By Ed Hayward | Chronicle Staff

Published: Sept. 22, 2011

Under the leadership of newly appointed Assistant Dean Audrey Friedman, the Lynch School of Education’s Office of Undergraduate Student Services has undergone changes designed to expand advising services, deepen ties between students and faculty, and build stronger connections with first year students, LSOE Interim Dean Maureen Kenney said.

The changes are designed to deliver an expanded menu of services to more than 600 undergraduates in order to ensure they are aware of requirements within the Lynch School and the College of Arts and Sciences, where a large percentage of LSOE students pursue a second major.

“The Lynch School offers a range of support services to students across their undergraduate career,” said Kenny. “Dr. Friedman will bring her talents as a superlative teacher to enhancing links between academic and student services.

In addition, Audrey will provide oversight to the First Year Professional Development Seminar, the undergraduate research fellows program, student senate, and serve as the liaison with student families and student affairs across campus.

”Friedman will join Associate Director Maureen Raymond and Student Services Representative Lindsey Itzkowitz. In addition, A&S Assistant Director for Academic Advising Rebecca Schmitz will spend part of the week in the office assisting students with questions they have about requirements in the college.

“Our goal is to continue to offer superb advisement services,” said Friedman, named the 2009 Massachusetts “US Professor of the Year” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

“The Lynch School has earned a reputation of providing advisement tailored to student needs and we will keep doing that, but with added supports from staff, faculty and graduate students that will help ensure our students have an excellent undergraduate experience in the Lynch School.”

Friedman’s research has focused on building effective teachers and she has worked closely with students, particularly as they take part in their school-based practicum experiences. Her work with student teachers at Brighton High School earned her the Boston Higher Education Partnership Award for school-university collaboration in 2005.