When students arrive at Lehigh, they bring big ideas, ambitious goals and sometimes a few questions about how to get from their first class to graduation. At Lehigh, their academic journey doesn’t start with guesswork; it starts with a plan.
Whether they’re exploring majors, mapping out internships or preparing for life after graduation, a new suite of advising tools is helping students turn big goals into clear, achievable steps from day one.
Launched this academic year, platforms including Compass, Degree Works and Student Planner are transforming how students navigate their time at Lehigh, making it easier to stay on track, connect with advisors and make confident decisions about the future.
Together, they offer something every student needs: clarity.
A Smarter, More Connected Advising Experience
Academic advising has always been central to the Lehigh experience, but today, it’s more personalized and proactive. This evolution reflects efforts, as part of the Inspiring the Future Makers strategy, aimed at using technology to enhance, not replace, personal interaction.
“Academic advising today is about much more than course selection,” said Emily Ford, who coordinates academic advising at Lehigh. “It’s also about helping students make sense of their entire college experience. With Compass, we’re able to take a more proactive approach, using technology to anticipate student needs while still focusing on what matters most: building relationships, guiding decision-making and connecting students to the full range of resources that support their success both inside and outside the classroom.”
Compass, Lehigh’s customized version of Navigate360, brings everything into one place by connecting students, faculty and staff in a collaborative network that supports each student’s journey. Through a single platform and mobile app, students can schedule appointments, receive reminders and access key academic information.
If challenges arise, students can “raise their hand” to quickly signal a request for support and get connected to the right resources whether that’s academic help, wellness support or guidance on next steps. The platform also encourages collaboration and community. Features such as Study Buddies allow students to connect with classmates who want to study together, while messaging and notifications help keep students informed about important academic milestones.
Tools That Put Students in Control
Alongside Compass, Degree Works and Student Planner give students powerful ways to take ownership of their academic path.
Degree Works provides a real-time view of progress toward graduation, showing completed requirements and what’s ahead. Students can even explore “what-if” scenarios to see how different majors or minors might shape their journey.
Student Planner takes that a step further, says Samson Delson ’28, who is double-majoring in finance and accounting. “It helps students figure out the classes they need each semester, align them with long-term goals like study abroad, internships or graduate school and uploads their choices directly into the registration platform.”
More Time for What Matters
By streamlining scheduling, tracking and communication, these tools free up time for more meaningful advising conversations.
“Compass allows us to be more proactive and more personal at the same time,” Ford said. “We can help students stay on track academically while also guiding them toward internships, campus involvement and the resources that support their overall well-being.”
For students, that shift is noticeable.
“Having everything in one place makes a huge difference for long-term academic planning,” said Delson. “Students can see what they need to graduate, plan ahead and feel confident they’re on the right track. They also have access to platforms like Handshake and Forage to explore their career interests, attend information sessions, learn which internships they plan to apply for and participate in job simulations to learn what they might encounter in a particular role. It made professional development much more accessible.”
Built for Student Success
Behind the scenes, Lehigh is also strengthening collaboration between academic advising and the registrar’s office, ensuring students benefit from a more seamless, coordinated experience.
“What’s exciting about this work is how it brings together areas that were once more siloed,” said Michael Dills-Allen, Registrar at Lehigh. “By aligning the registrar’s office with academic advising, we’re creating a more transparent and coordinated experience for students.”
By connecting tools like Degree Works and Student Planner with advising insights, the university can better anticipate student needs, improve course planning and support progress toward graduation.
“We’re using these tools to better understand and support the full student lifecycle,” Dills-Allen added. “It allows us to spot potential challenges earlier and have more meaningful, timely conversations with students before small issues become bigger obstacles.”
For students, that translates into a more confident and intentional academic experience.
“Students can make informed decisions about their future and feel supported at every step,” Delson said. “Having these tools in place makes it easier to stay on track and focus on what really matters.”
A Pragmatic Solution Driven by a Strategic Vision
This intentional approach to positively impact student outcomes is a hallmark of Inspiring the Future Makers, the strategic plan designed to equip students with the tools they need for academic and life success. Specifically, it represents the efforts of the An Organization of the Future initiative, which aims to make processes and systems more efficient so members of the Lehigh community can focus on their academic, professional and personal goals.
Story by Amy Bilello
