Transfer student optimizing Lakeland experience
Erin Rank has only been a student at Lakeland University for about three months. Based on her involvement and accomplishments it feels like she’s been a fixture for much longer.
Rank, a 2024 Lakeshore College graduate from Manitowoc, Wis., is majoring in accounting and making the most of the programs and services at LU along the way.
She came to Lakeland thanks to the Lake to Lake program, which provides a seamless pathway for Lakeshore College graduates to enroll at Lakeland as juniors.
She was also attracted to Lakeland’s Cooperative Education program, which lets LU students earn academic credit for working at Co-Op partner companies.
“The program was very apparent when I was transferring and I thought, this is perfect,” Rank said. “I work and I need credits, so it goes hand in hand.”
Rank is earning four academic credits for her work as a client accounting and advisory services intern at CliftonLarsonAllen.
“I am learning so much on the job,” said Rank, also a member of Lakeland’s Accounting Club. “It’s really cool. I was in tax last spring with them and that taught me a lot, too.”
She is also earning two academic credits through a Co-Op role as time management skills coach with Lakeland’s Life & Career Studies program, which provides a complete college experience for young adults who have an intellectual disability.
Rank will soon be starting a new role as chief financial officer for Launch: Lakeland Student-Run Businesses, which gives LU students the tools and support to create, develop and manage income-generating businesses.
She’s making moves off campus, as well. Last week, Rank won the 10th Annual Internship Draft Day, hosted by the Northeast Wisconsin Manufacturing Alliance. She earned a $2,500 scholarship, announced by Green Bay Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy, topping a field of more than 250 students.
She placed second in the competition last year and used what she learned in that experience to her advantage. Students participate in interviews with employers – Rank did five – and earn points based on their performance as well as other items like grade point average, campus participation and recruiting peers to attend the event.
“I felt confident going in because I knew what I was doing,” Rank said. “I’ve gotten so much more comfortable, especially being a leader. I am approachable and I feel like I can talk to anyone.”
Rank is on track to graduate from Lakeland in the spring of 2026 and at age 25 is far removed from when she graduated from Brillion High School in 2017 when she was unsure of her future.
“I always needed extra help in high school,” Rank said. “I am a completely different person than I was. I am succeeding and getting recognition and it makes me want to work harder. I’m making people proud for what I am doing.”
Despite being older than most of her peers, she enjoys living on campus and plans to apply to be a resident assistant in the future.
“Coming in I thought ‘I am not making friends with 18- and 20-year-olds’ and here I have made several best friends,” she said. “This was the best decision to live at Lakeland. It feels comfortable here.”
