Academic Advising
Program Mission
The Academic Advising program provides students with personal guidance from faculty members in making sound academic choices relevant to their interests and abilities.
Program Goals
- To have students graduate in their chosen discipline(s) in a timely fashion.
- To have students maintain good academic standing while at college.
- To provide adequate, timely information on student progress to advisors to effect proactive and formative remediation of academic issues.
Lees-McRae College is dedicated to offering students quality academic advising. All students at Lees-McRae College are assigned to a faculty academic advisor. Throughout the advising process, students have the opportunity to work with their advisor to receive assistance regarding academic choices.
The faculty advisor assists students in achieving academic success. Incoming students meet with an individual academic advisor before they begin classes. This academic advisor works with the student to design a personal course schedule, discuss campus resources, and explore potential academic majors.
First Year Students
New students entering the college in the Fall semester each year are invited to attend one of several scheduled Summer Advising and Registration events held between May and August of their year of entry. During this day, students will take the COMPASS placement tests for reading, writing, and math, as needed, in order to determine the best level courses for successfully beginning their college studies. A group of faculty and trained peer advisors will guide new students through the advising and registration process to ensure they end their day with a Fall class schedule tailored to their individual needs.
Part of that schedule will include a First Year Seminar (FYS) course which will be taught by a specially trained faculty member that will also be the student’s academic advisor during their first year at college. Through regular meetings of this small class, the FYS instructor and the student build a relationship and will meet outside of class time to discuss academic progress and future class scheduling. Once the student is ready to formally declare a major area of study, the FYS instructor will help the student complete the necessary form and transition to a new academic advisor in the chosen discipline.
New students entering the college in the Spring semester will work with the Director of Academic Advising, Dr Fiona Chrystall, to take the necessary COMPASS placement tests and create a class schedule for the spring semester. Placement testing at an approved ACT Remote Testing Center is possible if the student’s home is at a considerable distance from the college campus in Banner Elk. Advising and registration for classes can be accomplished via telephone, email, or in person.
Transfer Students
Transfer students often come to Lees-McRae College ready to declare their major. Initially, the student will work with the Director of Academic Advising, Dr Fiona Chrystall, to determine a class schedule for their first semester at the college. This may be done via telephone, email, or in person. Upon completion of a major declaration form, the student will be assigned an academic advisor in their chosen discipline for future advising and class scheduling. Transfer students who are still undecided as to which major to pursue will work with Dr Chrystall and others across the college to determine their skills and interests. Dr Chrystall, or another member of the Student Success faculty, will be assigned as the student’s academic advisor until a decision is reached.
Any student who has questions concerning academic advising should contact Dr. Fiona Chrystall at chrystallf@lmc.edu (or 828-898-8760).
Academic Advising Resources for Students
Go to www.go.lmc.edu/webadvisor to access the following information
- Course Schedules
- Check your grades
- Print a copy of your class schedule
- View/print your academic transcript
The current College Catalog
The college website provides extensive information about each academic major and minor.