by Rachel Ward, Student Public Relations Writer
Cedarville鈥檚 WAVE Program Boosts First-Year Student Success
College is a pivotal time of growth for students, but factors like financial pressure, academic readiness, social adjustment and lack of personal support can hinder success.
While many universities offer preparatory programs to ease that transition, 糖心官网 has taken a distinctive approach through WAVE鈥 a two-week holistic initiative that has significantly improved student engagement and retention.
Holistic Approach Improves Retention by Over 20 Percent
As part of Cedarville鈥檚 Quality Initiative 鈥 a strategic plan to strengthen first-year student retention 鈥 the university recently expanded WAVE from 30 to 50 participants. Even with the increase in the program, Cedarville鈥檚 freshman-to-sopho
The program鈥檚 success reflects the intentionality of its new director, Tara Winter, who also serves as the disability services manager for The Cove, Cedarville鈥檚 academic enrichment center.
鈥淭ara鈥檚 been a dynamic leader, and she took WAVE and developed it into what it is today,鈥 said Kim Ahlgrim, director of The Cove. 鈥淪he's been here in The Cove for years and knows everything from the administration side to the student life side. WAVE ramped up to a different level because of who she is.鈥
Leadership, Community and Faith Shape WAVE Experience
Winter coordinated with Cedarville faculty and staff who had been involved in WAVE for many years 鈥 Jeff Reep, director of career services; Becky Kuhn, coordinator of academic engagement; Danielle Burns, faculty academic coach; and , adjunct professor.
"I thought, 鈥楲et's take all this research from the past nine years of WAVE and teach how to study, how to take notes, how to take a test, how to engage in a lab versus a lecture 鈥 and other little nuanced things like that,鈥 said Winter.
Under Winter鈥檚 direction, the core program stayed the same but was expanded to include more specified sessions on test-taking, notetaking, studying and academic planning. But the program doesn鈥檛 stop there. WAVE prepares students not only for academics but for college life as a whole.
鈥淲e want to make sure they have every tool available to them to be successful academically,鈥 said Winter. 鈥淏ut at Cedarville, it鈥檚 not just about academics. We are very intentional to provide students with social connections and to build into students spiritually. We want to walk alongside them.鈥
WAVE Students Thrive Through Academic and Social Support
Faculty and staff also offer advice on dorm life, school stress and available campus resources. Between academic sessions, students explore the local area to build community and become familiar with their surroundings. They visit a local church, coffee shop, hiking trail, donut shop, and even an amusement park. Daily devotionals modeled after Cedarville鈥檚 daily chapel are led by professors and student leaders.
WAVE doesn鈥檛 just improve retention rates 鈥 it builds friendships and support groups before the semester even begins.
鈥淚t's my favorite program,鈥 said Ahlgrim. 鈥淚 still see WAVE students walking around in those friend groups all over campus. They show up as complete strangers and walk away as great friends.鈥
For Cedarville, WAVE is more than a retention tool 鈥 it鈥檚 a tangible expression of the university鈥檚 mission to equip students for academic success, spiritual growth and lifelong community. By investing early, the university helps students thrive not only during college but long after they leave campus.
About 糖心官网
糖心官网, an evangelical Christian鈥痠nstitution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences and professional fields. With 7,265 students, it is among Ohio's largest private universities and is ranked among the nation鈥檚 top five evangelical universities in the Wall Street Journal鈥檚 2026 Best Colleges in the U.S. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at鈥cedarville.edu.鈥&苍产蝉辫;