COMPASS
Purpose
The Living Learning Community (LLC) for COMPASS students ("undeclared") provides first year students with the opportunity to share in the excitement of learning about potential majors, career options and opportunities to engage with the campus community. Students are introduced to the academic culture of LMU in a supportive environment in which close relationships are built between faculty and students. Grounded in Jesuit and Marymount traditions, this LLC promotes intellectual curiosity, global perspectives, and a dedication to service. Students will engage with the city of Los Angeles through cultural, educational, and other transformative experiences.
COMPASS provides an opportunity for undeclared first-year students to become immediately connected to a supportive community of faculty, staff, and students. It offers intentional curriculum to help these students identify their interests, strengths, and values, as well as direct them to University resources and programs that will allow them to explore compatible options. Engaging these students their first year will help them build a strong foundation for continued success at LMU. This community is located on the second and third floor of Del Rey North Hall. For more information please contact
Jennifer Belichesky-Larson .
Required Academic Courses
Fall
- COMPASS LIBA Class
- English 110- College Writing
In addition to the required courses in the Fall semester, students are encouraged to take any of the following courses which satisfy University core requirements.
- American Culture Studies 100- Introduction to American Culture
- Philosophy 160-Philosophy of Human Nature
- Psychology 100- Introduction to Psychology
Spring
- COMPASS LIBA Class
- English 150-Introduction to Drama
Meet the Staff
COMPASS Program Coordinator, Jennifer Belichesky-Larson
Jennifer Belichesky-Larson is an alum of California State University at Northridge, Loyola Marymount University and University of California at Los Angeles. She received her B.A. in English Literature from CSUN in 2000. She then went on to LMU where she received a Master's Degree with a double emphasis in English Literature and Rhetoric in '03. After LMU, she pursued a second Master's degree in Higher Education and Organizational Change at UCLA. Jennifer started working at LMU in the Fall of 2002, first as a Teaching Fellow, then as an Adjunct English Professor, and now as the Director of First Year Experience. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, reading, and dreams of becoming the world's next Scrabble champion!
COMPASS Resident Director, Del Rey South, Zach Helsper
Resident Advisor, Nancy Flores
Coming to LMU as a Political Science major, then adding Spanish, then adding a Jewish Studies minor, Nancy Flores, a Senior, has experience the difficulty of decision making and feels she can relate and help incoming compass freshmen. Nancy has been actively involved with Student Housing, Marians Service Organization, and ASLMU. She loves coffee, trying new restaurants, watching Food Network, going to Disneyland, baking, and traveling. She recently participated in an Ignacio Companion trip to Argentina and Uruguay, where she served the homeless communities along with nine other LMU students. Coming to LMU was not an easy decision for her, but it has been the best decision, and cannot wait to show incoming compass students what LMU has to offer!
Resident Advisor, Zach Rigney
Zack Rigney, a California local, is a Junior English Major, with a focus in writing as well as a Screenwriting Minor. He is no stranger to the COMPASS community as he is a recent alumni of the program. He has been active in the community as an Orientation Leader for the Class of 2015, as well as he holds the Man of Principle Chair position for the Beta Theta Pi fraternity on campus. He also has been a host for the Latino Overnight, and Presidential Preview weekend programs. He enjoys helping those new to the LMU community get set into the college lifestyle. He enjoys reading, telling stories, hiking, community service, and most recently found a new fondness for going to Incahoots for line dancing. He is excited to get the new COMPASS students settled in and ready for their first year at LMU!