Mattoon, IL-(Effingham Radio)- Lake Land College presented the Non-traditional Student of the Year Award to Natashia Carter and Rebecca Ennis during a ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Carter and Ennis were among 10 nominees who were honored for their perseverance and outstanding determination in pursuing their academic goals and following their dreams.
The nominees were:
- Nicole Martin, Greenup
- Cynthia Heiman, Pana
- Noella Kasera, Democratic Republic of Congo
- Tierra Rowland, Humboldt
- Blessing Nzeribe, Nigeria
- Holly Cornell, Montrose
- Austin Babb, Lerna
- Darrius Frazier, Charleston
“The individuals we honor this evening are a special group of people. Their paths to be here today have not always been easy, yet you would never know it,” said Kelly Allee, director of marketing and public relations. “Their positive attitudes and determination inspire everyone around them. We are thankful for the opportunity to celebrate their many past accomplishments and anticipate their bright futures.”
Carter is a non-traditional student from Mattoon and attends Lake Land after reshaping her life by overcoming addiction. She quickly settled in at Lake Land and grew to become a leader among her peers. She serves as a tutor, leads major projects as the president of PTK, volunteers her time to support foster families and advocates for mental health by using her story to inspire others. She is seeking a degree in human services to work in counseling and help others face the same struggles she overcame.
In the nomination form, Tessa Wiles said, “Tashia leads by example with great enthusiasm and strength. She appreciates every day, which shines through in her leadership.”
Casey Reynolds said of her, “She makes us, as a college, better with her dedication to everything she does.”
Ennis is a non-traditional student from Charleston and is pursuing a degree in psychology after years of putting her education on hold to focus on her family’s needs. Now, she balances the responsibilities of being both a student and the caregiver of her husband and mother, who are both battling cancer. Even with these challenges, she remains steadfast in earning her education and completing her academic goals. She is an outstanding student who consistently performs at the highest level. She is also a talented self-published author and received the 2023 Illinois State Paul Simon Scholarship Award for her powerful essay on how community college changed her life.
In the nomination form, Joy Kaurin said, “She could easily make excuses with the various challenges that have arisen. Instead of stepping aside, she has chosen to push forward. She has become a point of inspiration to her children as they see her pursue college at this stage of life.”
Nicole Martin is a non-traditional student from Greenup and was nominated by Megan Nelson, marketing publication and design coordinator. She is pursuing a degree in nursing and returns to Lake Land after putting her academic goals on hold nearly 20 years ago to focus on her family.
In the nomination form, Nelson said, “Nicole is a caring, compassionate and confident leader and a cherished mentor to those around her. I am certain she will carry that into her career in nursing after Lake Land.”
Cynthia Heiman is from Pana and studies at Lake Land in the BNA program. She was nominated by Constance Ricky, Allied Health instructor. She has balanced many responsibilities in her path to success in the BNA program, as she is also a mother and full-time employee.
In the nomination form, Ricky said, “She is an excellent student who gives her whole heart in the classroom. Her classmates love her and the residents she cares for adore her. She is going to make an amazing CNA.”
Noella Kasera comes to Lake Land from the Democratic Republic of Congo to study criminal justice. She was nominated by Denver Daniels, coordinator of international studies program. Noella embraces the challenges of being a student in a foreign country in addition to the responsibilities of being a recent single mother.
In the nomination form, Daniels said, “Her tenacity, willingness to succeed and intelligence is exactly what we think of when we, as a college, consider non-traditional students. She has absolutely impacted the small community of international students here for the better.”
Tierra Rowland is a non-traditional student who is majoring in human services. She was nominated by Lydia Craig, adjunct faculty humanities division. In addition to her academic responsibilities, Tierra raises a daughter who has had a different disability since birth. Tierra said her daughter is an incredible, joyous gift who inspires her to be the best version of herself.
In the nomination form, Craig said, “Tierra is unequivocally her own person. She is courageous, positive and hilarious. Because of her determination, kindness and passion, she instantly sprang to mind when I considered a nomination for the non-traditional student award.”
Blessing Nzeribe comes to Lake Land from Nigeria to study nursing. She was nominated by Kim Hunter, director to student success services. Blessing has faced many obstacles associated with pursuing a degree while also navigating a foreign country. Still, she has risen above these challenges with an incredible determination and commitment to her studies.
In the nomination form, Hunter said, “Blessing has done so much while being an ocean away from her family and hundreds of miles from the friends she made when she first came to the U.S. She is really a credit to what constitutes the Laker Spirit.”
Holly Cornell is a non-traditional student from Montrose and is pursuing a degree in early childcare education. She was nominated by Lori Ohnesorge, director of Trio programs. Holly balances her duties as a student with her responsibilities as a mother, consistently putting her best efforts forward in school while also pouring her heart into supporting her family.
In the nomination form, Ohnesorge said, “Holly is a well-rounded student who has great abilities to serve her family and those around her. She has the biggest heart and is kind to anyone she meets. I look forward to seeing the impact she will make in her future with her great talents.”
Darrius Frazier is from Charleston and is studying IT computer applications at Lake Land College. He has shown remarkable resilience in overcoming an Asperger’s diagnosis to accomplish his academic goals. He has earned two Associate degrees from Lake Land already in radio/TV broadcasting and geospatial technology.
At Lake Land, he is involved in two honor societies, Phi Theta Kappa and the National Society of Leadership and Success. He is an active member of campus, participating in the IT club, the Vibe, the broadcast communications club, the Navigator News and the diversity & inclusion team.
Austin Babb is a non-traditional student in Lake Land’s Paramedical Services Program. She was nominated by Jasmine Ballard, emergency services program coordinator. Austin is originally from Sullivan and now lives in Lerna with her husband and children. She works full time as an EMT while also keeping up with the demands of being both a student and a mother.
In the nomination form, Ballard said, “Austin is compassionate with her patients and knowledgeable in her industry. When she finishes class, she will be a great provider and mentor to fellow providers as well as a wonderful teacher to students.”
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Lake Land College District 517, located in Mattoon, Illinois, serves the second largest community college district in the state, with a total population of 189,869. The Lake Land College district comprises all or part of 15 counties and 31 public school districts in rural east central Illinois. Counties served by Lake Land College include: Christian, Clark, Clay, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Fayette, Jasper, Macon, Montgomery, Moultrie and Shelby.
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