A Message from the President
As you explore the following pages, you will discover the profound impact our community partners have on Lakeshore College. We are proud to be the starting point for both sustainable careers and bachelor’s degrees, offering seamless transitions to the workforce and pathways to a liberal arts degree at UW-Green Bay, UW Oshkosh, UW-Milwaukee, and Lakeland University. Recognizing our role as a comprehensive technical and community college was the driving force for changing our name from Lakeshore Technical College to Lakeshore College.
Our commitment to students remains at the core of everything we do. Whether they are pursuing a technical program or working toward a bachelor’s degree, we continually evolve to meet their needs for flexibility, offering various delivery modes and support beyond academics. Our diverse offerings give students the freedom to tailor their learning to fit their lives, enabling them to achieve their goals at their own pace. This personalized approach is key to student success.
Your belief in the power of education has made a lasting difference to our students, and we are deeply grateful. We have been able to expand scholarship opportunities for our students, thanks to the generous support of partners like Kohler Foundation, Inc., Lakeshore Community Foundation, and countless others. We have expanded our capacity to educate our students in the healthcare fields thanks to generous donors such as Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin, the West Foundation, and the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity. We appreciate all who have contributed to our institution and the lives of our students.
As we continue to grow our identity as a comprehensive technical and community college, it is clear the growth of our college would not be possible without the collaboration and support from community partners like you. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to Lakeshore College.
Paul Carlsen, PhD President
Associate of Arts & Associate of Science
A Smart Start to a Bachelor’s Degree
A growing number of high school students and adults are seeing the value and advantages to starting on the path to their bachelor’s degree here at Lakeshore College. In fall 2024, Lakeshore saw 66% more students enrolled in our Associate of Arts and Associate of Science General Transfer degree programs than fall 2023. AA and AS students are able to:
y avoid high student loan debt — 71% of our 2023-24 graduates are free from student loan debt to Lakeshore College or the Department of Education
y make connections with instructors and classmates due to our low faculty-tostudent ratio
y jump into students clubs right away, even leadership positions
y begin the bachelor’s journey close to home — near family and work
y receive a high quality education at our nationally recognized college
Students who graduate with either degree can transfer with guaranteed junior standing to
INCREASE IN AA/AS STUDENTS OVER LAST YEAR
OF 2023-24 GRADS ARE FREE FROM STUDENT LOAN DEBT
any of our partner universities: UW-Green Bay, UW Oshkosh, UW-Milwaukee, and Lakeland University.
“By partnering with UW-Green Bay, UW Oshkosh, UW-Milwaukee, and Lakeland University, Lakeshore graduates can smoothly transfer and complete their bachelor’s degrees in a wide variety of academic programs in cities not far from our college or their homes,” says Lakeshore President Dr. Paul Carlsen.
Starting in fall 2024, students entering the AA or AS programs had the option to choose elective courses that put them on a specific path to a bachelor’s in business, education, or psychology.
Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Center for Health Care Excellence
From vision to reality — Lakeshore welcomes students to state-of-the-art learning
On September 6, 2024, Lakeshore College hosted over 250 donors and community members during the official opening of the new facility.
Students learn to diagnose and treat by working hands-on with state-of-the-art patient simulators. Nursing students can complete up to 50% of their clinical hours in simulation rooms. Instructors ensure each student experiences a comprehensive range of medical scenarios.
To meet the growing demand in our community for healthcare providers, Lakeshore College invested $6 million to remodel and expand our healthcare training facility by 16,000 square feet — enough space to double our capacity to teach and graduate 1,500 healthcare students annually.
The new facility houses dedicated spaces for each healthcare program and ample collaboration space for students to practice and study together.
Lakeshore appreciates everyone who supports meeting our community’s growing need for healthcare workers. We extend special thanks to the principal partners who helped turn our Center for Health Care Excellence vision into reality:
FOUNDATION
Impactful Community Connections
Lakeshore Leaders Supporting the Community
Lakeshore senior leaders are actively involved in many community organizations, including:
Bay Area Workforce Development Board
The Chamber of Manitowoc County District Mutual Insurance Board
Froedtert Holy Family Memorial Board
HSHS Hospital Advisory Council Love INC
Making Spirits Bright Manitowoc Noon Rotary New North
Northeast Wisconsin Educational Resource Alliance
Partners in Community Development
Plymouth Rotary
Progress Lakeshore
Sheboygan Chamber
Sheboygan County Economic Development Corporation
Sheboygan Noon Rotary
Sheboygan Sunrise Rotary
The Crossing of Manitowoc County United Way Manitowoc
In partnership with Microsoft, New North, Northeast Wisconsin Educational Resource Alliance (NEW ERA), and the NEW Digital Alliance, Lakeshore hosted AI for Higher Education on our Cleveland campus June 25, 2024. Over 200 conference attendees from 12 two- and four-year colleges joined us to explore technologies and trends through hands-on workshops and expert speakers.
Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry was honored on November 7, 2023 at a celebration where it was named by the Wisconsin Technical College System as the recipient of a Futuremaker Partner Award . The awards are announced four times a year by the Wisconsin Technical College System to pay tribute to the valuable relationships between employers and their local technical colleges.
Our Cleveland campus came alive with ghosts, witches, Barbies, and Spider-boys on October 21, 2023, during College, Candy, & Carving: A Halloween Celebration for All . This was Lakeshore’s second year hosting the event, which offers students and community members a fun opportunity to safely trick-or-treat with their families while visiting our campus.
In May 2024, the state announced Lakeshore secured over $1.2 million in new funding to support our new Dental Hygiene associate degree program. Funds are supporting the development of the program and to renovate and expand our Community Dental Clinic.
Student Excellence
SPRING 2024
LIST STUDENTS
FALL 2023
LIST STUDENTS
Over 500 Students Make the Dean’s List Both Fall & Spring Semesters
Lakeshore College named 556 students to the spring 2024 dean’s list. To make the list, students must have completed six or more credits for the term and earned a minimum GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Among the 556 students, 330 earned presidential honors. Such honors require a 4.0 GPA.
Lakeshore named 542 students to its fall 2023 dean’s list, with 327 of them earning presidential honors.
100% Pass Rate Achieved by Lakeshore Nursing Graduates
Pass rates among Lakeshore College’s Associate Degree Nursing and Practical Nursing graduates who took the spring 2024 National Council Licensure Examinations for registered nurses and practical nursing, commonly referred to as the “NCLEX,” show 100% passing. The national pass rate was 93% for registered nurses and 91% for practical nurses. Congratulations to all these graduates, as well as faculty and support staff who prepared them for this great accomplishment!
“With almost all our graduates reporting having jobs in our community, we are very proud of the great impact our nursing graduates are having,” says Lakeshore Dean of Health and Public Safety Ryan Skabroud.
Erin Rank Soars at Lambeau Field Internship Draft Day
The numbers were definitely in Lakeshore College Accounting student Erin Rank’s favor as she reconciled her successes at the end of the ninth annual Lambeau Field Internship Draft Day held November 2, 2023. Erin was selected as the overall second pick among over 150 students from Wisconsin and Michigan. She was also the first pick among her team of five students. Erin’s selections resulted in $1,500 in scholarships and seven potential internship opportunities.
Green Bay Packers President Mark Murphy announced the winners, who were chosen based on their work-related experiences, extracurricular activities, grade point average, and interviewing skills. Erin is a 2017 Brillion High School graduate. She worked in our Admissions department and participated in Business Professionals of America, Phi Theta Kappa, TRIO, and Student Leadership Board.
NAME: Shawn Engel
WHY CULINARY ARTS: Shawn was inspired by a culinary job shadow experience at Johnsonville, where he had been working as an engineering technician for 15 years.
WHY LAKESHORE: As a Kohler resident, Shawn explored his options and found Lakeshore to be the obvious choice based on location, cost, and American Culinary Federation accreditation. He also discovered Johnsonville’s generous tuition reimbursement plan.
THOUGHTS ON LEARNING SIDE-BYSIDE WITH YOUNGER STUDENTS: Shawn, 46, says he finds it exciting to see younger students begin their career journeys. “They might not know it yet, but they’ve already made decisions that will have an impact on the rest of their lives. It has opened my mind a little as well, reminding me that we all have a different story and that everyone might approach a situation or task differently.”
NAME: Jill Brotz
PROGRAM: Mechanical Design & Engineering Technology, May 2024 graduate
WHY LAKESHORE: Jill wanted to move forward in her manufacturing career, and the design engineers she was working with were very helpful in advising her on steps to take. Some of them were Lakeshore Mechanical Design & Engineering Technology program graduates, and they recommended the program to her.
ADVICE TO WOMEN INTERESTED IN THE FIELD: Jill says early in her program she compared herself to men who grew up with an interest in mechanical things. “But I’ve learned that there are so many other skills that go into being successful as a design engineer, such as a high attention to detail, a curious mind, and a problemsolving mentality. Learning the ins and outs of mechanical design comes with time, through school and job training.”
NAME: Matthew Taddy
WHY BUSINESS MANAGEMENT: “I chose the Business Management program at Lakeshore Technical College because they are nationally ranked among technical colleges, they are very affordable compared to all other schools in the area, and many of my friends and family who attended Lakeshore had nothing but great things to say about their experience.”
THOUGHTS ON INSTRUCTORS : Matthew appreciates that our instructors have real-world experience out in the field, which he says brings a whole new element to how they teach and the impact they have on students.
FUTURE PLANS: Matthew wants to pursue his bachelor’s degree in finance at UW-Green Bay after graduating from Lakeshore in December 2024. He also plans to continue working full time as an Operations Specialist at Premier Financial Credit Union in New Holstein.
Mission
Transform individuals to strengthen our communities through innovative and accessible learning.
Vision
The community’s driver for individual, social, cultural, and economic vitality.
District Board of Trustees
Lakeshore College is governed by a volunteer nine-member District Board of Trustees appointed by the Board Chairs of the counties making up our Lakeshore district: Calumet, Manitowoc, Ozaukee, and Sheboygan. Their contributions of time, expertise, and leadership are sincerely appreciated.
Don Pohlman Mayor, City of Plymouth
Kim Rooney, Vice Chair CEO, UnitedOne Credit Union
Roy Kluss Retired, Sheboygan County Detention Center
Belinda Esquinas Executive Director, The Crossing of Manitowoc County
Curt Brauer Business Representative, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 494
John Lukas Owner/Manager, JSL Real Estate LLC & Abbey Ridge LLC; Retired, LDI Industries
Monica Nichter, Secretary/Treasurer Retired, Holy Family Memorial, an affiliate of Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin
Dr. Mike Trimberger Superintendent, Random Lake School District
John Wyatt, Chair Retired, Kohler Company
375
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Lakeshore College Foundation
Dedicated to providing the gift that lasts a lifetime — education
The Lakeshore College Foundation raises about $700,000 each year to support Lakeshore students. Funds raised support student scholarships, emergency grants for needs like gas or groceries, and program enhancements.
Investing in Oral Health Education
To address a critical workforce need and in preparation of launching a Dental Hygiene program, Lakeshore began a $2 million dental space renovation in the fall of 2024. The first group of students is expected to start in the fall of 2026 and graduate in 2028.
$335, SCHOLARSHIP000 AWARDEDFUNDS
Mike Mrdjenovich, President
Retired
HUB International Ltd.
Jesse Brotz, Vice President
HR Manager
Plastics Engineering Co.
Mike McEvoy, Treasurer
Executive VP & COO
Sargento Foods
According to 2023 research by the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute, 93% of private practice dentists say it is “extremely challenging” or “very challenging” to recruit qualified Dental Hygienists.
Vision Mission Purpose
Giving the gift of education is what the Lakeshore College Foundation is all about. Through the generosity of our donors we can give a gift that lasts a lifetime.
The Lakeshore College Foundation plays an important role in a student’s academic pursuit. Our aligned mission and purpose seek to assist students with the financial support to attend college.
The Lakeshore College Foundation, Inc. enhances the productivity, profit, and leadership resources within the Lakeshore community.
FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ross Niemi, Past President
Executive VP & COO
The Metal Ware Corp.
Don Hammond
Executive VP/CFP
M-Squared/Mersberger
Sister Jane Kinate
Councilor
Franciscan Sisters of Christian
Charity
Ryan Neville
President Northeast Market
Froedtert Holy Family Memorial Hospital
Randall Roethel
Representative
Principal Financial Services, Inc.
Lee Van Boxtel
President CMS
Bemis Manufacturing
Mike Vander Zanden
President & CEO
Amerequip
Paul Weaver
Business Developer
Cassie Zinkel
Senior Talent Acquisition
Kohler Company
Scholarships Make a Difference
Kohler Foundation’s $250,000 Annual Gift Will Impact Generations
Kohler Foundation, Inc. kicked off Lakeshore College’s 2024 in an epic way by announcing an annually renewable gift of $250,000 to support local youth pursuing higher education.
Long recognized for its commitment to fostering educational opportunities through scholarship, the Kohler Foundation believes in and actively supports all pathways to post-secondary education. This contribution underscores its ongoing dedication to empowering students through scholarship, which enhances the wellbeing of our entire community.
The impact of an ongoing gift is generational.
“The Kohler Foundation’s gift to the Lakeshore College Educational Excellence Scholarship demonstrates a profound investment in our region’s students, the overwhelming majority of whom stay local after they graduate,” says Lakeshore President Dr. Paul Carlsen.
In spring, the first Educational Excellence Scholarships were awarded to 73 students attending Lakeshore for the 2024-25 academic year. The scholarships are renewable if the students continue to meet the scholarship requirements. This ensures they can graduate from Lakeshore with little or no student loan debt.
Cyber Skills for All
Lakeshore College is one of only 14 community colleges nationwide to be selected for the third cohort of the “Cyber Skills for All: Community Colleges Lead the Way” initiative funded by Microsoft Foundation.
The grant that came with our selection is enabling Lakeshore to accelerate efforts to recruit women and underrepresented students into cyber fields, as well as upskill and reskill incumbent and displaced workers crucial to meeting local employer needs.
Braylon Yang, a May 2024 graduate of Lakeshore’s ITCybersecurity Specialist program, was Lakeshore’s first recipient of a scholarship made available thanks to the grant. Braylon also received a Promise Scholarship, which is a Lakeshore scholarship offered to qualifying high school seniors.
Braylon Yang
Excellence at All Levels
Recognized as one of the best among over 1,200 two-year colleges nationwide
Winner 2024
EARNED FIFTEEN CONSECUTIVE YEARS
Best-in-Class Employer
After participating in Gallagher’s 2023 U.S. Benefits Strategy & Benchmarking Survey, Lakeshore College was identified as an organization that excels in implementing successful strategies for managing people and programs.
EARNED TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS
EARNED SEVEN CONSECUTIVE TIMES
#9 BEST COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN AMERICA 2024
Late in 2023, the Child Care Center located on our Cleveland campus earned a 5-Star rating, the highest available, from YoungStar. To better meet the needs for child care among our students, employees, and community families, a decision was made to begin offering year-round care in the fall of 2024.
Looking Ahead
Lakeshore College deeply values the contributions of the 450 individuals from 255 different businesses who serve on our Advisory Committees. These local experts keep us closely connected to the workforce needs of our community, providing valuable input on every program we offer, as well as those we are considering for the future. Their involvement ensures that we stay aligned with local demands, helping Lakeshore graduates become truly workforce-ready.
During the 2023-24 academic year, we welcomed our first students to:
• Dairy Business Management
In the fall of 2024, we began welcoming students to:
• Foundations of Teacher Education
• Funeral Services (a shared program with Milwaukee Area Technical College)
• A psychology emphasis in the Associate of Arts and Associate of Science General Transfer degrees
• An education emphasis in the Associate of Arts and Associate of Science General Transfer degrees
Programs on the horizon, in the research phase now are:
• Artificial Intelligence
• Business Operations
• Respiratory Therapist (a shared program with Milwaukee Area Technical College)
Currently in the accreditation phase with an anticipated start in the fall of 2026 is:
• Dental Hygienist
