Page 14 Excellence In Education Lincoln Daily News January 2026 Land of Lincoln CEO Entrepreneurial Program Land of Lincoln CEO is a hands-on entrepreneurial program designed to teach students first-hand how business works. The program is offered through LTEC (Lincolnland Technical Education Center). It is a year-long, accredited high school course for sophomores and juniors. Any current sophomore or junior attending a public, private, or home school in the LTEC area can apply. CEO is offered to juniors and seniors as a Heartland Community College dual credit class. There is no cost to apply and there is no tuition due for the program. Those accepted into the program are required to provide their own transportation. There are no GPA requirements to apply to CEO. The application process requires students to write a few short answers about themselves and why they want to take the class. Two references must be provided and the school guidance counselor must approve. The local business community partners with area schools to create project-based learning experiences for students. Students from Lincoln, Mt. Pulaski, Olympia and HartsburgEmden who are looking to gain business skills are encouraged to apply CEO is not a traditional classroom and book type of course. LLCEO meets daily during the school year, generally in the mornings. Most meetings are from 7 - 9 a.m. and occur in different business setting throughout the county. Businesses volunteer to host the students and focus on specific business lessons. The facilitator guides the students in the CEO program. The facilitator helps connect students with local businesses, manages program logistics and requirements, and helps the students develop a relationship with their mentors, the Board, and investors. The program facilitator is not referred to as a teacher, because they are not providing daily lessons, but are facilitating entrepreneurial relationships and skills. Lisa Kuhlman is the facilitator for LLCEO. She has been involved with the program for several years and has seen dozens of graduates realize their dreams of owning their own business. Lisa is a former business owner and graphic designer with a background in youth programming and community education. You can reach Lisa at facilitator@llceo.com. The CEO program is designed to take students out of the classroom and put them in direct contact with local businesses, mentors, and those who invest both time and money in them. The goal is to develop entrepreneurial skills like professionalism and problem solving while focusing on economic
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