Published on December 12, 2025 4:12 pm
Last Updated on December 12, 2025 4:14 pm
Lara Lash
Bethany Workman
Two Lake Land College nursing instructors, Lara Lash of Mason, and Bethany Workman of Dieterich, were recently awarded the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) Nurse Educator Fellowship.
The Nurse Educator Fellowship is a competitive prize that recognizes exceptional nursing instructors throughout Illinois. To receive award consideration, instructors must be nominated by the chief nursing administrator at their respective institution and provide evidence of their outstanding contributions to nursing education.
Lash received the fellowship for the Fall 2025 semester in recognition of her work to implement obstetric (OB) escape room simulations for her Associate Degree Nurse (ADN) students. These activities require students to complete complex OB nursing tasks, apply course concepts, engage in critical thinking and practice effective patient care to unlock clues and advance through simulations that resemble real escape rooms. The activity increases opportunities for hands-on learning, giving students the chance to practice skills under pressure in an interactive yet safe and controlled environment.
Workman received the fellowship for the Spring 2026 semester in recognition of her work to implement a comprehensive student success program designed to strengthen retention, confidence and academic performance among rural and first-generation nursing students. The project addresses potential barriers to success, such as limited mentorship, academic isolation and reduced access to resources and support systems across Lake Land’s 14-county, 4,000-square-mile district. The project consists of three components: a first-generation nursing student program that provides orientation, mentorship and belonging activities; a peer buddy program that pairs first-year students with trained second-year mentors; and student success workshops designed to provide additional support for challenging courses.
“Lara and Bethany are two of our 16 esteemed nursing faculty here at Lake Land who serve our students with excellence every day, and it is an honor to see them both recognized for their passion and innovation,” said Cassie Porter, Nursing Instructor/Director of Nursing Programs. “The way they pour themselves into their teaching is evidence of their devotion to our students and to the future of nursing in our region.”
The Nurse Educator Fellowship Programs aims to ensure the retention of well-qualified nursing faculty at institutions of higher learning that awards degrees in nursing. This year, the IBHE awarded $800,000 in fellowship prizes, providing up to 80 nursing instructors across Illinois with salary supplements for professional development, conference expenses, continued education and professional dues. More information about the IBHE Nurse Educator Fellowship Program is available on the IBHE website at IBHE.org/nefp.html.
To learn more about nursing at Lake Land College, visit the Lake Land College website at LakeLandCollege.edu/guided-pathways/area-of-study-health-and-public-services/ or contact Porter at 217-234-5452 or cporter@lakelandcollege.edu.
