Silver Lake, which is adjacent to the original campus, was a Pre-Columbian site known to indigenous Floridians before the coming of Columbus to the New World.

The area was later home to turpentine mills,[2] farming, citrus groves, winter tourists and land sales.

After the 313th Tactical Fighter Squadron left the location, German Prisoners of war (POW) moved into the barracks after being transferred to Leesburg from Camp Blanding.

The college was established in 1962 by the Florida Legislature due to the efforts of Lake and Sumter county citizens.

The Health Sciences Center, Science-Math Building, refurbished Everett A. Kelly Convocation Center/Magnolia Room, and the Sports and Recreation Complex have also enhanced the campus' facilities.

With the addition of a second building in March 2002, the campus fully supported a partnership with the University of Central Florida, South Lake Hospital, and the National Training Center.

In January 2013 classes began for the college's first four-year degree, the Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Management.

LSSC Students who sign up for DirectConnect to UCF are guaranteed acceptance and accelerated admission to the University of Central Florida[14] LSSC encourages student participation in activities that complement the academic programs of the college by providing opportunities for leadership development, pursuit of special interests, and social interaction.

The FSCAA is governed by the rules of the National Junior Community College Athletic Association (NJCAA), of which Lake-Sumter is a member of Region 8.

The program offers scholarships to local student-athletes who have excelled academically and athletically during their high school careers.

These scholarships are based upon financial need, scholastic aptitude and athletic excellence[15] Lake–Sumter State College adopted the "Lakehawks" nickname in 2012.

[16] They got a new mascot in 2019, Swoop the Lakehawk, a hawk dressed in a green college shirt and bright yellow bucket hat.