Academic Advising
http://catalog.landmark.edu/content.php?catoid=7&navoid=161#educational-technology-services
Academic Advising
Landmark College’s Academic Advising Department supports students in becoming self-reflective, strategic learners. Academic Advisors provide instruction and support in areas of organization, study skills, personal and academic development, course registration and paths to graduation, and self-advocacy. Committed to supporting students in the transition to college, either directly from high school, or as transfer students, the core advising curriculum is especially designed to support students in developing their understanding of their learning strengths and challenges, and examining their approach to academics. A hallmark of the advising program is a focus on metacognition and self-advocacy.
Landmark College advising takes a student-centered, developmentally appropriate approach in working with students to become more self-determined and interdependent members of their living and learning community. Advisors guide students to problem solve and make decisions regarding educational and personal goals. Advisors meet with students regularly to establish goals, provide instruction, monitor and measure progress, and support students in their academic development.
Bachelor degree students in their junior and senior years work with Baccalaureate Advisors who have credentials in related degree disciplines, and who are classroom faculty. Baccalaureate Advisors collaborate with Core Advisors to gain information and insights that will support students’ smooth transition to a model that emphasizes increased student independence, expectations for intellectual engagement, and the application and integration of foundational skills learned in the core advising curriculum. The primary focus of Baccalaureate Advising is to guide students in scholarship and intellectual inquiry in specific disciplines as well as working with students to connect them with our office of Career Connections for internships and future career goals. All advisors support students in identifying appropriate resources, registering for courses, and understanding academic policies.
Student Responsibilities in Advising
We offer a program designed to help students achieve their goals. In order to receive the full benefit of Landmark’s advising program, students need to:
- Regularly attend meetings;
- Actively engage in meetings;
- Honestly communicate with their advisors about any academic, adjustment, or related concerns which may be interfering with academic progress;
- Consistently arrive prepared for advising sessions, and ready to report progress on established goals
Parental Contact
Advisors are the primary source of contact for the parents of students in our educational program. Parents will be provided with contact information for advisors at the beginning of each semester. Parents or guardians can contact advisors with questions regarding their student’s academic program and progress. We encourage students to regularly communicate progress and concerns to their parents or guardians. At the Baccalaureate level, while advisors can provide programmatic information, students are expected to communicate their progress and goals to their parents directly.
In accordance with the Family Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, it is the policy of Landmark College to provide students with the right to limit the dissemination of their educational records. If your student has not signed a FERPA release, Landmark College cannot release any educational records for the student. Contact registrar@landmark.edu if you are unsure about your FERPA status.
Academic Intervention Team
The Academic Intervention Team is a cross-divisional team of administrators that tracks the academic progress of students within each semester. The goal of the team is to identify students where indications of failure in more than one academic course appear. Through ISIS data and communications with advisors and residential deans, students are identified and strategies are determined that may involve scheduling a meeting with the student. Goals of the meeting - which include the student, the advisor and the resident dean - are to establish the sources of the academic problems, strategize possible actions, and formalize a plan upon which the student has agreed to act. The plan is then communicated to families (should permissions exist), current instructors, the student, and the advisor. A follow-up meeting is possible should the student indicate the need. Current representation on the team includes the Advising department, the English department, the First-Year division, Residential Life, Student Conduct, Counseling, and Admissions.
Drake Center for Academic Support (DCAS)
The Drake Center for Academic Support (DCAS), located in the East Academic Building (EAB), offers individualized academic support to students on a daily basis. Designed to provide services and resources that assist students in their coursework, trained faculty and staff work with students in writing, reading, study skills, technology, and time management. In addition to the one-on-one sessions with DCAS faculty, students are also welcome to work independently in the DCAS to complete course assignments.
Educational technology support is also provided in the DCAS by faculty with specific expertise in teaching how to use reading and writing software, IPAD applications, and integration of applications across devices. Students are encouraged to make appointments to review, learn, or enhance their practical application of these technologies.
Students often find using the DCAS for support, whether it be training in using Kurzweil, or sessions to organize their papers, helpful in meeting deadlines and completing course assignments. DCAS is dedicated to helping students develop skills and strategies so that they become more confident, active, and independent learners.
In addition to our primary support offerings in DCAS, help in specific academic disciplines is offered including mathematics, computer science, and business. Often co-located to the DCAS, students can make appointments or drop in for assistance with course assignments.
Study Abroad
Landmark College’s Study Abroad Programs are designed with our students’ diverse learning profiles in mind and academic support is provided throughout our programs abroad. Courses are taught or supervised by our own faculty and credits earned while on Study Abroad can fulfill Landmark College requirements. Our Study Abroad Programs help students gain confidence and independence - both academically and personally - while exploring a culture other than their own. Courses are offered at a variety of levels within the College, but a typical program requires successful completion of at least one semester at the credit level. Some programs have specific course prerequisites. All participants in Study Abroad must be in “good standing” and approved by the Director of International Education. See the Landmark website for specifics of upcoming study abroad opportunities.
Coaching
One-on-One Coaching provides individual coaching support for students who are ready to work in a focused way on developing their executive function and problem-solving skills in an academic setting. Coaches work with students to help them gain greater control over their academic performance as students develop understanding of how they work. Through a process of experimentation and practice, students develop skills and strategies that enable them to become increasingly independent and effective in creating satisfying lives at college. Any student who is ready to commit time and energy to setting goals and engaging in a process of change may request One-on-One Coaching by emailing coaching@landmark.edu.
Digital Text Services (DTS)
Digital Text Services in the Library provides scanning services and electronic copies of purchased textbooks and course materials. DTS:
- Provides more than 725 course texts formatted for Kurzweil and PDF
- Scans primary course texts (texts chosen by instructors)
- Grants student access to digital copies of course texts
- Helps students find digital copies of other books
- Helps faculty obtain clean hard copies for coursepacks
Landmark College Library
Located in the heart of the campus, the Library supports students’ intellectual and personal growth.
The Front Desk
This is the initial contact point for everyone who comes to the Library. Students may request research assistance, first-level help with computer software, circulation assistance, and general information at this location. As the sign above this desk invites, we want students to “Ask Us.” The staff member at the front desk also answers questions via live chat from the Library website.
Learning Disabilities, ADHD, and ASD Research Collection
The Library offers a comprehensive, in-depth, and growing collection of books, periodicals, and audiovisual material emphasizing learning differences, with a focus on attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), specific learning disabilities such as dyslexia, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This extensive collection supports the faculty and staff of Landmark College in providing an exemplary educational experience for our students. As part of the Landmark College curriculum, students use the collection to learn more about their learning profiles and the evolving fields of learning disabilities, ADHD, and ASD.
Online Resources
The Library subscribes to dozens of online article databases that provide access to thousands of full-text journals, magazines, newspapers, newsletters, and reference materials. Dozens of the Library’s print reference books are also available online, in addition to well over 170,000 e-books. A comprehensive academic streaming video collection allows 24/7 access to educational content from award-winning providers. Students can use all of these resources, as well as the Library’s subject-specific research guides, anywhere on campus through the Library’s website. By using their SharkNet password, students can access all of these resources from off campus as well.
Digital Course Texts
In collaboration with Information Technology Services, the Library provides access to a digital collection of the primary course texts used in Landmark College courses. By adhering to stringent rules to protect copyright, the Library can allow students who purchase or rent a print textbook to have additional access to a digital version of that textbook. This service allows students to use various text-to-speech technology tools to read and study textbooks, coursepacks, and other assigned text as needed.
General Collection
In addition to its specialized collections, the Library contains a growing collection of books, e-books, DVDs, audiobooks, audio CDs, periodicals, and other resources appropriate to Landmark’s liberal arts curriculum. These materials are on the second floor of the Library. They are purchased for a variety of reading levels to support students in their academic work and leisure time. Interlibrary loans are available for items not found in our collection. The general collection currently consists of approximately 27,000 print volumes, 2,800 audiovisual titles, and 120 print periodical titles.
Computers and Wireless Access
A computer lab classroom with 16 workstations is available in the basement of the Library. This lab is used for research instruction, class projects, special faculty and staff training, and as a space for work and study. This space is available to be reserved anytime during class periods, and for quiet study whenever it is not reserved. The entire Library is also set up for wireless access to the College’s network from students’ notebook computers. In addition, the Library has individual workstations with scanners and software for the purpose of incorporating text, audio, graphics, and video into presentations, course materials, classroom activities, and projects.
Help Desk/Technology Support Services
The Help Desk, operated by Information Technology Services, is the primary contact point for the notebook computer program, as well as hardware and network questions on campus. It is located on the second floor of the Library.
Information Literacy and Research Instruction
Faculty and librarians partner in helping students to develop information literacy through small and large-scale research projects, research instruction for classes, and individualized assistance to students. Information literacy, which is the “ability to recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate and use effectively the needed information” (Association of College and Research Libraries), is supported throughout the curriculum as a general education goal.
Study Space
The air-conditioned Library is a popular place to read, study, and relax. Many tables for individual and small-group study are available throughout the Library. For relaxing there are comfortable chairs and a well-lit atrium area. Next to the basement computer lab is a group study room that includes a large flat-screen monitor to project a student’s computer screen for small-group collaboration. Another group study room on the first floor provides further opportunity for student collaboration. The second floor offers four individual study rooms for use by students individually or in pairs.
Career Connections
Career Connections is here to help students take the next step towards their career, whether that be securing an internship, discussing a transfer plan, or researching academic fields of study and future career paths that will maximize their strengths and skills. We provide a welcoming space for self-exploration and the development of independent skills needed to pursue careers and other academic programs beyond Landmark.
Career Connections works with students through individual appointments, workshops, campus events, and providing resources for students to work on their goals independently.
Career Connections can help students:
- Explore interests and values and how they relate to college and career choices
- Discover career pathways, economic trends, and workforce needs
- Develop a résumé and cover letter, and initiate a job search and prepare for an interview
- Navigate disclosure issues within the employment setting
- Explore internship, volunteer, and related opportunities
- If transferring, developing a list of colleges and universities that are the best fit for the student
- Strategize the components of college transfer applications and essay development
- Prepare for college visits and admissions interviews
It is recommended that you start working with Career Connections staff at least two semesters before your intended goal, such as transferring to another college, finding an internship, or joining the workforce. Landmark College maintains internships and employment partnerships with numerous businesses and organizations across the country, in addition to maintaining transfer partnerships with numerous college and universities. Please contact Career Connections for more information on these partnerships.
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