Lake Michigan College is located in southwestern Michigan, approximately 90 minutes from Chicago and 40 minutes from South Bend, Indiana. Situated on the Lake Michigan shoreline, the College’s 580-square-mile district includes all of Berrien County as well as Covert Township and the South Haven school district in Van Buren County.

The College’s four campus locations serve 170,000 residents with unique degree and credential offerings, online courses, and a reputation for quality instruction. The College offers more than 100 certificate and degree programs certificates. The College serves nearly 7,000 students annually, drawing students from seven surrounding counties in Michigan and Indiana. It has achieved record setting enrollments over the past five years, including, in 2013, the largest graduating class in the College’s 67-year history. The student body is a diverse mix of traditional-aged and adult students, international students, military veterans, and an ethnic blend that matches the overall demographic profile of the College’s district. Students have access to a wide range of support services, student life activities, and intercollegiate athletics that contribute to a well-rounded higher education experience.

A commitment to student success, ongoing assessment, and fulfillment of the region’s training and education needs is central to the College’s progressive approach to program development and facility planning. Recent examples include expansion of health care career program offerings into the new Healthcare Education Institute; introduction of an energy production technology program culminating in a baccalaureate degree in energy production; and a five-year project, funded in part by a $2 million Title III grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Education, to redesign all science curriculum and renovate classroom space on two campuses. Finally, as one of the first “Achieve the Dream” Colleges in the country, the College uses data extensively to monitor and report on student success and institutional achievements.

New initiatives on the horizon include the addition of on-campus student housing scheduled to open in fall 2014. The dorms, located on the Napier Avenue Campus, will attract even more students from an even greater radius. The College will also soon be one of the first community colleges in Michigan to offer a baccalaureate degree program thanks to recent State legislation that opens up this opportunity to better serve residents.

The College has developed on-campus partnerships with Michigan State University, Western Michigan University, and Siena Heights University to increase access to higher education within the region. These partnerships provide local, specialized training in agriculture as well as bachelor’s and master’s degrees in a variety of majors.

In addition to programmatic offerings, the Lake Michigan College Mendel Center for Arts & Technology is located on the College’s main campus in Benton Township. The Mendel Center is a 190,000-square-foot conference and performing arts center that attracts more than 100,000 visitors annually through conferences, meetings, and events, as well as through national and international touring entertainment in the 1,517-seat Mainstage theater.

Through flexible, responsive management, Lake Michigan College is a relevant part of the success and future economic development of the southwest corner of Michigan. By being alert to the changing needs of local businesses, industries, and students, the College is a key player in the growth of the region while helping students prepare for fulfilling, productive careers.

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