Lake Land College Board Accepts Over $284,000 in STEM and Agriculture Grants

Spread the love

Lake Land College Board of Trustees Meeting | October 13, 2025

Article Summary: The Lake Land College Board of Trustees on Monday, October 13, 2025, formally accepted two grants totaling more than $284,000 to bolster support for students in science and technology fields and to address a statewide shortage of agriculture teachers.

Grant Funding Key Points:

  • TRIO STEM Grant: A five-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education, with a first-year award of $272,346, to support 120 low-income, first-generation, or disabled students pursuing STEM majors.

  • GAST Grant: A $12,500 grant from the Illinois State Board of Education for the Growing Agricultural Science Teachers program to recruit and retain agricultural education teachers.

  • Board Action: The board voted unanimously to accept both grants.

MATTOON, IL – Lake Land College is set to enhance its programs for students in STEM and agriculture after the Board of Trustees on Monday, October 13, 2025, accepted a major federal grant and a state-level grant aimed at teacher recruitment.

The board approved a five-year TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The first-year award for the grant is $272,346. According to college officials, this is the first time Lake Land has received a TRIO SSS STEM grant, which is designed to increase retention and graduation rates for students traditionally underrepresented in higher education. The funds will be used to serve an additional 120 students who are low-income, first-generation, or disabled and are pursuing majors in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or health sciences.

Additionally, the board accepted a $12,500 Growing Agricultural Science Teachers (GAST) grant from the Illinois State Board of Education. Received by the Agriculture Division, the grant aims to recruit, develop, and retain agricultural education teachers to address a shortage in the field across Illinois and the nation. The funds will provide stipends and tuition waivers for students in mentoring and internship programs.

Both grants were accepted unanimously by the board.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Casey Westfield Warriors logo graphic.2

Fast start, defensive intensity carry Casey-Westfield past Red Hill

A dominant first quarter and a standout performance from senior Lucy Moore propelled the Casey-Westfield Lady Warriors to a gritty 29-20 victory over Red Hill in girls’ high school basketball...
IL Dem touts 'great job' on transit, GOP candidate laments 'bailout' for Chicago

IL Dem touts ‘great job’ on transit, GOP candidate laments ‘bailout’ for Chicago

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Taxes and tolls will rise for many Illinoisans in 2026 if Gov. J.B. Pritzker signs legislation to...
Bill designed to protect school kids from sexual misconduct

Bill designed to protect school kids from sexual misconduct

By Esther WickhamThe Center Square A new bill meant to protect children was introduced by U.S. Rep. Wesley Hunt, R-Texas, called the National Educator Safety and Accountability Act of 2025....
Illinois quick hits: More bills enacted into law; former ComEd CEO seeking Trump pardon

Illinois quick hits: More bills enacted into law; former ComEd CEO seeking Trump pardon

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square More bills enacted into law Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office announced more than a dozen bills were enacted Friday. Aside from the...
Pritzker enacts bills, including measure decoupling IL from federal tax code

Pritzker enacts bills, including measure decoupling IL from federal tax code

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office announced more than a dozen bills were enacted Friday. Aside from the medical...
Judge overreached in ordering hundreds of illegal immigrants released

Judge overreached in ordering hundreds of illegal immigrants released

By Jonathan Bilyk | Legal NewslineThe Center Square A Biden-appointed Chicago federal judge went too far in using a deal struck between the Biden administration and pro-immigrant activists to issue...
WATCH: California co-leads suit over $100,000 H-1B visa fee

WATCH: California co-leads suit over $100,000 H-1B visa fee

By Dave MasonThe Center Square Democratic attorneys general from California and 18 other states sued the Trump administration Friday over its new $100,000 fee on H-1B visas. President Donald Trump...

WATCH: Trump outlines AI order, calls Pritzker ‘totally unreasonable’

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Although it remains to be seen how President Donald Trump’s executive order on artificial intelligence will affect...
Entrepreneur's supporters say case law may result in release

Entrepreneur’s supporters say case law may result in release

By Chris WoodwardThe Center Square Arizonans think a situation involving Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia should result in the release of a Phoenix area business owner facing deportation. Garcia is the...
GOP lawmakers silent on Trump's EO punishing state AI guardrails

GOP lawmakers silent on Trump’s EO punishing state AI guardrails

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Frustrated with Congress failing to enact national artificial intelligence regulations, President Donald Trump took matters into his own hands Thursday night and signed an executive...
Gabbard: 2,000 Afghan refugees in U.S. have ties to terrorism

Gabbard: 2,000 Afghan refugees in U.S. have ties to terrorism

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square An estimated 2,000 Afghan nationals admitted to the United States following the deadly 2021 pullout of American forces from Afghanistan have ties to terrorism, according...
Op-Ed: No more CDL mills: Trump’s DOT puts safety back in the driver’s seat

Op-Ed: No more CDL mills: Trump’s DOT puts safety back in the driver’s seat

By Steve Cortes | League of American WorkersThe Center Square As families prepare for the holidays, America’s truck drivers are doing what they always do – keeping promises to working...
Illinois Gov. Pritzker signs assisted suicide bill

Illinois Gov. Pritzker signs assisted suicide bill

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker has signed Senate Bill 1950 to legalize physician-assisted suicide in Illinois. The governor announced...
Hochul weighs AI regulations as Trump sets federal rules

Hochul weighs AI regulations as Trump sets federal rules

By Chris WadeThe Center Square New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is weighing plans to regulate the state's artificial intelligence sector, even as President Donald Trump seeks to restrict states from...
EXCLUSIVE: First Nation police chiefs want to participate in border security efforts

EXCLUSIVE: First Nation police chiefs want to participate in border security efforts

By Bethany BlankleyThe Center Square First Nation tribal police chiefs in Canada say want to participate in border security efforts. Many already are on the front lines, living at the...