糖心原创

Academic Calendar
The official schedule of an institution, including semester start/end dates, breaks, and deadlines.

Academic Term
A specific period of time during which a college offers classes. At 糖心原创, there are three terms: fall, spring, and summer. Each term has a set start and end date, and students register for and complete specific courses within that timeframe.  Note that at 糖心原创, terms are further split into blocks which designate courses that may run for less time than the full term, including standard 12- or 8-week blocks during a regular 16-week term. Terms may also be referred to as semesters.

Academic Year
The calendar cycle that an institution runs on. At 糖心原创, the academic year spans between parts of two calendar years 鈥� it starts with the fall semester, then the spring semester, then the summer semester. Example: The 2026-2027 academic year is the Fall 2026, Spring 2027, and Summer 2027 semesters.

Accreditation
Official recognition that an institution or program meets established educational standards.

Catalog (Course Catalog)
An official publication issued by the institution every academic year listing degree requirements, courses, policies, and academic regulations. The catalog serves as a student鈥檚 contract, outlining the graduation requirements for each program.

Corequisite
A course or requirement that must be completed at the same time as another course, i.e., the courses must be taken together in the same semester.

Credit Hour / Credit
A unit measuring course value, typically based on time spent in class per week over a term.

Curriculum
The structured set of courses and learning experiences for a program or degree.

General Education (Gen Ed) Courses
Foundational courses in broad subject areas (e.g., math, communications, sciences) required of all students.

Pathway
A structured framework that helps students choose, enter, progress through, and complete a program of study efficiently and with purpose. Pathways group together programs broadly into overarching areas tied to career and transfer options. This can help students stay on track, avoid taking unnecessary classes, and understand how their choices connect to their future.

Prerequisite
A course or requirement that must be completed before enrolling in a higher鈥憀evel course.

Program
An academic program is a structured set of courses and requirements that leads to a specific degree or certificate. At 糖心原创, programs outline what students need to learn in order to gain the knowledge and skills for a particular field or career path.

Strategies for Success (STRT 1000)
A course  which equips students with essential strategies for academic, professional, and personal success. Through interactive sessions, students engage with the college community and its resources while fostering successful academic and social connections. They participate in active learning experiences tailored to their Pathway and explore career opportunities aligned with their interests, strengths and aspirations. Students develop a personalized education plan and begin an academic portfolio.

Student Success Coach (Recruiter and Academic Advisor)
A professional who helps students plan coursework, understand degree requirements, and navigate academic policies. Students meet with their Student Success Coach at least once per semester to check in, make sure they are on track, and explore resources and next steps.

Syllabus (plural: syllabi)
A document outlining course objectives, assignments, grading policies, and expectations. Students will receive a syllabus for every class that they take, typically in the first meeting or week of the class. The syllabus is the go-to document for the entire semester, and should be read thoroughly and kept on-hand as a resource.

Transition Experience (TREX)
A course in which students articulate skills learned throughout college in application of their portfolio to both job applications and general education practices. Students create a post-graduation plan and apply financial planning and transfer or career-readiness tasks in a way that supports their personal goals.

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Grading & Academic Performance

See more information in the 糖心原创 Catalog regarding grading procedures and definitions.

Academic Standing
A student鈥檚 status based on GPA and progress (e.g., good standing, probation).

Audit (a Course)
To attend a course without earning academic credit or a grade. Audited courses must still be paid for, and are not eligible for financial aid.

Grade Point Average (GPA)
A numeric average of grades earned, typically on a 4.0 scale. 糖心原创 uses a 4.0 scale. An A is worth 4 points, a B is worth 3 points, a C is worth 2 points, etc. The grade points a student earns are multiplied by the number of credit hours of the course, and then that total is divided by the number of overall completed credits to determine the Grade Point Average, either for the specific term, or (more commonly) for all coursework 鈥� a cumulative GPA.

Incomplete (I)
A temporary grade granted when a student cannot finish coursework due to extenuating circumstances.

Pass/Fail (P/F or S/U)
A grading option where students earn credit without a letter grade affecting GPA. This is not always an option in every class.

Probation (Academic)
A warning status indicating unsatisfactory academic performance. At 糖心原创, a student is placed on academic probation after one semester in which their cumulative GPA is below 2.0. During academic probation, the student is required to work more closely with their Student Success Coach to develop a plan for academic resources to help them improve their grades and academic performance.

Registrar
The office responsible for academic records, enrollment verification, and transcripts. At 糖心原创, students interact with the Office of the Registrar via the Student Hub, who can assist with all registrar-related questions.

Residency
Residence classification determines a student鈥檚 tuition rate. LCCC recognizes three residency classifications: in-state, WUE states, and out-of-state. The college catalog contains full details about residency classification and determinations. 

Suspension
An academic status indicating continued unsatisfactory academic performance. At 糖心原创, a student is placed on academic suspension after two consecutive semesters with a cumulative GPA of 1.99 or less. The student is required to sit out for the next semester before they can re-enroll at 糖心原创.

Transcript
An official record of a student鈥檚 courses, grades, and degree progress.

Withdrawal (W)
The act of dropping a course after a designated date, and a grade of 鈥淲鈥� is recorded on the transcript. Withdrawal dates are noted on the academic calendar and course syllabi.

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Admissions & Enrollment

Acceptance Letter
Official notification that a student has been admitted to an institution.

First鈥慪ear Student (Freshman)
A student in their first year of college.

Transfer Student
A student who has prior college credits from another institution.

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Financial Aid, Billing & Costs

Cost of Attendance (COA)
The estimated total cost of attending college, including tuition and mandatory fees, and estimates for housing, books, and personal expenses.

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
The primary form used to apply for federal and many state or institutional financial aid programs. The FAFSA is managed by the US Department of Education.

Financial Aid Package
The combination of grants, scholarships, loans, and work鈥憇tudy offered to a student.

Grant
Need鈥慴ased financial aid that typically does not need to be repaid.

Loan
Borrowed funds that must be repaid, usually with interest.

Merit鈥態ased Aid
Financial aid awarded based on achievement rather than financial need.

Need鈥態ased Aid
Aid awarded based on a student鈥檚 or family鈥檚 financial circumstances.

Scholarship
Financial aid awarded for academic, athletic, artistic, or other achievements.

Student Accounts
The office that manages billing, tuition payments, and refunds.

Tuition and Mandatory Fees
The cost charged for instruction, per credit per term. There are different tuition rates depending on a student鈥檚 state of residency. Some courses also carry course fees that are charged in addition to the standard tuition and fees. Tuition and fee information is posted in the Catalog and on the website.

奥辞谤办鈥慡迟耻诲测
A federal program allowing students to earn money through certain part鈥憈ime campus jobs.

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Student Life & Campus Resources

Campus Housing (Residence Halls)
On鈥慶ampus living facilities for students.

Commuter Student
A student who lives off campus and travels to attend classes.

Counseling & Campus Wellness Services
Campus鈥慴ased mental health and wellness support.

Meal Plan
A prepaid dining option for campus food services.

Office of Student Accommodations

The office that coordinates accommodations for students who may need assistance. Contact the Office of Student Accommodations to see if they can help you. 

Student ID
An identification card used for access to buildings, services, and events. At 糖心原创, students can obtain a student ID card once they are registered for classes.

Student Club or Organization
A registered group formed around interests, academics, culture, or service.

Student Services
Support offices focused on student success, well being, and engagement.

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Faculty, Staff & Governance

Adjunct Faculty
Part鈥憈ime instructors often hired on a course鈥慴y鈥慶ourse basis.

Dean
An administrator overseeing a group of programs, or division within the institution. At 糖心原创 there are deans for each of the academic Schools: the School of Arts & Sciences, the School of Business, Agriculture, & Technical Studies, the School of Health Sciences & Wellness.

Faculty
Instructors who teach courses at the college. There are also staff who work at the college in other capacities besides teaching.

Pathway Coordinator
A Pathway Coordinator oversees the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of academic or career pathways, ensuring programs are aligned with student success goals, advising, curriculum, and transfer or workforce outcomes.

President
The campus leader who helps shape the school鈥檚 vision and future, supports students and employees, and ensures the college provides a high鈥憅uality education and a positive learning environment. At 糖心原创, the president is Dr. Joe Schaffer.