Inspire, Summer 2009

facul ty voi ce Navigating the Possibilities by Barb (Lepine) Jenista ’70 and Becky (Selden) Kuhn ’78 A love of learning motivates everything we do at The Cove, Cedarville’s academic enrichment center. And it’s what we hope to instill in every Cedarville student. Not surprisingly, those of us who work at The Cove love learning almost as much as we love helping others learn. Essentially, our goal is to develop an environment where students are excited to gain knowledge — and we’re not just talking about academics. We want them to find out about themselves, their calling, and their faith. Many students who come to The Cove have begun seeing glimpses of themselves through the mirrors of a professor, a friend, or even a test result. And they may not like what they see. Whether it’s weak study skills, misplaced priorities, or poor time management, they’re looking for ways to improve. All of this leads them to visit The Cove. Here, all Cedarville students — not just those in academic trouble — can retreat from the stress of college life and be refreshed with renewed focus and energy. They leave The Cove ready to take on new challenges and reach their full potential. Identify the Strategies Many of the students who walk through our door are first and foremost concerned about their academic development. Through peer tutoring and one-on-one interaction with our staff, we teach them ways to improve their coursework. Since we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach, we work with them individually to help them discover their unique learning styles and foster study skills. As we develop relationships with the students, we guide them toward identifying their strengths and weaknesses. They can then choose the strategies appropriate for their needs and academic focus. As students master difficult concepts, they begin applying them to their lives. This begins a lifelong pursuit of knowledge — and an increased understanding of its intrinsic value. Find a Calling We also want to enable students to answer God’s call on their lives. According to national studies, 70 percent of graduates change their majors at least once during college. Since Cedarville falls well within that statistic, we guide students to thoroughly explore their passions and dreams as they make decisions about their studies. It is not at all unusual to peek into an office and see a staff member and a student with the Bible and a course catalog, using both of these tools to navigate the possibilities. Not only do we engage students in discussions about their majors, but we also encourage them to capitalize on their classes and experiences. By prompting them to create goals for themselves, we motivate them to persevere. It’s our privilege to guide students as they embark on this exciting process. 42 SUMMER 2009 Explore. Dream. Discover. Opportunities await students at The Cove.