Office of the Dean of Students

Drawing its inspiration from LAU’s mission to educate the whole person, the Office of the Dean of Students is charged with providing students with opportunities for academic growth and personal development in order to enrich their overall experience at LAU. Each student is seen as a professional-in-training, deserving high-quality service and personalized attention.

New Student Orientation

The New Student Orientation is organized twice annually by the Office of the Dean of Students, at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters.

The New Student Orientation aims to:

Introduce students to various academic programs, services and activities that support their academic and personal success,
Acquaint new students with university life and further encourage them to become active members of the LAU community,
Familiarize students with the campus, and main resources available online and on campus, and
Address issues and problems that students may face as they strive to become active members of the LAU community.

The New Student Orientation plays an essential role in welcoming new students into the LAU community and promoting an environment that supports their academic success, personal growth, and engagement with the university’s values.

Academic Advising Services

Academic Advising Services aim at assisting all students in understanding the purposes, opportunities and challenges of higher education. The Academic Advisors assist students in developing and implementing an educational plan consistent with their interests, abilities and career aspiration. They also strive to:

Communicate to prospective and current students’ relevant information on the university’s undergraduate and graduate programs, admission requirements, course selection, required prerequisites , degree requirements and University academic rules and regulations.
Provide group and individualized advising sessions to newly admitted students to assist them in course registration process.
Monitor the progress of freshman students, ensuring attainment of freshman equivalency to the Lebanese Baccalaureate, and, declaration of majors.
Encourage, trust , good rapport and open communication culture with students to enhance their academic performance and improve retention rates.
Offer comprehensive academic counseling, including identifying areas for improvement and assisting students in addressing academic challenges.
Identify students experiencing academic difficulties, evaluate their situations, and develop customized action plans to support their academic progress, including mentorship initiatives utilizing university resources.
Provide holistic students support through assessing non-academic needs and directing students to specialized staff, such as university counselors, for assistance with issues such as test anxiety, anger management, or depression.
Collaborate with career advisors to assess students’ career interests using assessment tools, and empower them to develop educational plans compatible with their aspirations and aptitudes.
Design and deliver student workshops on essential academic and life skills to support students personal and academic growth.

In summary, Academic Advising Services play a crucial role in facilitating students’ academic journeys, providing guidance, support, and resources essential for their success in higher education and progress towards graduation.

Advising and Registration for Newly Admitted Students

Advising and Registration for Newly Admitted Students take place prior to the start of each semester. The objective is to organize students into small groups of 20-25 students. During these sessions, the Academic Advisors:

Ensure that the new students understand the fundamental academic information necessary for selecting appropriate courses,
Review and approve their course selections.
Address any inquiries regarding their major, course registration, or other concerns.
Facilitate connections with additional campus services.

Academic Success Center

The Academic Success Center offers complimentary tutoring services to students, free of charge, to support them in reaching their academic potential. While these services come at no cost to students, tutors are compensated by the University for their work and commitment. It provides tutoring sessions for a wide array of introductory, intermediate, and advanced courses spanning numerous disciplines across most Schools.
Tutors are academically excelling students from various majors and they are appointed in coordination with their respective departments.

Peer Mentorship Program

The Peer Mentorship Program supports first-year students in their transition to university life by pairing them with experienced mentors from the same major. Mentors provide guidance on academic expectations, campus resources, and student life. The program helps students build confidence, stay engaged, and feel connected to the university community. This support continues throughout the first academic year to ensure consistency and continuity. Participation is offered at no cost to students, while mentors are compensated by the University for their time and commitment.

For more information, visit the Academic Advising page.

Career Development Services

Career advisors actively engage graduate and undergraduate students, as well as alumni in exploring diverse career pathways, improving planning skills, formulating job search strategies, and defining career objectives. Specifically, career advisors help students:

Clarify their academic and career interests and choose the right field of study,
Identify their strengths and career interests through structured assessments and guided self-reflection,
Tailor career path and options to align with their majors,
Develop a strategic plan to achieve their career objectives,
Craft effective résumés and cover letters,
Explore effective job search techniques,
Prepare for interviews and strengthen communication and negotiation skills,
Conduct thorough research and evaluation of job offers to make informed decisions.
Build career readiness for the evolving job market through Forage, a free, virtual job simulation platform offering hands-on experiences created by leading global companies.

The Career Development Services foster productive partnerships with local, regional, and international employers to enhance graduates’ employability prospects. To this end, annual events such as the Career Fair and Consulting Week are organized, providing opportunities for both local and international companies to engage with LAU students for full-time, part-time, and internship positions. Additionally, professional development workshops and career guidance events are regularly conducted throughout the academic year. Furthermore, collaborative efforts with the Alumni Relations Office result in the Coordination of the mentoring program and in the organization of an Annual Business Networking Reception, facilitating meaningful connections between employers and graduates. The Career Development Services also collaborate with academic departments to improve the integration of career development into the student experience through activities such as CV writing workshops and panel discussion to expose students to diverse career paths.

The Career Development Services facilitate liaison between students, alumni, career advisors, and employers through JobTeaser – the LAU International Career Portal. In addition, a targeted JobTeaser campaign is implemented to equip students with the skills to effectively navigate the platform and fully leverage its available opportunities.

For more information and upcoming events, click here.

Student Life Services

Your university experience is about more than what happens inside the classroom, it is about discovering who you are, what you care about, and how you can make an impact.

At LAU, we believe in empowering you to shape your own journey. Through a vibrant ecosystem of student-initiated clubs, societies, and chapters, you have the opportunity to nurture your intellectual curiosity, build lifelong friendships, and develop into a self-confident leader.

Whether you want to advance your career, celebrate your heritage, or simply explore a new hobby/passion, there is a space for you here within our three main categories of student organizations. Through our Professional and Academic groups, such as the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) or the Pre-Med Club, you can get a head start on your career by networking with alumni, attending guest speaker sessions, and connecting with industry leaders in Lebanon and beyond.

If you are looking to embrace LAU’s rich diversity, our National and Cultural clubs help international students feel at home, allowing you to connect with peers from your home country while sharing your unique culture with the wider campus.

Finally, our Interests and Entertainment organizations invite you to dive into your passions with groups like the Astronomy Club or the Debate Club, providing practical, dynamic spaces where critical thinking and creativity thrive.

How We Support You

The Student Life Services is your catalyst for success. We are here to help you bring new clubs to life and ensure they run smoothly.

Alongside dedicated faculty and staff advisors, we provide strategic direction, mentorship, and access to vital university resources. Our goal is to create an inclusive environment where you can step into leadership roles and hone the 21st-century skills that today’s employers are looking for.

Make a Real-World Impact

Our students don’t just stay on campus; they change the world around them. Many of our clubs, such as the Red Cross and Rotaract, lead vital community engagement campaigns. Through these hands-on initiatives, you will build a deep sense of civic responsibility and use your voice to positively contribute to Lebanese society and the world at large.

Ready to find your passion and make your mark? Step into a community of proactive changemakers and responsible global citizens. Visit the Club Webpage to interact with thousands of students and embark on your life-enriching, co-curricular experience at LAU today!

Athletics Department

The Lebanese American University is committed to promoting student wellness, physical fitness, competitive excellence, and school spirit through a comprehensive athletics and recreation program. Students are encouraged to participate in varsity athletics, club sports, intramural competitions, fitness programs, and recreational activities that support both personal development and campus engagement.

The Athletics department provides opportunities for students of all skill levels, from high-performance student-athletes representing the University in intercollegiate competitions to students seeking recreational and wellness-based activities.

Varsity Athletics

The university sponsors official varsity teams that represent the institution in local and international competitions. These teams compete under the regulations and eligibility standards established by the athletic department and university policies.

Varsity Sports Offered:

Team Sports (Men’s & Women’s)

Basketball
Volleyball
Football
Handball
Futsal
Rugby (Men’s only)

Individual Sports (Mixed)

Track & Field
Swimming
Tennis
Table Tennis
Badminton

Eligibility Requirements:

Students participating in varsity athletics must:

Maintain satisfactory academic standing as defined by University regulations
Meet all medical clearance requirements
Comply with conduct and discipline standards
Satisfy eligibility requirements established by the University and athletic associations

Student-Athlete Academic Responsibilities:

Student-athletes are expected to maintain academic progress toward degree completion. Participation in athletics does not exempt students from academic requirements, attendance policies, examinations, or academic deadlines.

Academic advising and support services may be provided to assist student-athletes in balancing academic and athletic responsibilities.

Athletic Scholarships

The University may offer athletic scholarships or grants to eligible student-athletes based on athletic performance, academic standing, and institutional policies.

Scholarship recipients must comply with renewal conditions, academic standards, and participation expectations established by the University.

Club Sports

Club sports provide students with the opportunities for organized competition and participation in sports beyond varsity athletics. Club teams are often student-led and may compete against other universities, institutions, or external organizations.

Examples include:

Frisbee
Chess
Cheerleading
Martial Arts

Intramural Sports

Intramural sports provide recreational competition among students within the University community. These programs encourage participation, teamwork, and campus involvement in a less formal competitive environment.

Physical Education and Fitness Programs

The University offers physical education courses, wellness initiatives, and recreational fitness programs designed to support healthy lifestyles and student well-being. Weekly classes are offered to students, faculty, and staff, such as: Yoga, Pilates, and Mixed Martial Arts.

Athletic and Recreation Facilities

Students have access to athletic and recreational facilities designed to support training, competition, and general wellness.

Facilities include:

Beirut Campus:

Wadad Sabbagh Khoury Student Center Fitness Center
Joseph Jabra Gymnasium (Basketball court, Tennis Court, Multipurpose Room, and Swimming Pool)

Byblos Campus:

Outdoor Basketball and Tennis Courts
Fitness Center at the Student Center

Access to facilities is subject to operating hours, safety regulations, and University policies. Certain facilities may require advance reservation, supervision, or special authorization. Students are encouraged to consult the Athletics Department for current schedules, participation opportunities, facility access, and program updates.

Code of Conduct for Student-Athletes

Student-athletes are representatives of the University and are expected to demonstrate integrity, sportsmanship, leadership, and respect both on and off campus. Violations involving misconduct, academic dishonesty, disciplinary infractions, substance abuse, harassment, or unsafe behavior may result in suspension or removal from athletic participation. Additional policies may apply to travel, uniforms, competition behavior, and public representation of the University.

Sports, Recreation, and Events

The Lebanese American University promotes student engagement, youth development, community outreach, and athletic excellence through a variety of sports, recreation, and special events organized by the Athletics Department. These programs are designed to support student participation, leadership, wellness, and the university’s connection with schools and the wider community.

In addition to varsity athletics and recreational sports, LAU hosts annual events, youth development initiatives, sports camps, and outreach programs that strengthen the culture of sportsmanship and active living.

Student Orientation Athletics Booth
Jr. NBA Tournament
Highschool Tournament
Athletes’ Night Awards’ Dinner
LAU Sports Summer Camp
Youth Sports Academy
Staff & Faculty Intramural Tournaments

For more information, visit Athletics.

Counseling Services

The Counseling Services at LAU provides a broad range of high quality, innovative, and professional services that address the mental health-related, psychological, educational, social, and developmental needs of the students. The counselors equip students with essential tools to help them effectively manage current and potential future problems through:

Individual Counseling: one on one meetings with students to explore challenges and concerns. They are typically scheduled once a week for a short period of time and may expand over several weeks.
Group Counseling: it offers a socially collaborative setting where a group of students can exchange personal experiences and struggles, gain insights from one another, and acquire the necessary tools and support system that ensure their emotional and psychological wellbeing.
Provision of Informal Assessment for an array of psychological issues and planning appropriate intervention and evaluation plans.
Referral to off-campus professionals, and on-campus psychiatrist, when needed.
Consultation Services for faculty, staff, and students who are trying to help another person through difficult times.
Collaboration with the different departments within the Office of the Dean of Students.

*All consultations and medical records are kept strictly confidential. No information is ever released to or discussed with anyone without the consent of the student, unless it is a safety concern.

Asynchronous Support Initiative

The Counseling Services has created the Vent Box, a confidential, informal digital space where students can express their thoughts, frustrations, or feelings without the pressure of a formal appointment. While it is not a live chat, the vent box serves as an immediate emotional outlet, allowing students to “vent” in a safe environment, with the option for follow-up if requested. Common themes and concerns are compiled into a reflection reel that highlights shared experiences while offering practical coping strategies and supportive tips.

Prevention Measures

In order to ensure best counseling practices, the below forms are sent to students at the beginning of every semester to collect information on their common challenges. The data collected helps in early detection of mental health-related problems and early intervention on one-on-one basis:

Psychological Evaluation and Counseling Enquiry (PEACE) form for students experiencing academic decline. The form sheds light on the particular aspects or areas that students need support in.
Students’ Psychological Wellbeing Record - for early detection and diagnosis. The form collects new students’ information regarding their mental health and wellbeing upon admission.

Crisis Management

A crisis is a stressful situation that may require immediate attention. A crisis may or may not be life threatening. For that, clear procedures for crisis intervention in cases of imminent and non-imminent life-threatening situations are shared with faculty and staff for implementation.

Admission and Counseling Services Coordination

The Admission Office receives the applications of prospect students and transfers the files of those who have indicated learning and mental challenges to the Counseling Services. The Counseling Services reviews the files, reaches out to prospective students, meets with them if necessary, and requests additional documents/reports if needed. Having this process in place, the Counseling Services ensures emotional and academic support for new students before the start of the academic year.

Students with Special Needs

The LAU strives to provide a fair and supportive learning environment for students with special needs. As such, the LAU Counseling Guidelines and Procedures offer guidelines and procedures to:

Enable those students to tackle their studies more effectively
Enhance understanding of special needs within the university community, and
Promote collaboration within the university community and within the community at large to provide them with assistance

Learning Assessment

Students looking to enhance their learning habits take the “Learning Style Assessment” to receive tailored study strategies that match their learning style.

Graduates Support

The Counseling Services designs and delivers workshops for graduate students on “Entering the Workplace”. The workshops equip graduate students with skills, strategies, and ways of dealing with different characters and possible challenges that they may face in the workplace.

Awareness Campaigns and Workshops

Throughout the year, Awareness Campaigns and Workshops take place to educate the LAU community on various topics of interest and concerns. Awareness Campaigns and Workshops can be in collaboration with students and LAU Schools.

Outsourcing

The Counseling Services strives to make innovative mental-health tools and programs available to LAU students:

Step-by-Step Program: an evidence-based mental health support program, that helps students with difficult emotions, in collaboration with the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP)/Ministry of Public Health.

Student Representation

The University Student Council (USC) and Campus Student Councils (CSC) in Beirut and Byblos are an executive authority recognized by the Board of Trustees, and are charged with representing the students and allowing them to communicate their views. Members of the council, elected through campus-wide elections, provide resources for the various student organizations and clubs, offering guidance and support in an attempt to build a generation that is established on the notions of teamwork, dedication and responsibility.

Council bylaws are written by a committee of students and university officials. The student councils:

represent students in the regulation and coordination of all phases of student governance,
promote LAU’s highest interests,
cultivate the university’s culture as stated in its mission and vision,
advance the welfare and concerns of the LAU student population,
enhance LAU’s campus atmosphere and life through extra-curricular activities, and
act as an effective liaison between students, faculty, staff and administration.

For more information, visit Student Councils.

Residence Halls

LAU provides non-coed residence halls for its students on both campuses:

In Beirut, there are 2 off-campus residence halls. Santona is available and located within a seven-minute walk from the campus and SIRAN tower is available and located within two-minute walk from the upper campus side.
In Byblos, Dorm B is located on-campus and offers four types of accommodation.
All residence halls are supervised by LAU staff and provide social and extracurricular activities for resident students. The comfortable premises support the students’ academic and social needs.

All settings provide comfortable accommodations that meet students’ academic and social needs. Rooms are neatly furnished with beds, desks, cupboards, safe boxes, bed sheets and covers. Cleaning, maintenance, 24-hours security are also provided as well as cable TV, Internet connection, and internal telephone lines. The buildings are equipped with kitchens and laundry rooms, also with heating and cooling.

In Byblos, Dorm B lounge is equipped with TVs and Internet connections and other amenities provide social space and a venue for activities organized by the residence hall team. Students are also welcome to bring their laptops, dishes, and cutlery. Meals can be ordered from any of the surrounding restaurants.

Students who wish to reside in University housing must apply as soon as the online application is open.

For more information and application, visit Living at LAU.