Lakeland Community College Partners with ICASI for Culinary Degrees
URGENT UPDATE: Lakeland Community College and the International Culinary Arts and Sciences Institute (ICASI) have just announced a groundbreaking partnership designed to enhance educational opportunities for aspiring chefs and pastry artists. This collaboration, formalized through articulation agreements, enables students to seamlessly transition from ICASI’s Advanced Techniques Diploma programs into a degree at Lakeland.
Under this new agreement, students completing their training at ICASI will earn 30 semester credit hours toward an Associate of Technical Studies degree at Lakeland. This initiative is poised to significantly impact those pursuing careers in the culinary arts, offering both rigorous practical training and essential academic credentials.
Erin Fekete, Dean of Arts and Sciences at Lakeland, stated, “With this partnership, students no longer have to choose between intensive hands-on training and earning a college degree — they can now have both.” This dual approach positions graduates for success in high-end restaurants, entrepreneurship, or management roles within the hospitality sector.
The collaboration addresses a vital gap in culinary education by merging ICASI’s renowned practical training with Lakeland’s comprehensive academic curriculum. “By recognizing the high-quality specialized training provided by ICASI, we’re helping students achieve their educational goals more efficiently,” Fekete added. This investment in workforce development is particularly significant for Ohio’s expanding hospitality sector.
Students enrolled in this program will benefit from industry connections and gain transferable college credits that enhance their prospects for advancing to a four-year degree. ICASI Executive Director Loretta Paganini emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating, “Our collaboration ensures students receive not only the technical skills and hands-on experience but also the academic credentials that will open doors throughout their careers in the hospitality industry.”
Since 2016, Lakeland and ICASI have worked together, allowing students to pursue their degrees while gaining practical experience. This updated agreement enhances the existing partnership and is expected to attract more students to both institutions.
Fekete expressed excitement about the new opportunities, saying, “One advantage of this program is that students can complete the degree at Lakeland before, after, or during their time at ICASI.” The flexibility of course offerings, available both online and in-person—including summer classes—means students can tailor their educational journey to fit their lifestyles.
This partnership signifies a major step forward in culinary education, providing students with the tools they need to thrive in a competitive field. For more details about this transformative opportunity, visit www.lakelandcc.edu/web/about/culinary-arts-departments.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as we track the impact of this collaboration on students and the culinary industry.
