Freshman Advising Program
Lyon College provides a special orientation program for entering students centered on COR 100, Freshman Orientation, a one-semester orientation course in the Core Curriculum.

The program seeks to assist students by helping them acquire skills needed to make a smooth transition from high school to college and to be successful at Lyon. Built around a series of planned activities, the course brings beginning students together in advising groups of about twelve students. Each group has a faculty mentor and two upper-class student mentors. The faculty mentors work closely with their advisees, helping them in their effort to make a good start on their college careers.

Beginning before classes start in the fall, sessions and activities are held to acquaint new students with the campus, college life, and each other. After classes begin, groups meet regularly during the first semester to monitor progress and discuss problems. Students continue to work closely with their faculty mentor until they declare a major and choose a major adviser.

Students earn one credit toward their degree by successfully completing the program, but more importantly, they gain a sense of belonging, a supportive group of peers, and caring people to turn to for help and guidance. All full-time, incoming students who have completed 10 or fewer hours must participate in the Freshman Advising program. Any exceptions must be approved by the Dean of Students. To complete the program, students must attend all sessions and required convocations.

The Career Development Center
The Career Development Center provides guidance in career exploration, planning, and decision-making as well as job search strategies and graduate school selection and application. The Center coordinates campus recruiting visits of corporate recruiters, visits to job fairs, an on-campus graduate school fair, and may schedule interviews with prospective employers. The Center makes available a for-credit career preparation course for all students.

Resources available through the Center include a career information web site, a library of career exploration tools, occupational files, professional and graduate school information, employer directories, guides to job search skills, and position vacancy listings. Individual assistance and workshops are provided to assist with resume and cover letter preparation, interview skills, the use of technology for career exploration, and career decision-making. Job listings include part-time and full-time, experiential education opportunities and internships. CHOICES CT, a computer-assisted career guidance program, is available to all students. Interest inventories and individual career exploration resources are also available to assist students as they examine career opportunities.

Counseling Services
Lyon College Counseling Services is committed to helping all students achieve maximum benefit from attending Lyon. Services are provided by a full-time licensed counselor. These services strive to meet the psychological needs of students by providing a safe, supportive, and confidential environment that empowers students to explore personal and interpersonal concerns. For most students, the college years represent many unique challenges. This time is one of significant personal growth and decision making regarding one’s values, inter-personal relationships, and life goals, all within a challenging academic environment. Even the most successful student may experience difficulty with these challenges.

Students can be seen individually for appointments at no cost to the student. Programs are also offered through this office relating to mental health issues. Books on different topics are available for checkout and a pamphlet assortment is available at no cost. Local community resources are also available to students through referral by the college counselor. Any costs associated with the use of community resources are the responsibility of the student.

Health and Wellness
The Health and Wellness program is directed and staffed by a part-time registered nurse with a consulting physician available. Clinical services are provided to students Monday through Friday. Services include: symptomatic treatment of minor illnesses and injuries, screening programs, health counseling, and resource information. Referral to a physician, a community agency, or other health or acute care facility is at the student’s expense. Each student is required to have health insurance either through the College or through a private carrier. Requirements of Health and Wellness and the Arkansas Health Department for matriculation at Lyon College are completion of a health record and an official record of immunization for Rubeola (measles), Rubella and Tetanus, and a TB skin test.

Testing Services
Lyon serves as a national test center for the American College Test (ACT), Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), Pre-professional Skills Test (PPST), Graduate Record Exam (GRE), and National Teacher Exam (NTE). The Core Battery and Specialty Area of the NTE are administered in the fall, spring, and summer. A testing calendar and registration materials are provided in the Personnel Office. Correspondence tests will also be proctored for a small fee. An appointment is necessary.

Edwards Commons
Edwards Commons includes the College Union and Edwards Dining Hall. The College Union offers a variety of leisure activities and areas for relaxation. A large, comfortable lounge area, television room, and open patios offer students places to conduct meetings, talk, or sponsor student activities. The Snack Bar serves snacks, sandwiches, and cold drinks in an eating area centered around a fireplace. A student game room offers table tennis, billiards, and Foosball. Located near the entrance of the Union, the College Bookstore offers educational materials and supplies, toiletries, gifts, cards, and sportswear, in addition to the textbooks, lab supplies, and study aids needed for course work. Student mailboxes are located near the center of the building.

The Edwards Dining Room, built in 1983, contains a large central dining room, smaller meeting rooms, kitchen and serving areas, a gallery corridor, and the President’s Dining Room. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served daily throughout the school year.

Campus Safety
Security service is provided by professional safety personnel. Staff members enhance the safety of people and property on campus, interact with students to increase their awareness of security and safety issues, assist with energy conservation, and help maintain college policies.

Upward Bound Programs
The College hosts two Upward Bound programs, which assist selected area high school students in preparing for college and provide Lyon students opportunities to serve as mentors, counselors, and tutors. The APPLE Project serves students throughout the school year and during a summer residential session; the Regional Math/Science Center brings students from a five-state region for a summer enrichment in math and science.

Other helpful Student Services links:
APPLE Project
Career Development Center
Counseling Services
Campus Dining Services
Health Services
Religious Life
Upward Bound Math-Science