Empowering Students through On-Campus Resources
Learning at the college level can be challenging for any student, but LCU remains dedicated to providing the right resources for each student’s academic journey.
“The Center for Student Success (CSS) is committed to connecting students to resources and people that equip them for self-awareness, personal growth, and their own success,” explained Isaias Miranda, Director of the Center for Student Success. “The CSS offers services including Academic Testing, Accessibility Services, Tutoring, Peer Guides, and Campus Mentoring. Our goal is to create a welcoming environment where students will feel comfortable learning and asking questions.”
For current LCU student Rebecca Kimani, discovering the CSS came in her first semester, where she sought tutoring for her Old Testament class. “My first experience with the CSS was when I heard they had tutors for various subjects, so I went in and signed up to get a tutor for my Old Testament class,” she explained. “Ironically, Bible turned out not to be as difficult as I had anticipated, so my tutor, who was a Criminal Justice major, became my unofficial tutor for the criminal justice course that I was struggling with.”
Peer Tutoring is available to all undergraduate students. Tyler Adams, Tutoring Coordinator, oversees connecting students to peer tutors for weekly tutoring sessions. Students signed up for tutoring receive academic help, tips on how to study or prepare for tests, and peer connections in their area of study.
Another key aspect of the CSS is Accessibility Services, led by Larinda Creel (’97), Accessibility Services coordinator.
“Through Accessibility Services, we provide reasonable and appropriate accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act,” Miranda explained. “In addition to receiving academic accommodations, some students also meet regularly with Mrs. Creel to check in on how their semester is going. The relationships that are built during these meetings are of much value as they allow us to help students when they are struggling and celebrate when students have achieved success.”
“My first experience with the Center for Student Success was when I met with Larinda Creel,” recalled Brooklyn Boyer, a senior from Lubbock. Brooklyn had suffered a life-changing accident about a year before she arrived at LCU, and as she was learning to negotiate the challenges posed by quadraplegia, she needed help with how to approach and manage issues related to her college coursework. “Larinda and I discussed my specific needs and explored the accommodations available to me.”
Another student, Yasmine Anthony, worked with Creel for a different kind of accessibility service, as she dealt with her dyslexia.
“I was diagnosed with dyslexia in the first grade, and although I had received help throughout my years of schooling, I still struggled with reading,” Yasmine explained. “When I started college, I was scared things wouldn’t change—I was embarrassed that I still needed text read to me, and that I couldn’t read as well as others. Larinda made me feel like I shouldn’t be embarrassed and reminded me that my brain works differently and that that’s okay, that it’s the way God made me.”
Another main area that the CSS is available for students is in The Academic Testing Office, which offers various testing services to LCU students like CLEP, end of course examination, and the university skills test. Ingrid Johnson (’12), Testing Coordinator, creates a welcoming and safe environment that is conducive for student success.
Similarly, the CSS also offers one-on-one guidance through the work of Heather Howell (’12) and Krista Duffield, who serve as Campus Mentors. They reach out regularly to freshmen and to first year transfer students with information on resources across campus, study and learning tips, and important dates to remember. Students are invited to meet with the campus mentors to visit about time management, student skills, or how they are adapting to college life. Campus mentors enjoy listening to students’ stories and walking alongside them as they pursue their academic success.
“Campus mentors also work with students who are not in good academic standing or those who have been referred to the CSS by concerned faculty or staff,” Miranda explained. “By reaching out and connecting with these students, they are able to provide resources and accountability that may help improve their GPA and get them back in good academic standing.”
The CSS takes such steps to intervene in a student’s academic journey when made aware a student is struggling from a faculty or staff member’s referral. “A very important part of helping struggling students is to partner with other offices across campus to ensure the student is being served well,” Miranda continued. “We are in constant communication with the Registrar’s Office, Student Life, Financial Assistance, and the Business office to create a safety net and help students succeed in their academic and personal goals.”
One of the most powerful ways in which the CSS serves LCU students is through the various employment opportunities for students to help their classmates—in fact, for many who have received assistance and resources through the CSS, these provide the perfect opportunity to give back.
Kimani now works in the CSS as a Peer Guide, a current student who each summer is tasked with making an intentional connection to all incoming freshman and transfer students. Miranda explained, “Peer guides send important information about setting up student accounts, financial assistance reminders and housing information, but also create an important first connection for incoming students. Peer guides are a vital part in creating excitement among incoming students and them in making a smooth transition from high school to LCU.”
Katelyn Dowell also works in the CSS as a Peer Guide. “I enjoyed encouraging and answering questions from students who were experiencing the same transition I did a year prior,” she explained. “Additionally, by tutoring students in classes that I was once tutored in, I got to see not only my personal growth but also the growth of my peers.”
Anthony now works in the CSS as a student worker, and she echoes the sentiments of her fellow student workers. “To me, the CSS means support, belonging, and giving back” she emphasized. “Most of the students I’ve met there have gone through tough times, and that shared experience makes it easier to connect and support one another. It feels good to be part of a place where everyone understands what it’s like to struggle and still show up. I’ve been helped so much, and now I try to help others the same way.”
“Being able to give back to the people and place that mean so much has been both impactful and rewarding,” echoed Boyer. “It has added purpose in my life to play even a small part in the success of my peers. As someone with a disability, I have really enjoyed being able to have a job that is physically possible for me and allows me to interact with others. The CSS has gone above and beyond to accommodate me and make this possible!”
At the heart of everything the CSS does is an intentional emphasis on relationships—a powerful product of LCU’s promise to walk with students.
“The relationships we build with students and staff across campus play an integral role our work in the CSS,” Miranda shared. “In addition to providing academic support, we can step into a student’s life and know more of their story. We walk with students at low points of their college journey when they may be needing additional support and encouragement. We also have the privilege of celebrating with them when they accomplish academic success or personal growth.”
“I believe the resources offered by the CSS are often the answers to questions many students don’t realize they are asking,” Kimani emphasized. “Whether that’s for assistance in difficult classes, testing accommodations, ESA discussions, or just direct mentorship, the staff that makes up the CSS are intentional, passionate, and available for their students.”
Boyer added, “My experience working with the CSS team over the past four years has been a tremendous blessing. They have believed in me and encouraged me throughout my time here at LCU, and for that, I am beyond grateful!”