About Us
Mission
At Initiate Advising, our mission is to empower students and adult learners to make informed, confident, and strategic academic decisions. We provide personalized, research-based guidance that helps individuals understand their options, streamline their educational journey, and pursue the path that best aligns with their goals. Whether someone is entering college for the first time, returning to complete a degree, exploring transfer credit opportunities, or considering alternative education paths such as certification or trade programs, we are committed to offering clarity, direction, and support at every step.
Vision
Our vision is to become a trusted leader in personalized academic guidance by redefining how students approach the college decision-making process. We aim to create a future where learners of all ages have access to clear, unbiased information that allows them to pursue education with confidence, minimize wasted time and cost, and achieve meaningful long-term success. Initiate Advising strives to build a reputation for excellence, compassion, and integrity while empowering students nationwide to take ownership of their academic and professional futures.
Initiate Advising was founded by Natalie Lucas in the fall of 2025 after several years of thoughtful planning and preparation. Natalie holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Christendom College (2013) and a Master of Business Administration from Columbia Southern University (2018).
With seven years of professional academic advising experience, Natalie has worked with undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students at both Columbia Southern University and the American Public University System (including American Public University and American Military University). During her time at these institutions, she was selected for the First-Year Student Advising Team at CSU and later promoted to Doctoral Student Advisor at APUS.
Natalie brings a wealth of knowledge not only from her professional background but also from her personal experience advising students across multiple colleges—including Benedictine University, Ave Maria University, Christendom College, and Coastal Alabama Community College. Having taken courses at a variety of institutions—traditional campuses, online universities, and community colleges—she understands the unique challenges and opportunities each setting offers.
Through Initiate Advising, Natalie aims to combine her expertise and firsthand experience to help students navigate their educational journeys with clarity, confidence, and purpose.