Lakeland University is being recognized for one of its most popular programs.
The University has been named one of four finalists for the Innovation in Education Award at the 2026 BizTimes Nonprofit Excellence Awards.
The nomination is for Lakeland’s Cooperative Education program, which allows students to earn up to 25% of their academic credit working in full- or part-time jobs at partner companies.
Thanks to the Co-Op program, Lakeland is the only university across the Midwest that allows students to earn a full year of academic credit for their work experience.
Since the program’s inception in 2018, Lakeland students have earned nearly 12,500 credits, worked over 680,000 hours, and earned $10 million in wages.
On what the Co-Op program does, Lakeland President Beth Borgen stated, “Co-Op connects young talent with meaningful career opportunities while strengthening their sense of belonging within the community. By fostering professional pathways and personal ties, the program can increase the likelihood that young talent will choose to build their futures locally.”
The BizTimes Nonprofit Excellence Awards will be held on July 23rd in Milwaukee, where all finalists and award winners will be honored.
