Facebook pixel Waves Leadership Program | Pepperdine University | Seaver College Skip to main content
Pepperdine | Seaver College
Seaver students walking near the dorms

Waves Leadership Program

Transitioning from high school to college can be challenging! The Waves Leadership Program (WLP) was created to help bridge this gap and offer first-generation and highly eligible incoming Seaver students get a jump start on their higher education. The WLP includes mentoring during and after the program, leadership development, study skills workshops, career development, and social activities designed to support the transition to college and academic life at Pepperdine.

Starting the semester does not signal the end of your individual support and mentorship. Participants of WLP will continue to receive one year of one-on-one and group guidance  with a selected Pepperdine staff or faculty member to ensure that students feel supported for their first year of college. With these additional supports, , the Waves Leadership Program will empower  students with the confidence and tools needed to thrive in college, while also developing them as leaders at Pepperdine and beyond.

 

Express your interest in the program here

Summer Program Dates

August 14-18, 2026

Priority Application Deadline

TBA

Final Deadline

TBA

Contact Us

Student Success Center

Invited participants will receive:

  • Free Room and board for early move-in dates (Friday, 8/14-Monday, 8/18; 
    (Note: 8/19 is when campus-wide move-in for all first-year students takes place)

  • Continued mentorship from a current Pepperdine student and faculty/staff
    reimbursement (upon request)

  • Specialized academic, career, and resilience workshops

 

  • Free activities and excursions, designed to help foster meaningful, lasting, and supportive peer relationships


Explore the Program (Video Footage is From Prior Summer Bridge Program)

  Peer Mentoring

WLP participants will be assigned to a peer mentor, with whom they will meet thoughout the program.  Peer mentors are fellow Pepperdine students who serve as First Wave Ambassadors, come from similar backgrounds, and have successfully completed at least one year of school at Pepperdine and have been identified as leaders on campus. They will serve as partners for program participants on their academic journeys and join them on planned activities and excursions.

  Activities and Excursions

Students will participate in social activities and group excursions with their peer mentors and SSC program staff. Excursions may involve travel to a local attractions, as well as hikes or guided tours to acquaint students with Malibu and the greater Los Angeles area. These activities will aid in developing relationships with fellow participants outside of the classroom, effectively creating friendships that will form the foundation of each student's future support network.

  WLP Workshops

Starting Strong: Study Strategies and Organization

Students will be set up for success with skills that keep them organized and prepared. Participants will learn to avoid procrastination, make the most of their time, and approach coursework strategically. From balancing busy schedules to studying effectively, this workshop will provide tips for college-level academic success.

Career 101: Career Exploration Resources + Building a Resume

Participants will explore career-planning resources offered through the Career Center and learn best practices for creating strong resumes. Students will learn how to navigate several career-planning tools (including Handshake, VMock, and CareerSpring) and plan the first steps of their career journeys, starting with a college-level resume.

Managing College Stress: A Mindful Approach

Mindfulness-based techniques to reduce anxiety and become more in tune with the body's stress response will be shared at this workshop. These strategies can help students complete work more efficiently and have a better sense of focus as they finish assignments and study for exams. Participants will find ways to relieve stress and be fully present as students.

Workshops may change or be updated as the program gets finalized 

 

The Waves Leadership Program was based on Pepperdine's prior Summer Bridge to College Leadership program, which was made possible by a generous grant from the Fletcher Jones Foundation.  For more information about the Waves Leadership Program, please contact studentsuccesscenter@pepperdine.edu.