services needed to support these students with their initial transition to college and throughout their enrollment. Following is a summary of services currently available.

  1. Contact information for the coordinator of veterans services:

    Danielle Downs, Advisor
    Financial Aid and Veterans Services
    Student Center Building
    217/234-5255
    ddowns@lakelandcollege.edu
    Please contact Danielle for information regarding military educational benefits, military/other credit evaluation, and the student veterans’ organization.

    Eric Mueller, Counselor/Coordinator of Student Accommodations
    Counseling Services
    Student Center Building
    emueller7412@lakelandcollege.edu
    217/234-5259
    Please contact Eric for information regarding educational accommodations, support related to PTSD and TBI, referral to other college and community resources, and the student veterans’ organization.

  2. Lake Land College identifies veterans and active duty military personnel through our admissions application and financial aid process.

  3. During the 2008-2009 year, Lake Land College served approximately 290 veterans and active duty personnel. We anticipate that this number will increase to 300-350 in the next 3-5 years.

  4. Special services are available to veterans, active duty personnel and their families through the offices of Admissions and Records, Financial Aid and Veterans Services and Counseling Services. Individuals interested in inquiring about services available should contact Danielle Downs or Eric Mueller as indicated above.

  5. During the Fall 2009 semester, a student veterans organization is being established at the college. Advisors for the organization are Danielle Downs and Eric Mueller. Anyone interested in joining or learning more about the organization, should contact Danielle or Eric as indicated above.

  6. Lake Land College Board Policy 07.39 provides that students called to active duty during the semester may request to be withdrawn from the class and receive a 100% refund, try to complete the courses in progress, or request incomplete grades. The most appropriate action will depend on the time during which the student is called to duty. Students called to duty should contact their instructors and the Office of the Dean of Admissions Services at 217/234-5378.

  7. Lake Land College accepts military credit according to the ACE Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services and accepts DANTES credits. Veterans may earn 4 hours of college credit for completing basic training by submitting a DD214 with honorable discharge or other proof of completion of basic training.  Submission of an AARTS transcript will help expedite the evaluation process.

  8. Professional development training related to veterans and active duty personnel is available to Lake Land College staff. Interested staff should contact Eric Mueller, Counselor/Coordinator of Student Accommodations at 217/234-5259.

  9. Student veterans, active duty military personnel and family members may take advantage of all of the support services available to other Lake Land College students. Those services include, but are not limited to: Academic Advising, Career Services, Child Care, Counseling, Financial Aid, Learning Assistance Center/Tutoring, Library, Student Accommodations, and TRIO Student Support Services. Descriptions of the services available and the contact information for each area are provided on the Lake Land College website at www.lakelandcollege.edu/services.

  10. Student veterans, active duty personnel and family members may also take advantage of social events and other activities provided to other Lake Land College students through Student Life. Descriptions of the student life opportunities available and contact information are available on the Lake Land College website at www.lakelandcollege.edu/student_life .

We appreciate the suggestions of student veterans, active duty personnel and family members in making our college more veteran-friendly. Please send your suggestions to Danielle Downs or Eric Mueller as indicated above.