Destination Graduation

This year, new students who are degree-seeking will be required to take a one-credit course called Destination Graduation. The class was designed to help students develop an academic plan to reach their goals, and to give them the tools to reach those goals.

“We want to make sure students have the best possible start,” says Susan McNaught, Associate Dean of Academic Development, Communication Arts and Mathematics.

“While part of the course is academic (study skills), a big part is advising and getting connected with an advisor.” says McNaught. Even if you’re not able to take the course from the advisor in your field, you’ll be provided with the resources to get connected with them.

One focus of your instructor will be to ensure you get into the right courses at the right times, and to assist you to not only connect with your advisor, but to help you maintain that relationship.

“It is our hope to impact better student responses about advising as well as help students complete their educational goals in a more efficient and purposeful way,” according to Kathy Chafin, Campus High School Programs. “Although Destination Graduation will focus on resources at the college and the student’s responsibility in their own success, we want to take advantage of DG as a place to introduce the student to the new advising process at LBCC, including a first formal contact with their assigned academic advisor.”

Students will be expected to contact their advisor to develop their academic plan during their first term, and then visit them each term to update their plan, investigate career options, and build that “ever-so-important relationship” between faculty and student, according to Chafin.

Destination Graduation emphasizes a sense of community and a sense of support, providing students with the tools they need to succeed. While it is a mandatory class for new students, Linn-Benton faculty “hopes students will view this not as something they have to do, but as something they get to do,” because it truly is for their benefit.

This course is a great opportunity for everyone, offered to all students, new and returning. It will be offered every term, beginning Fall 2012.