As CBU’s Director of Academic Support, Dr. Lurene Kelley is a problem-solver. When students seek extra help with academics or face trouble, such as academic probation, she and her team respond with compassion and recommendations.

“They’re trying to be college students and have experiences outside the classroom, too,” said Dr. Kelley, who joined the CBU staff in April 2019 to help launch the university’s online learning program and transitioned to her current role 18 months ago.

“College is very important to them, but we also have to take into account their full lives and how we can support them through that,” she added. “A big part of my job is talking to students and finding out about some of the things happening in their lives beyond the classroom.”

• The Office of Academic Support directly services more than 50 percent of the CBU undergraduate student population through four service areas:
• Academic Success Plans for students who are on academic probation, are in danger of losing a scholarship, or simply are seeking help to do better academically;
• Accommodations to provide classroom support for students with a documented disability;
• Dreamer Services assists students and keeps them informed in an ever-changing landscape and
• First Year Experience is a special program in which every freshman at CBU is assigned a peer mentor to help them acclimate to life on campus.

The Office of Academic Support also conducts outreach to hundreds of other students in coordination with faculty, Financial Aid, the Business Office, the Registrar, and Student Affairs.

“Dr. Kelley’s commitment to her students is unmatched: attentive, supportive, and dedicated,” said Wilson Phillips, administrative coordinator in the Student Affairs Office.

“In her own way, she embodies our Lasallian charism with a focus on supporting quality education and advocating for her students,” he said. “Always willing to go above and beyond, Dr. Kelley makes a difference for all who walk in her office.”

Problems raised by students can be complex or relatively straightforward.

“We are the clearinghouse when students don’t know where to go,” said Dr. Kelley. “Many of our students have other obligations to their families. Some are caregivers in different ways. They have jobs or help get their siblings to school. They have big lives going on.”

Sometimes, it just takes some real-world experience and institutional knowledge—for example, some students aren’t aware that it is OK to change their major—or creative thinking.

“We look at students’ whole lives and see if there are any adjustments they can make to make their journey more successful,” said Dr. Kelley. “This could be as simple as registering early, so maybe you don’t have to take that 8 a.m. class if you work late nights or adjust your number of classes or work hours to be more realistic for your circumstances.”

The focus CBU gives to the well-being of its students is part of what drew Dr. Kelley to the university. No stranger to Catholic education, she attended a Catholic high school and earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Gonzaga University, a Jesuit institution.

“One of the biggest things that I really like about CBU and the Lasallian mission is this sense of walking with the student, along with the respect given to all persons,” said Dr. Kelley.

“When I think about De La Salle, I think about partnering with students and not really having that paternalistic view,” she said. “It’s a very modern approach that we now see in parenting, but it’s been going on for a long time. When I walk with a student, I want to know so much more about their lives—the challenges and rewards that they face.”

Dr. Jack Hargett, Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs, has observed how generous Dr. Kelley is with her time, meeting with students throughout the day and continuing to work with them well beyond normal business hours.

“With a committed focus on individual student success planning, Lurene truly embodies what it means to be a Lasallian educator,” said Dr. Hargett.

Prior to joining CBU, Dr. Kelley spent five years as a television reporter, including at WREG-TV, and 14 years at the University of Memphis as an instructor and professor. She also managed communication for the Shelby County Public Defender’s office. Her husband, Chris Kelley (MBA ‘06), is the executive director of the Barret School of Banking, which is housed on CBU’s campus.

“College is not just about getting a degree,” said Dr. Kelley. “The GPA is the practical part of it. Really, it’s about growth. I love it when students grow in their confidence. When students struggle, they feel they don’t belong. Sometimes, it’s just a matter of finding where you fit.”

Dr. Kelley’s office is in Buckman Hall.