Mission, Vision, and Values

Mercury has a great way of making everyone feel important and valued. She knew that I was disappointed about missing Temple Grandin when she was on campus. Mercury not only made sure I received a copy of her book, she had it autographed for me. Mercury and I don’t work together often, we don’t even work in the same building, but she went above and beyond for me as her colleague. It’s easy to come to work everyday, do your job, and go home, but that’s not who Mercury is. She embodies teamship, and truly cares as much for her colleagues as much she does the students she encounters everyday.

Three Lake Land College employees presented as part of the “Poster Session” where they highlighted the College’s multi-tiered Safe Zone program at the EIU RISE conference. These employees were Kim Hunter, Katie Parrish, and Mercury Bowen. The abstract of the presentation read: “This session provides an overview of a multi-tiered Safe Zone program for faculty, staff, and students that takes into consideration the intersectional identities of rural, economically disadvantaged students, as well as the educational resources needed for trained participants to be successful allies to the LGBTQUIA+ community.” Multiple participants inquired about their project and it was very well received. All three have showed innovation and are positively leaving their mark!

I want to recognize Devon Kroeger, the newest team member in the WIOA department. Devon’s exceptional dedication and initiative truly shone during our recent employer event, Leap Forward with LWIA 23 Business Services Team. Devon, without a doubt, went above and beyond in every aspect of coordinating and organizing the event, all while working with minimal direction from his supervisor. His commitment to excellence was evident from the outset. Devon researched past events, drawing inspiration and valuable insights to ensure the success of our current undertaking. What truly sets Devon apart is his remarkable ability to adapt and learn on the fly. Not only did he quickly familiarize himself with tools like Canva, but he also embraced the challenge of utilizing brand-new recording equipment and navigating the complexities of ordering printed materials from the Print Shop/Store Front. His eagerness to expand his skill set and tackle unfamiliar tasks speaks volumes about his dedication and resilience. EXCELLENCE: Devon’s proactive approach in anticipating needs and addressing potential challenges played a pivotal role in maintaining the integrity of the event, despite the demanding time constraints. His delegation of tasks and seamless collaboration with external partners further underscored his exemplary team spirit and leadership qualities. COMMUNICATION & TEAMSHIP: Devon excelled in communication. His frequent check-ins, prompt responses to inquiries, and willingness to seek assistance whenever needed ensured a smooth and cohesive workflow throughout the entire process. INNOVATION: Devon’s innovative mindset was truly inspiring. From leveraging cutting-edge recording equipment to sourcing engaging presenters, he demonstrated a keen eye for innovation and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Devon’s contributions have not only elevated the success of the employer event but have also set a high standard for teamwork and excellence within our team. Devon’s dedication, initiative, and unwavering commitment to excellence are truly commendable, and I feel incredibly grateful to have him as a valued member of the WIOA team at Lake Land College. Please join me in extending our heartfelt gratitude to Devon for his outstanding efforts and congratulating him on a job exceptionally well done.

Devon is new to our area and his new role as the WIOA Business Service Representative. Devon has been attentive and quick to catch on to all the WIOA piece (and there is alot!). Devon also brings great knowledge and background from his previous role in the admission office. We are happy to have Devon on our team, keep up the great work!

Chris Strohl supports her directors with kindness, enthusiasm, and a fun-loving spirit. She sees their strengths and passions and works carefully to see them fulfill and exceed their duties responsibly. Even when the right decision is difficult to make, she places her staff and the college first to do what is right. She reaches out to other departments and the community to collaborate, thinks of new ways to serve workforce partners, and makes sure everyone is tied together through the college. Thank you for your dedication to all of us.

Chris developed a new idea to incorporate the College’s Growth Tree Graphic into a day-long retreat for employees in her department. I heard from several of her direct reports about how much they enjoyed the retreat and felt very engaged or included in the innovative activity in which they each painted their own portion of a tree (with a bird special to them) and then each of their painted portions came together to form a beautiful tree. Way to go, Chris!

We had a meeting with Emily and requested her to gather a bunch of documents that we needed for some research. She was speedy and concise and always willing to help. I appreciate her!

Emily is quickly learning her new role and has been equally quick to assist others.

Emily has come in as our new Associate Dean. She has demonstrated kindness, work ethics and just an overall team player. She rocks the position. Very happy to have her here.

While our new supervisor, Emily, just started at Vienna Correctional Center she has gone above and beyond speaking with new students, co-workers, and State employees. She has put our students’ education first while communicating to us Instructors that she is always there to help with anything we may need. It’s refreshing to have a good communicator as a supervisor.