Lake Land's creation was first approved in 1966 by a referendum in 13 public school districts centered on Mattoon.

Other coursework programs include the Cisco Networking Academy, Computer Troubleshooting, Physical Therapist Assistant, Desktop Publishing Graphic Design, Radio-TV Broadcasting, Raster Geographic Information Systems, and Psychiatric Rehabilitation.

The women's basketball team finished 24–2 and defeated Johnson County Community College 53–49 to win their first national championship.

The Lakers are known for making runs within the Great Rivers Athletic Conference (GRAC), and Region 24 Tournaments.

The most successful programs at Lake Land are softball and women's basketball, particularly for their high number of NJCAA National Tournament Appearances.