About Seaver College
Seaver College, located on the edge of the Pacific Rim and the greater Los Angeles basin in Malibu, California, provides undergraduate studies in letters, arts and sciences at Pepperdine University.

Statement of Purpose and Goals
Seaver College exists to provide a link between the knowledge and wisdom of the past and present with the challenges of the future. The college is essentially a community within the larger Pepperdine University community which integrates several groups: teachers committed to a life of instruction and scholarship; students preparing to assume responsible roles in contemporary society; staff members, volunteers, and donors committed to advancing the goals of the community; and administrators and regents charged with helping to achieve these goals.

Academic Offerings
Seaver College emphasizes both academic merit and spiritual values. The general studies courses focus on the importance of a wide-ranging knowledge of subjects; specialization courses stress the importance of a depth of knowledge in particular areas, fields, and interests. Just as important is the emphasis on core values. The teaching of values is integrated throughout the curriculum. Moreover, all entering students are required to attend the First-Year Seminar which introduces students to the university’s Christian mission as well as teaches them critical thinking and problem solving skills. Special programs underscore the significance of a spiritual life such as the Seaver College Convocation Series in which all full–time students are enrolled. Students earn course credit for their participation in the Series. In addition, special courses help students to direct their attention to ethical issues such as the Social Action and Justice Colloquium, which is a four course interdisciplinary program that explores issues of social justice including human rights, wealth and poverty, the environment, and the interplay of religion and culture.

Student Affairs
Student Activities is a unit within the Student Affairs Division that is committed to the collaboration of individuals, departments, and organizations to strengthen learning and leadership on campus. Student Activities creates and supports meaningful, co-curricular experiences that foster community, enhance learning, and encourage development.

Volunteer Center
The Pepperdine Volunteer Center (PVC) was founded in 1988, and since that time has grown in numbers of programs and participants, as well as continued to refine and mature its vision. The Volunteer Center seeks to advance the University’s visionary statement that “knowledge calls, ultimately, for a life of service” by serving both as a facilitator and as an educator.

Jumpstart Pepperdine
Jumpstart pairs highly-trained college students with preschool children in Head Start and other early learning programs for one-to-one tutoring in school readiness skills. Jumpstart provides a high-quality, comprehensive program that focuses on the development of the child, his or her family, and the college student serving as an AmeriCorps member. Through these three program areas — school success, family involvement and future teachers — Jumpstart works to create an environment of life-long learning for children.

Project Serve
Project Serve is an exciting Spring Break opportunity that sends teams of students throughout the United States and Latin America for ministry and service.

Step Forward Day
Each year, the Pepperdine community comes together for a day of service. Students, faculty, and staff gather to help the Malibu and greater LA area, from schools to personal assistance. The citizens in the community receive help that might otherwise be unavailable. For the volunteers, the tradition of Step Forward Day reflects a commitment that lasts beyond this single day of service. The day is a great way to start the year out right, the chance to make new friends and to prepare oneself to "step forward" for the rest of the year.

Criteria for Colleges of Character Each featured institution is demonstrating its commitment to the moral and civic education of its students in many of the following areas:
1. Curricular Innovations (including programs for first year students)
2. Academic Integrity/Honor Codes
3. Leadership Development
4. Community Service/Civic Education
5. Alcohol and Health/Wellness Programs
6. Spirituality Programs
7. Diversity Education
8. Student Creeds, Compacts, Codes

WE WELCOME NOMINATIONS FOR FEATURED COLLEGES OF CHARACTER! If you think that your college or university is giving institutional priority to character development, please let us know. Please fill out the following nomination form and include information about your college's efforts in the above criteria.

Our recognition of colleges is based on the information submitted and our review of information available on the institution's web site and in their public documents.