First Year Experience 

Welcome to the Southern Wesleyan University Retention/First Year Experience Web Site.

The Office of Retention and First Year Experience collaborates with offices across SWU’s campus in creating programs that support freshmen students. Because the transition from high school to college can be overwhelming at times, we have developed several initiatives to help you succeed! It is our desire to help you navigate through your first year of college and beyond, becoming all God intends for you to be. Click on the links below to learn more about your First Year at SWU! 

 Freshman Seminar- a required first-year course in which you will build unique relationships, become self-aware and learn how “to learn” at the college level.  Faculty mentors serve as instructors for the course and make connections with each student outside of class. 

 Sigma Delta Peer Mentoring – Each freshman seminar section is co-taught by two peer mentors who are actively involved in helping incoming freshmen adjust and become a part of SWU’s community.  

 Out-of-State Mentoring Program – Did you grow up outside of South Carolina?  We have a unique program for out-of-state students to help build relationships and promote cultural learning and diversity.

 Early Alert Success Initiative – An online system for identifying students who may need academic, social or emotional assistance. The program is designed to increase the likelihood of student success. 

Mission Statement – Our mission is to create an atmosphere that empowers freshmen students to become engaged servant leaders who develop skills necessary for successful living.

Beth Stuart, Director of Retention and First Year Experience
Campus Life Center – 3^rd floor, Room 225
(864) 644-5135
bstuart@swu.edu