Empowering You For Academic Success

BEAR Central


BEAR Central (Belonging, Equity, Access and Retention) offers resources and services to set you up for academic success.

BEAR Central offers services for all undergraduate and graduate students, including undergraduate advising, undergraduate and graduate student success services, writing and speaking services, tutoring services, peer academic coaching and faculty academic coaching, among other services.

Stop by BEAR Central on the second floor of Rudisill Library anytime to see what is available, whether you need help for an assignment or help planning your semester. We are also available when you find yourself not meeting your own expectations in a course, but don’t wait until then.

Every office and area at Lenoir-Rhyne is committed to student success. The role of BEAR Central is to shore up institutional efforts, strengthen outcomes and directly assist you in navigating your student journey from orientation through graduation and beyond.

Academic Advising & Undergraduate Student Success Services


Academic advising is focused on the development of a plan to achieve a degree that reflects your own unique interests, abilities, goals and values. This plan includes both the coursework required for your degree and learning opportunities and experiences beyond the classroom, including co-curricular activities, study abroad and internships.

Advising and Undergraduate Student Success Services provide general advising services to all first-year and exploratory students as well as success coaching and help with academic planning to any student in need. These services are available for drop-in appointments Monday-Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. We are located in BEAR Central on the second floor of Rudisill Library.

View Academic Advising & Student Success Services
William Stewart

As a transfer student, the counselors and professors have worked with me to decide what I wanted to major in and draw out a detailed map to help me reach that goal of getting a bachelor’s degree.

William Stewart '23, Finance

Tutoring & Peer Coaching Services


BEAR Central draws together a suite of academic services, learning and computer labs, co-curricular programs and enrichment opportunities that support and enhance the educational pursuits of students.

  • Tutoring & Academic Coaching

    Request assistance for a specific course or more general support in areas like time management and study strategies.

  • Writing & Speaking Services

    Writing and Speaking Services puts you in touch with caring, supportive readers/listeners for your work in progress. Whether you’re just starting to work on an assignment or ready to edit, our tutors can help you see your project from your audience’s perspective. 

    We have resources and tutors for writing and public speaking assignments in any course at LR. We can help you with any aspect of your project: developing a thesis or support; organizing; editing; creating visual aids; vocal/physical delivery; and speech anxiety. Our tutors are ready to assist with online presentations as well.

    View Writing & Speaking Services

Academic Probation & Recovery


BEAR Central offers workshops and individual coaching for all students who temporarily find themselves not in good academic standing. These services are available to help you recover from past academic difficulties, return to good academic standing and achieve academic success.

The Academic Probation and Recovery is required for students during their first semester of probation and includes the following:

  • Developing an academic plan
  • Meeting regularly with an assigned faculty fellow
  • Attending a series of academic success workshops
View Academic Probation & Recovery

First-Generation Students


First-generation students are those students whose parents/guardians did not complete a four-year college or university degree. 

Our goal is to help first-generation students tap into their strengths and meet their challenges, in the context of a supportive community of other first-generation students, faculty and staff.

View First-Generation Students

Faculty & Staff


Let us help you successfully navigate your academic journey.

Coordinator of Peer-Learning Assistance and Academic Advisor
625 7th Ave NE, LRU 7540
Hickory, NC 28601
Visit Profile
Director of BEAR Central
625 7th Ave NE, LRU 7097
Hickory, NC 28601
Visit Profile

News & Events

As a child, Carly Godfrey '23, MBA '24, learned to swim at LR. Years later, a spot on the swim team would bring her back to learn so much more and make way for a bright future.

View More

Ellis Horton '24 has been a constant presence in student life and athletics during his years at LR -- and he has kept his long-term goal in sight the whole time.

View More