The Waves Discovery Project

Project Purpose

As we continue our work as a premier global Christian university, we remain steadfast in our mission to strengthen students for lives of purpose, service, and leadership. As our students graduate, they become the embodiment and fulfillment of our mission as it鈥檚 carried onto the global stage. Just as we cannot fulfill our mission without a deep commitment to teaching and engaging our students, we also cannot fulfill our highest purpose without continuing to strengthen and support our alumni. Through our shared academic experience, we are part of something far greater than ourselves. To build upon this principle and legacy, we aim to create lifelong opportunities to engage, grow, and serve our alumni. Through intentional engagement, we hope to foster a community that reflects and honors the depth, breadth, and significance of our alumni around the world.

The Waves Discovery Project aims to deepen our understanding and appreciation of our alumni鈥檚 animating passions through one-on-one conversations led by current Seaver students. Those chosen as student interviewers have a common curiosity and enthusiasm, as well as a keen interest in hearing from our cherished alumni. Through these conversations, we seek to engage with our alumni where they are in life and understand better how we may strengthen our Pepperdine community. Our students look forward to connecting with our alumni, to listen to their stories, and to learn from their life experiences. They will serve as a bridge between our alumni and the university, helping us in our pursuit to honor, elevate, and celebrate our alumni individually and collectively.

Messages From Pepperdine Leadership

A Message from Jim Gash (JD '93), President & Chief Executive Officer

Pepperdine is an extraordinary place because of our remarkable students, staff, and faculty, but it is the actions of our alumni that propel our reputation for excellence onto the global stage and bring our commitment to purpose and service into the heart of communities. Our mission takes on new meaning through your unique contributions. By launching The Waves Discovery Project, we have the distinct privilege of learning about your positive impact on the world and how we can create even greater impact together.

A Message from Lauren Cosentino ('97, MBA '12), Vice President for Advancement & Chief Development Officer

While our students embody our mission, our alumni magnify it. Through these student-led conversations, we hope to capture your reflections from your time as a student, gain a deeper appreciation for your path after graduation, and discover what you care about most deeply. The feedback provided in these interviews will become the basis for which we scale existing programs and create new initiatives in alignment with your animating passions. Creating more opportunities to participate and champion the exciting work of our alumni is at heart of this initiative and our goals for the future.

A Message from Hung Le (鈥�87), Senior Vice Chancellor for Alumni Affairs

From the moment you arrived on campus to the day you received your diploma, you became part of the Pepperdine family. That promise of belonging doesn't end with graduation鈥攊t evolves into a lifelong relationship that we are committed to nurturing and strengthening. As alumni, you are integral members of our university community. While Pepperdine is renowned for the natural beauty we get to call home, we know that what truly distinguishes us is our community. Our reputation for academic excellence thrives as a result of the generosity and passion of each member of our community. Therefore, our commitment to cultivating long lasting relationships both on and off campus is unwavering. We strive to connect you to the vibrant life of the university and to each other.

Voices From The Fields

Firsthand reflections and qualitative feedback gathered by students in their post-interview reports.

[An alumna] explained that while she previously "felt bitter" about her experience, the Waves Discovery Project "gave me the opportunity to reflect" and provided a way to "communicate appreciation while also being honest"

[An alumna] shared that she "appreciated being contacted and felt valued by the university" because the outreach "made her feel like her voice mattered".

[An alumna] felt inspired by the project鈥檚 "mission to bridge the gap between current students and alumni" and saw it as a "chance to give back and to be part of something that helps shape the next generation of Waves"