Skip to main content
LMC student graduates

About

Our Mission

Together we empower people and communities to thrive through education, innovation, and experiences.

Lake Michigan College is a two-year, accredited, nonprofit community college in southwest Michigan.

Transcript of video-only content for Our Guiding Principles video.

Most people have a job.

Here, we have a mission to empower people and communities together.

Whether we impart knowledge, beautify campus, or dig through data, we're all in this together because none of us can do it alone.

Changing lives isn't easy. We're transforming communities from the trenches. Some days are exhausting. Some days are frustrating. Some days are thankless.

Our strength comes from compassion, kindness, and limitless potential.

A culture that inspires us to bring our best. 

A culture that inspires us to give our most together.

Starting now, let's celebrate what unites us and embrace our uniqueness, because stakes are high and the rewards are extraordinary.

College-Wide Goals

Book Icon

Academic Excellence

Goal

Students are well-prepared to excel academically and professionally

Strategic Theme
  • Quality Programs/Curriculum
  • Student Learning
  • Culture/Environment for/of Learning
Measures
  • Meeting employer needs
  • Successful institutional transfer
  • Instructional effectiveness
Student Graduate Icon

Student Success

Goal

Our students explore, define, and reach their goals

Strategic Theme
  • Access
  • Inclusion
  • Retention
  • Student Support
Measures
  • Persistence and retention
  • Goal completion rate and duration
  • Student satisfaction
Hands Shaking Icon

Community Impact

Goal

Our educational and cultural experiences improve socioeconomic mobility, strengthen the economy, and enrich lives

Strategic Method
  • Outreach
  • Communication
  • Workforce/Talent Development
  • Regional Community Enrichment
Measures
  • Economic impact
  • Financial savings for students and families
  • Professionals in high demand fields

Our Guiding Principles

person with checkmark icon
Accountability

We hold ourselves accountable to our students, communities, professional standards, and each other.

hand with plant icon
Culture

We ensure our actions support the whole person through compassion and kindness.

people with their arms interlocked in a circle icon
Diversity

We promote an inclusive environment by thoughtfully and intentionally engaging diversity in all its forms.

Person with scales of justice icon
Integrity

We conduct ourselves with integrity in all matters.

blue ribbon icon
Quality

We provide the highest quality education and experiences possible.

hand with group of people icon
Service

We strive to meet the needs of our students, employees, and communities.

Locations Across Southwest Michigan

Benton Harbor Campus

Situated on former farmland in Benton Township between US 31 and I 94, the Benton Harbor Campus on Napier Avenue was completed in 1976. The original building, the Campus Center is now joined by The Mendel Center, Western Michigan University Southwest Campus, Beckwith Residence Hall and the Hanson Technology Center.

Bertrand Innovation Center

The Bertrand Innovation Center is located just off US 31 in the Bertrand Crossing Industrial Park. This campus serves residents of South Berrien County including Niles, Buchanan and New Buffalo; Cass County and Northern Indiana.

South Haven Campus

Lake Michigan College's South Haven Campus provides local higher education opportunity to city residents at in-district tuition rates. The campus on Veterans Boulevard is also conveniently located for other residents of Van Buren County.

Allegan Tech Center

The Allegan Tech Center hosts several Lake Michigan College degree, certificate and short-term training programs.

Located in Southwest Michigan Icon

Programs for All Learners

Lake Michigan College offers over 80 different academic programs, including career education, transfer programs, part-time and full-time options and online learning.

Even before students graduate from high school, LMC has partnered with local school systems to offer college-level coursework to qualified students. With Early College, students earn both high school and college credit for courses, saving families thousands of dollars in college tuition.

Several programs at LMC are designed to assist local residents who have had a hard time getting to college. The Educational Opportunity Center can help anyone over 19 to get into any college, not just LMC. Upward Bound offers help to students who are struggling at Lake Michigan College. And Start to Finish provides support to students beginning when they're in high school, all the way through their college career at LMC.

Person Learning Icon

By the Numbers

3,437 Students*

Age** 

22.6% - under 18
47.7% - 18-24
28.9% - 25 and up

Residency**

0.6% - International
13.5% - Out of District
85.9% - In-District ***

264 Employees

*Numbers are approximate for the 2022-23 academic year
** credit-earning students 
*** in district service area includes Berrien County, South Haven Public Schools District (in Van Buren and Allegan counties), and Covert Township (in Van Buren County)
 

Pie Chart Icon
Back to Top Apply Now