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There’s something about Lincoln Trail College that stays with you. Maybe it’s the way instructors take the time to help after class. Or how faculty and staff show up to ball games and student events—not because they have to, but because they want to. Or maybe it’s the feeling of walking across the stage at graduation, knowing the whole campus has quietly cheered you on every step of the way.
This April, during Community College Month, Lincoln Trail College is taking time to celebrate what makes it so special: the people who choose to show up, support, and believe—in students, in progress, and in each other.
“LTC is the best decision ever because we offer more than just an education,” said President Tona Ambrose. “We provide an incredible space where students can learn, grow, and thrive both inside and outside of the classroom.”
At Lincoln Trail College, success doesn’t have one look. Some students are fresh out of high school, while others are raising families or making a career change later in life. Some grew up down the road; others come from around the world. Right now, LTC serves students from 11 different countries and multiple states, adding richness to every classroom conversation.
“We often hear people assume our student body is mostly local,” Ambrose said. “And while we’re proud to serve our local community, we’re also proud of the diversity on our campus. Our students bring so many different life experiences, and that makes LTC an incredible place to learn.”
Whether students are taking general education classes to transfer or working toward a technical degree, Lincoln Trail College is built to support them. With affordable tuition, small class sizes, and a commitment to personalized instruction, the college provides a learning environment that’s rigorous, flexible, and deeply human.
“Our faculty are highly qualified and genuinely care,” Ambrose said. “I see instructors staying after class to help, or spending extra hours planning student life events, or showing up to cheer at a game. That kind of support makes a real difference.”
And that support extends far beyond academics. From the Crawford County Recreation Center to athletic events, performing arts, and student clubs, the LTC campus has become a hub where the community gathers and students find a sense of belonging.
“I like to think of LTC as a place where people connect,” Ambrose said. “That connection—to others, to opportunity, to a larger purpose—is what makes us more than a college. It makes us a community.”
That community-first mindset also shapes how LTC responds to workforce needs. The college regularly collaborates with local employers to ensure students graduate ready to contribute and succeed.
One example is the Crawford County Community Health Coaching Program, a partnership between LTC and Crawford Memorial Hospital that equips students to serve as health coaches while improving community wellness. Another major investment is the upcoming Technology Center, which will house state-of-the-art facilities for broadband technology, welding, and process technology.
Even in day-to-day operations, the college looks for ways to deepen partnerships. LTC provides office space in its main academic building for the Executive Director of the Crawford County Development Association, creating intentional opportunities for collaboration between education and economic development.
“Staying closely connected to local industry is how we keep our programs innovative and relevant,” Ambrose said.
To meet the evolving needs of today’s students, LTC offers flexible scheduling, online and hybrid classes, and personalized support. These options make it possible for students to pursue their goals—even while balancing work, family, and life’s other demands.
Still, behind every success story is something more than technology or strategy—it’s people. And for Ambrose, that’s what makes Lincoln Trail College exceptional.
“I’m most proud of the way everyone here works together as a team,” she said. “It’s not just a job to our faculty and staff. It’s a shared mission. We’re all here to help students succeed.”
As students prepare to cross the stage at graduation on May 9, the LTC campus will once again be filled with the kind of pride and joy that defines the college experience—not just for students, but for the faculty, staff, families, and community members who helped them get there.
“That moment means everything,” Ambrose said. “It’s the culmination of hard work, late nights, second chances, and new beginnings. And it’s a reminder of why what we do here matters.”
