Lou Blair

My name is Lou Blair (ey/em/eir) and I'm a Seattle Promise Retention Specialist at South Seattle College. As a first-generation college graduate, I am passionate about empowering students to gain the confidence to navigate the higher education system. Within my role, I strive to develop two-way trust with my students so that they can best achieve their academic, professional and personal goals.

I have worked in higher ed and student affairs since 2018 and previously held positions within TRIO SSS, university academic advising, and student housing support. I started my own undergraduate career at The Evergreen State College and later transferred to Western Washington University, where I majored in Linguistics and minored in Queer Studies.

As a Retention Specialist, I serve as a primary academic advisor and offer support in the following ways:

• Educational Planning, Academic Advising, and Graduation Planning
• Transfer Planning and Preparation
• Career Counseling, Resume/Cover Letter Support, and Practice Interviews
• Funding Resources and Scholarship Applications
• Study Strategies and Learning Style Support
• Referrals to On-Campus and Community Resources
• Assistance with Navigating and Understanding the College System