A Resource Worth Knowing About: The Dean of Students Office at LSUS

The Dean of Students Office has recently relocated to the Noel Memorial Library, creating a more accessible and collaborative space designed to connect LSUS students with support services and resources when they need them.

Many students know the library as a place to study or meet for group projects, but it is now also home to another important campus resource: the Dean of Students Office. Recently relocated from the Administration building to the Noel Memorial Library, the department’s new location reflects a broader effort to make student support services more visible, connected, and easier to access.

For students who may not be familiar with what the Dean of Students Office does, the department focuses on supporting students outside the classroom. This includes areas such as student advocacy, accessibility services, conduct, civil rights and Title IX support, counseling coordination, and upcoming health and wellness initiatives.

According to Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Paula Atkins, the department’s work centers on what she describes as “student care," helping students navigate challenges and connect with the resources they need to succeed. Paula Atkins has worked at LSUS for nearly three decades, beginning as a disability coordinator in Counseling Services and later serving as a counselor and department director before moving into her current role 11 years ago. Over time, her responsibilities have evolved alongside the university.

Today, her office oversees many of the services designed to support students’ well-being, including:

• Civil Rights and Title IX support
• Counseling services
• Accessibility and disability services
• Student conduct
• Advocacy services
• Health and wellness initiatives

Together, these areas form a network of support designed to help students navigate both academic and personal challenges during their time at LSUS.

Before the relocation, many of the services within the Dean of Students area were located in different buildings and offices across campus. Some of these spaces were not originally designed for student support services, which made coordination more difficult and sometimes made it harder for students to find help. The move to the Noel Memorial Library is part of a long-term effort to create a more unified and student-friendly environment. University leadership worked with campus committees for student feedback to identify a location that would better meet the needs of both students and staff.

The library location provides:

• A central and familiar place for students
• Improved accessibility
• A more welcoming environment
• Space designed specifically for student support services

The goal was not simply to move offices, but to create a place where students would feel comfortable seeking help.

One of the main benefits of the new location is that student services are now closer together. This allows staff to connect students with multiple resources more easily. For example, a student who visits the Dean of Students Office for one concern might also benefit from counseling, academic support, or advocacy services. With offices located nearby, staff can personally introduce students to other services rather than sending them across campus. This approach, as Atkins put it, like a “warm handoff” to help students feel more comfortable and increase the likelihood that they will follow through with getting support.

Another goal of the relocation is to help students feel more comfortable reaching out for support earlier. Many students associate the Dean of Students Office with serious problems or disciplinary situations, which can make the office feel intimidating. By placing the department in a more familiar and welcoming setting, staff hope to make the office feel like a normal part of campus life rather than a place students only visit during a crisis.

Over time, the department hopes to see more students seeking help earlier, before challenges become overwhelming. Early support can make a significant difference in helping students stay on track academically and personally.

The Dean of Students Office is also involved in expanding health and wellness services at LSUS. Counseling services currently operate under the department’s leadership, and additional initiatives are in development.

One initiative is TimelyCare, a virtual health care and mental wellness platform that provides students with access to support outside normal campus hours.

Looking ahead, LSUS is exploring plans to bring a physical health clinic to campus. The project is still in the planning phase, with administrators working alongside a student advisory group to determine what services students need most. Funding for these expanded services comes from the student health and wellness fee that is already included in students normal tuition fees.

In addition to counseling and wellness support, the department also works to connect students with essential resources.

Advocacy services help students access support such as:

• The Pilot’s Food Pantry
• Professional clothing closet
• Crisis support supplies
• Connections to community assistance programs

These services aim to help students meet basic needs so they can focus on their education. Because the university cannot provide every type of support directly, the office also helps students connect with off-campus resources when needed.

While the relocation is still recent, the long-term goal is to create a more proactive and connected system of student support. Success will not be measured only by how many students use the office, but by whether students are able to access help earlier and more effectively. Over the next several years, the Dean of Students Office aims to continue expanding services, strengthening collaboration across campus, and making student support easier to navigate.

Although the Dean of Students Office may not always be visible through events or programming, it plays an important role in supporting students behind the scenes. Students are encouraged to become familiar with the office and the resources available, even if they do not need assistance right away.

With its new location in the Noel Memorial Library, the Dean of Students Office is designed to be a place where LSUS students can find support, guidance, and connections to the resources that help them succeed.