CASAS moves to new location in Green Hall

After eight years of operation on DeMoss Hall’s second floor, the Center for Academic Support and Advising Services (CASAS) moved July 2013 to the second floor of Green Hall in
room 2668.

According to CASAS Dean Dr. Brian Yates, there were multiple reasons for the transition from DeMoss Hall.

“As the university continues to make infrastructure and program enhancements, space was needed for additional expansion and movement of other academic programs,” Yates said. “The move allowed many of the CASAS entities to be located in one location for a one-stop shop.”

Expansion — A new  location provides more space for CASAS. Photo credit: Lauren Adriance

Expansion — A new location provides more space for CASAS. Photo credit: Lauren Adriance

According to its promotional material, CASAS is a group of services offered to Liberty’s student body. These services range from professional advising to setting up individualized programs of study.

The move to Green Hall has not affected the number of students coming to the center. According to Yates, a record number of students came in during the add/drop period.

One of the busiest entities of CASAS is the professional advising service, according to Professional Adviser Nathan Nettekoven. All freshmen are met with and given advice on planning their degree.

“Professional advising offers assistance that is more beneficial to underclassmen than upperclassman,” Nettekoven said. “Honestly, what we offer is not anything unknown.

Sophomores, juniors and seniors typically don’t have many questions because we are deliberate in meeting with all freshmen and showing every student how to plan their degree.”
Professional Adviser Paige Kappler said that, more than anything, advising offers clarification for students.

“Looking at a degree completion plan can be overwhelming as a new student,” Kappler said. “We are able to take the big picture and break it down into semesters for them, as well as clarify what policies and prerequisites accompany their degree plan.”

Kappler offered advice for new students to set goals and expectations early on and to take ownership of their education. Nettekoven stressed the importance for new students to take their GPA seriously.

“College is an expense, and a student can limit their career choices and grad school options by failing to treat their GPA as the career advancer that it is,” Nettekoven said.

Beyond professional advising, CASAS offers many other services. According to Dean Yates, the Center for Writing and Languages is a place that every student should utilize. He said that good writing skills are essential in the job market, and the writing center can help students become the best writers that they can possibly be.

Yates added that another great program offered through CASAS is technical studies.

“For many students, the various trade courses — carpentry, welding, HVAC, electrical and plumbing — can be used as electives,” Yates said. “You never know when you may use
these skills.”

CASAS also offers assistance in tutoring, testing, career preparation and academic assistance for those with a disability.

Once students graduate, the Career Center still offers its services, according to Yates. The center helps alumni with résumé building, interview skills and connecting with employers through LU Network.

“LU Network is a wonderful tool to help connect employers with Liberty talent and is our version of monster.com,” Yates said.

For more information on CASAS, visit liberty.edu/casas.

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