Transfer-Ready Indeed: Alumnus Continues College Journey with Advantage Among Peers

TRANSFER-READY INDEED: ALUMNUS CONTINUES COLLEGE JOURNEY WITH ADVANTAGE AMONG PEERS

THE CLASSES I TOOK AT LAKE LAND HELPED PREPARE ME FOR THE UIUC CLASSES EVEN BETTER THAN SOME OF MY PEERS WHO STARTED AT FOURYEAR UNIVERSITIES.

As a transfer student at the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Houstis Haldorsen was prepared for hard work. He started his college career in the midst of a global pandemic and succeeded in earning an associate degree in Engineering Science from Lake Land College. What he did not realize at the time was how prepared he was for this next challenge. “It may sound cliché, but I love being able to help make the world a better place,” Haldorsen said. “Developing roads, bridges and buildings…those are all things that help to create a better society.”

“A lot of people seemed to think that UIUC would be much more challenging than Lake Land,” Haldorsen said. “What I have found however is that Lake Land was not only challenging for me as well, but some of the classes I took at Lake Land helped prepare me for the UIUC classes even better than some of my peers who started at four-year universities.”

Of the engineering field, Haldorsen said what he enjoys most is the focus of civil engineering and how it is used in relation to people.

“It may sound cliché, but I love being able to help make the world a better place,” Haldorsen said. “Developing roads, bridges and buildings…those are all things that help to create a better society.”

Haldorsen praised several instructors who helped him throughout his Lake Land journey, including Physics Instructor Rakhsha Nasseripour, Physics Instructor Daniel Allen and Chemistry Instructor Greg Capitosti.

“I actually didn’t expect to enjoy physics as much as I do,” Haldorsen said. “Rakhsha was very instrumental in teaching me how to put in the extra time and effort I need to learn the material well and use it effectively. She is a great instructor, and I really enjoyed her classes.”

Haldorsen also expressed gratitude to Lake Land for the opportunity to learn from and interact with intelligent peers as well as the instructors for providing quality course work that effectively prepared him for his future.

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

Brenda Hunzinger, Biological Science Instructor

Biological Science Instructor Brenda Hunzinger has been sharing her love of science with her students each day in the classroom for more than 29 years.

She said one of her favorite aspects of teaching is helping students apply the knowledge they gain to situations outside of the classroom.

“I love all aspects of science,” Hunzinger said. “In the biological sciences, my favorite areas are genetics and biotechnology.”

Not only does Hunzinger enjoy sharing knowledge with students, she is a proud alumnus of Lake Land College, Class of 1992, and serves on the Lake Land College Alumni Board.

Hunzinger is involved in consulting and writing for various textbook publishing companies and enjoys several hobbies and interests that align with her love for teaching science, such as camping, boating, gardening and spending time outdoors.

Having served as both president and vice president of the Lake Land College Faculty Association, Hunzinger had devoted a great deal of time and effort to contributing thoughtful ideas and concepts to further the college’s mission.

In addition to serving in this capacity, Hunzinger has earned several honors and awards throughout her years of teaching, including the 2013 Lake Land College Faculty Association Outstanding Service Award and being a 2013 Illinois Community College Teacher's Association "Teacher of the Year" nominee.

She has also received several "Making a Difference" and "Excellence in Advising" Awards, from Lake Land College students throughout her years of teaching.

“I enjoy teaching at Lake Land because it allows me the opportunity to help students apply the biological science content they learn in class to their everyday lives,” Hunzinger said.

MATH & SCIENCE AREA OF STUDY

Bioscience Non-Teaching

Chemistry

Clinical Laboratory Science

Conservation

Earth Science

Engineering Science

Environmental Science

Mathematics

Physics

Pre-Chiropractic

Pre-Dental

Pre-Engineering

Pre-Medicine

Pre-Nursing: BSN Transfer

Pre-Pharmacy

Pre-Physical Therapy

Math and Science Exploratory Area of Study

LEARN MORE

For more information or to get started in a Math & Science Area of Study visit lakelandcollege.edu.