Being Successful in Online Learning

Lenoir-Rhyne is committed to doing everything we can to support students with online learning, especially amidst this pandemic. This page provides details about those resources.

Staff on campus have been specifically assigned duties to help students in this transition. In cases where help is provided by companies other than LR, we are working as hard as we can to make sure that students get the kind of service that will enable them to be successful. Your well-being matters to us, and we want to provide you the support you need.

Academic Support

The following people and centers will

  • Your professors are here to help. Each one should have contact information in their course syllabuses, and for all matters related to classes, they should be your first contact.

  • Teresa Swan Tuite, director of Student Success and Retention works with staff in the Office of Student Success and Retention and serves as a point person for helping students succeed in their learning online.

  • Brett Vogelsang is a peer-coach who helps with technology issues. He is available M-F, 10:30am-12:30pm, in Rhyne 158.

  • University Registrar (828-328-7536) maintains academic records and can help you navigate through any scheduling questions/issues.

  • Staff of the LR Learning Commons: Carla Fowler directs the Learning Commons and can field general questions about tutoring and other services offered by the Learning Commons. The Learning Commons offers a number of services to students.

  • The Lenoir-Rhyne University Library offers help in a variety of formats including live chat. The vast majority of our books and journals remain available electronically.

  • Sherry Proctor oversees LR's Office of Disabilities Services. Contact her for help with any accommodations for disabilities you may have as we move to an online environment.


Support for Student Wellness

  • Counseling/Physical Wellness: The Cornerstone House oversees the mental and physical health of LR students. For both counseling services and telehealth services, please contact Monique Peoples either by email or phone (828-328-7959)

  • Rev. Dr. Christy Lohr-Sapp, Campus pastor

  • LR's Center for Vocation and Purpose: During this pandemic, the CVP may be a useful resource in helping students continue to develop a sense of purpose and meaning in life. Contact Debbie Tonnessen for more information.

Technology Support

As we transition to fully online courses for Spring 2020, it is likely that LR students will need some extra help with technologies that they may not have been required to use before now.

  • Password problems: if you find that you are unable to log in to Canvas, email, MyLR, or any other campus resource, your password likely has expired. Please call 828-328-7350 to get assistance.

  • Canvas: who you call for Canvas help depends on what kind of Canvas problem you have:

    • Login problems: call the IT help desk to get your password reset. Their number is 828-328-7350.

    • Technical problems or the "how do I _______" kinds of questions: call Canvas's support line at 1-844-334-1449. Be aware that Canvas likely will have long wait times right now. You may want to check out the Canvas Student Guide or the Canvas Video Guides to see if you can figure out the answer. You may also find it helpful to google "how do I ______ in Canvas."

    • Problems understanding how to navigate a course: you probably should contact your professor. Jenny Michaels may be of help here as well, and you can call her at

  • Zoom: for login help, contact the LR Help Desk at 828-328-7350. For other problems with Zoom, contact Zoom's help desk at 1.888.799.0125. Because Zoom's help desk may have long wait times, you may want to begin with Zoom's online help documents.

Resources for Being Successful as a Student in Online Courses

Let's face it. Most likely, this is not what you signed up for. Like students all over the world, you're being asked suddenly to shift from a style of learning that probably felt pretty comfortable to learning online. Online learning can be just as effective as learning face-to-face, but this transition will still require you to plan carefully so that you can be successful. Below are a few particularly helpful resources: