| Location: | Midwest |
| Setting: | Small Town Setting |
| Type: | Public |
| Size: | Medium (2,000 to 5,000 Undergrad) |
The philosophy of Lake Michigan College, an institution of higher education, is founded on the belief that education is for all who wish to develop their potential. It is fundamental that a community college assist in meeting the educational, career, cultural, wellness and recreational needs of the community it serves. The involves a five-fold obligation:
1. To provide for the educational aspirations, needs and learning expectations of the individual and the community;
2. To provide for the occupational needs and desires of the learner and the community;
3. To provide for the cultural interests and the wellness and recreational needs of the individual, and thus contribute to the development of effective citizens;
4. To provide an assurance of quality in programs and in people;
5. To develop an international perspective that prepares students, employees, and community members for a world economy and global citizenship.
Lake Michigan College is a regional two-year community college located in Berrien County, Michigan. The main campus is located in Benton Township, Michigan, on US-31/Napier Avenue, and regional campuses are located in Benton Harbor, Bertrand Crossing (Niles), and South Haven. The main campus is bordered by two major highways: Interstate 94 to the west and the US-31 freeway to the east. The Mendel Center for Arts and Technology, a multipurpose theater and facility, is at the main campus. The current president of the college is Dr. Randall Miller.
Lake Michigan College was founded in 1946 within the city of Benton Harbor. Sydney C. Mitchell, then superintendent of Benton Harbor Area Schools, saw the need for a junior college for veterans returning home from World War II. It was known as Benton Harbor Junior College until 1963, when voters decided that the college should serve all areas of the county.
The Napier Avenue campus was extensively renovated in 2000, and the One Stop Center was created. The One Stop Center brings together various student services, including financial aid, cashier, and records and admission, into one convenient location. In 2005, when the former college president resigned, the One Stop Center was renamed in his honor and is today known as the Richard J. Pappas Student Service Center.
The campus currently has no living quarters. The campus also includes a Western Michigan University-Southwest extension. The South Haven Campus was completed in 2003, the M-TEC training facility was completed in 2000 and the Bertrand Crossings Campus in 1997.
Lake Michigan College is a member of the NJCAA Region 12 and the MCCAA Western Division. The current Athletic Director is Doug Schaffer and he is also the head men's basketball coach. He was named Michigan Community College Athletic Association Athletic Director of the Year for 2005. The men's basketball team placed 8th in the nation in 2005. Lake Michigan College also has baseball, softball, and volleyball teams. The baseball and softball teams are very successful, having placed very high in the nation in consecutive years. The biggest rivals of Lake Michigan College are the Kalamazoo Valley Community College Cougars and the Ancilla College Chargers.
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| Percent of Students International: | 5% |
| Tuition & Fees (undergraduate) | In-District | In-State | Out-of-State |
Published Tuition and Fees: |
$ 2,535 | $ 2,940 | $ 3,795 |
Average Tuition for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 2,175 | $ 2,580 | $ 3,435 |
Required Fees for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 360 | $ 360 | $ 360 |
| Financial Aid | Avg. Amount Received | % of Students Receiving Aid | |
Federal Grants: |
$ 2,657 | 34% | |
State and Local Grants: |
$ 1,343 | 50% | |
Institutional Grants: |
$ 1,010 | 25% | |
Student Loans: |
$ 4,729 | 22% | |
Any Aid: |
75% |
