For Elizabeth Womble, the path to becoming a teacher is clear. Getting there is the challenge. A student at Lincoln Trail College, Womble is working toward a degree in education with plans to become a high school home economics teacher. It’s a goal shaped not just by her interests, but by her life experience. “I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for 10 years,” Womble said. “I knew I wanted to be a teacher, and I thought about what I’ve been doing that I wouldn’t mind teaching for a long time.”

Academic achievement took center stage as Lincoln Trail College welcomed a new class of students into the Alpha Iota Epsilon chapter of Phi Theta Kappa during its spring induction ceremony. The ceremony recognized students who have demonstrated excellence in the classroom and a commitment to scholarship, leadership and service.

Four Lincoln Trail College Process Technology students have qualified for the NAPTA Troubleshooting Skills Competition, earning the opportunity to compete against top programs from across the country. Hannah Potts, Natalie Ramsey, Korbin Alger and Dalton Spahn will represent LTC at the national competition, which is organized by the North American Process Technology Alliance and will be held April 29-May 1 in Pasadena, Texas.

The Lincoln Trail College Community Choir and Jazz Band will present a spring concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 1, in the Zwermann Arts Center Theater. The concert will feature a blend of choral works and jazz standards performed by ensembles made up of community members and Lincoln Trail College students.

Students in the telecommunications program at Lincoln Trail College continue to demonstrate their readiness for the workforce, extending a six-year streak of passing the Fiber Optic Association (FOA) Certification Exam on their first attempt.

For the third consecutive year, students at Lincoln Trail College are gaining real-world experience while making a tangible impact in the community through the Internal Revenue Service’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. The VITA program offers free tax preparation services to qualifying individuals, particularly those with low incomes and elderly residents. At Lincoln Trail College, the program is led by Associate Professor of Business Amie Mayhall and supported by students who complete IRS training and certification.

More than 150 high school seniors from Crawford County spent April 8 at Lincoln Trail College exploring their next steps during the college’s annual Senior Start Day. Students from the county’s four high schools took part in a day designed to introduce them to college life, career options and financial decision-making.

Walking into the nation’s capital, Al Crosley knew he carried more than just his own story. The Lincoln Trail College student was one of four Illinois Eastern Community Colleges students selected to attend the 2026 TRIO Policy Seminar, where students from across the country met with lawmakers to advocate for continued funding for TRIO programs.  “It was really cool,” Crosley said. “It was scary because it’s a pretty important thing to be doing. But it made me feel like I was having a part in something.”

Lincoln Trail College will soon offer agriculture courses on its campus, creating a new pathway for students interested in careers in one of the region’s most important industries. Beginning this fall, Lincoln Trail College will offer agriculture courses designed to introduce students to the field and prepare them to continue their studies through Illinois Eastern Community Colleges’ agriculture programs. LTC President Tona Ambrose said the launch reflects years of interest from students, schools and community members.

Lincoln Trail College is inviting alumni, community members, and supporters to come together on March 31 for the college’s first-ever Day of Giving. The 24-hour event will bring attention to the ways community support helps students succeed while strengthening the programs and opportunities available on campus. The effort is part of a coordinated Day of Giving across Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, with each campus foundation focusing on supporting its local students and priorities.