Senior Director: Debra Lybyer, M Ed
E-mail: dlybyer@lcsc.edu
Office: RCH 208
Phone: 208-792-2313
FAX: 208-792-2298
Office e-mail: tac@lcsc.edu
Web: http://www.lcsc.edu/advising

• Coordinate and organize new student advising and registration events and activities;
• Provide academic advising and support for first time freshmen and other at-risk student populations;
• Assist students with exploration of college majors and/or career options and provision of informational resources to support that function; and
• Provide career counseling and support for single parents/displaced homemakers and students pursuing majors and career paths not traditionally associated with their genders.

At LC State, educational advising is viewed as the foundation for a successful college experience. Academic Students: First time freshmen and transfer students with less than 14 credits are initially advised by staff advisors in an advisor coaching model coordinated through The Advising Center. While working with staff advisors, students will take an extended orientation course during which they will complete an academic plan, a career plan, and will participate in engagement activities on campus. Once complete, students will be assigned an academic advisor in the instructional division of their major. Upon the start of their initial semester at LC State, freshmen will also be provided with a faculty mentor and a peer mentor. Career & Technical Education Students: First time freshmen and transfer students with less than 14 credits will be advised for their initial semester of courses through The Advising Center. Once registered through a STAR program, students will be assigned to a faculty advisor(s) within their program and will be provided a peer mentor. If registered as a pre-program student, they will be provided with a staff advisor, faculty advisor(s), and peer mentor until fully admitted to their program. Transfer and Returning Students: Students admitted with over 14 transferable credits post-high school are directed to the instructional divisions of their major and are advised by faculty advisors within their disciplines.  All Students: Advisors assist students in selecting courses to meet the college’s various degree and certification requirements. All degree-seeking students are required to meet with an advisor prior to registering for classes each term. Advisor assignments occur when a student completes a Program Information Form (PIF). These forms can be obtained online (https://www.lcsc.edu/registrar/student-information/student-resources), from the Office of Admissions, Office of the Registrar, or the instructional division office of their respective major. Students who have chosen a major will be assigned an advisor within their division.

Undeclared Student Advising

LC State encourages the enrollment of students who are unsure of their educational career goals. The majority of students who are undecided about their future major will declare an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts which includes the General Education Core required of all degrees at LC State. While completing the requirements for this degree, students will work closely with their academic advisor to move toward choosing a major by taking advantage of career exploration offerings during their initial academic semesters.

At-Risk Advising

Through a comprehensive support and intervention program, The Advising Center works directly with students to help ensure academic success. Provisionally Admitted academic students will be referred to The Advising Center for consultation and assistance regarding progress toward their General Education Core completion requirement. The Advising Center informs advisors in the instructional divisions about requirements and notifies them of the status’ of their current advisees. The Advising Center staff regularly make contact with first year students who are referred by faculty and/or showing signs of academic distress. Students who are entering, or re-entering, through the petition process may also be referred to The Advising Center for assistance in navigating their initial semesters at the college. Staff will provide information about services and support available to them during their college career.

Peer Advising Program

The Advising Center offers a Peer Advising Program through which qualified LC State students can assist in advising and supporting new and current students to the college. Interested students can contact The Advising Center for more information about this program.

Career Exploration

Students who are in the process of selecting a major and/or determining a career to pursue following graduation are welcome to participate in various career exploration activities. Students are encouraged to conduct information interviews, job shadows, and to use US Department of Labor career assessment system (www.careeronestop.org) to consider how their interests, values, and skills relate to the world of work. 

The Center for New Directions (CND) helps single parents and displaced homemakers/workers who are in transition to become personally and economically self-sufficient. This service, housed in The Advising Center, provides brief career and educational counseling to help individuals recognize their abilities and interests, set goals, solve problems, and find a positive life direction.