CEDARVILLE — Cedarville University’s academic enrichment center, The Cove, has a unique team that works together seamlessly to provide the best services to students.
For the approximately 1,500 students who benefit from The Cove’s services each year, that spirit of cooperation and common purpose is evident from the moment they walk in the door. The Cove staff members know each other and their jobs well enough to easily direct students where their needs can be met best.
“Unity is at the foundation of everything we do,” said Kim Ahlgrim, director of The Cove, who has been at Cedarville 28 years. “It starts with hiring the right people and building a team. We’re a connected team. We care about each other’s lives. We work hard and collaborate well. We walk through good and hard times together and speak truth to one another. It’s a healthy working environment.”
The Cove staff carries on many fun traditions to maintain togetherness, such as Christmas shopping in Columbus, a Christmas breakfast at Clifton Mill, a fall retreat with a coastline theme, coffee breaks at Rinnova in the Stevens Student Center, bonding at department meetings, and praying for each other.
“We want students to feel welcome in a place where we not only care for one another, but we also care about them, their academic struggles — their stories,” said Marcy Van Meter, disability compliance coordinator at The Cove, who has spent five years at Cedarville.
“We respect each other. We are a unified team, a family,” added Barbara Jenista, adjunct instructor and learning specialist at The Cove, who has served 16 years. “This awareness of the strengths and expertise of the people on our team allows us to learn from each other, sharing what we are learning to the benefit of our students.”
“The unity here at The Cove allows us to put all our efforts into helping students succeed,” said Monica Bowen, testing coordinator at The Cove the last 11 years.
“We all work together for the same reason: We love what we do, we truly are passionate about helping college students succeed and we just really, really all love each other,” said Deidre Sizer, who has spent six years as the tutoring and office coordinator at The Cove.
“The way that The Cove staff love one another, the Lord and the students they serve has showed me that the gospel can and must influence all of life,” said Bekah Brewer, support for online students intern, who has spent two semesters at The Cove.
“The spirit here comes from the Lord,” said Ahlgrim. “The Cove belongs to the Lord. It’s not about us.”
