LMC South Haven Campus Offers Diverse Programs to Meet Local Needs

Associate Dean highlights CNA, phlebotomy, CDL, and agriculture programs tailored to regional employers and students

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The South Haven City Council was briefed on the wide range of programs and opportunities available at the Lake Michigan College South Haven campus. Associate Dean Jeremy Burleson discussed how the campus has responded to local industry needs by offering courses in certified nursing assistance, phlebotomy, commercial driver's licenses, and agriculture. He also highlighted the campus's efforts to eliminate barriers to higher education through dual enrollment, free tuition, and support services like childcare.

Why it matters

The LMC South Haven campus is playing a crucial role in providing affordable, accessible education and training programs that directly address workforce needs in the local community. By tailoring its curriculum to regional industries, the campus is helping to fill critical labor shortages and giving students pathways to in-demand careers.

The details

Associate Dean Jeremy Burleson said he has worked to understand the needs of local industries and respond accordingly. For example, after meeting with area hospitals, the campus transformed classrooms into labs for certified nursing assistant (CNA) and phlebotomy training, now offering one class per semester in each. The campus has also seen great success with its commercial driver's license (CDL) program, attracting students from all backgrounds looking to change professions. Additionally, the campus's Hoop House facility is providing agricultural education, with a focus on stackable, short-term certificates in areas like soil science and herbicide application.

  • The South Haven City Council was briefed on the LMC South Haven campus programs this week.
  • When Burleson first started, he met with local hospital representatives and learned they needed more CNAs and phlebotomists.

The players

Jeremy Burleson

The associate dean of the Lake Michigan College South Haven campus.

Lake Michigan College

A community college with a South Haven campus that offers a variety of career-focused programs.

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What they’re saying

“I transformed our art room into a CNA lab and a phlebotomy lab. We offer one CNA class and one phlebotomy class per semester.”

— Jeremy Burleson, Associate Dean, Lake Michigan College South Haven (wcsy.com)

“We have people that are trying to change professions, we have people that are just looking for something different. I've seen it all — males, females, every walk of life coming through, trying to do something different through our CDL program, and it's been incredibly successful.”

— Jeremy Burleson, Associate Dean, Lake Michigan College South Haven (wcsy.com)

What’s next

The South Haven City Council will continue to work with the LMC South Haven campus to ensure the programs offered meet the evolving needs of the local community and regional employers.

The takeaway

The LMC South Haven campus is demonstrating how community colleges can be nimble and responsive to local workforce demands, providing affordable, accessible education and training that directly benefits the surrounding region. By eliminating barriers and tailoring its curriculum, the campus is creating pathways to in-demand careers and supporting the economic vitality of South Haven.