Student Success

The Student Success Office supports the University’s commitment to educating the whole person by fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive campus community. Through programs, services, and experiences that extend beyond the classroom, Student Success promotes student engagement, personal growth, leadership development, and well-being.

Student Success encompasses a wide range of resources designed to support students’ academic success and overall development, including residence life, student organizations, campus activities, leadership opportunities, campus ministry, health and wellness resources, and student conduct processes. Together, these areas work collaboratively to create an environment that encourages responsibility, respect for others, and meaningful participation in campus life.

The University recognizes that learning occurs in many settings and that students’ experiences outside the classroom are essential to their formation as individuals, leaders, and engaged members of their communities. Student Success is committed to providing programs and services that support students as they grow in independence, purpose, and preparation for life beyond the University.

Campus Ministry at Concordia

“Jesus Christ is the light of the world; the light no darkness can overcome.” Students at Concordia are invited to center their lives around Christ and the ministry of the Gospel through worship, the study of God’s Word, and service to neighbor. Campus and area pastors, other staff, and student leaders work together to develop and coordinate these efforts.

At Concordia University Wisconsin, Daily Chapel services are held Monday through Friday with ordained faculty, staff, and area Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod pastors preaching. On Sunday mornings there is a Divine Service for students unable to attend one of the area LCMS congregations. On Sunday evenings there is a contemporary worship service called “Haven” featuring area LCMS pastors preaching. There are also Vespers, Compline, or Evening Prayer services held seven nights a week. All students are welcome at these services! Numerous Bible studies are held each week for women, men, athletes, teams, residence halls, and there is a Tuesday Lunch study for everyone on campus. Additionally, there are many ministry opportunities where students can both lead and serve (human care, disaster relief, youth, pro-life, peer, teaching, fellowship, etc.) that are held on campus, locally in the greater Milwaukee area, and even across the country. Students can learn more and get involved by attending the Co-Curricular Fair each semester or by reaching out to the campus pastor.

At Concordia University Ann Arbor, Chapel Services are held weekly on Wednesday mornings, led by the campus pastor. The campus pastor also leads a weekly Bible study for students.

Both campuses feature regular, campus-wide communications from the campus ministry staff offering encouragement to worship, pray for one another, and share information about ministry opportunities. The campus pastors are available to provide pastoral care to the students, faculty, and staff of both campuses in support of their home congregations.

As we regularly pray together, “Guide us waking, O Lord, and guard us sleeping that awake we may watch with Christ and asleep we may rest in peace.”

Co-Curricular Activities

Co-curricular activities are an integral part of the University’s educational experience, complementing academic coursework and contributing to the holistic development of students. These experiences provide opportunities for students to apply classroom learning, develop leadership skills, build meaningful relationships, and engage in service to others.

Through participation in student organizations, leadership programs, residence life activities, campus ministry, service-learning, athletics, cultural events, and other campus initiatives, students are encouraged to grow intellectually, socially, physically, and spiritually. Co-curricular involvement fosters personal responsibility, ethical decision-making, collaboration, and respect for diverse perspectives within a supportive community.

Participation in co-curricular activities is voluntary and designed to enhance students’ preparation for vocational calling, civic engagement, and lifelong learning. The University affirms that learning occurs both inside and outside the classroom and is committed to providing a range of opportunities that support student success and personal formation.

Counseling Services

The Concordia University Wisconsin Counseling Center staff is here to provide caring, competent counseling to students, faculty, and staff in a confidential setting whenever you need us. 

As a group, we strive to use God's Word and draw upon His grace. We encourage one another to include faith in Jesus Christ when responding to psychological crises, building emotional well-being, and enhancing the interpersonal development of our students. We demonstrate regard, respect, compassion, and sensitivity to all individuals who use our services. You can also be assured of confidentiality.

Library Services

Concordia University’s library has the primary goal of meeting the information needs of our students as they participate in the University’s programs of study in pursuit of Christian education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The Library works together with the faculty and administration to select, acquire, and make available materials and resources consistent with fulfilling the University’s mission of providing excellence in Christian education.

Bookstore

The CU Bookstore is located on the Mequon Campus. Textbooks, supplies, clothing, and gift items can be purchased in the CUW Bookstore. Textbooks for the CUAA and CUW campuses are available to purchase online at cuwshop.com or via the CU Portal ==> Student Tab ==> My Books. Some titles are available on a rental basis - ideal for students who want to save some money and don't want to keep the book after the class is complete. Head to the campus store website as soon as you know your courses and section numbers to view the materials. This way you'll be most likely to snag a used copy, and you can sign up for an email alert for anything not yet available. You can choose to ship the materials to any address or have them reserved and waiting for you to pick up in the Bookstore for free.  It is also a good idea to check for your books on the Bookstore website because even if the Bookstore does not have an in-store copy, there may be one in another location that can ship to your Bookstore for free pickup. The Bookstore works every angle to provide students with the best prices - from partnering with faculty to choose the most cost-efficient items - to offering used or rental books. The Bookstore also have Care Packages on our website (cuwshop.com); parents and/or students can order Care Packages to be shipped to the Bookstore for free pickup or to a student's home address. At the end of each term (or whenever you no longer need the book), the Bookstore will buy back books based on the book's current market value. If you're not in the area, visit cuwhop.com and sell your textbook(s) online. 

For a listing of hours, questions, or additional information, contact the CUW Bookstore at 262-243-4349.

Parking

All students utilizing a motor vehicle (including motorcycles/mopeds) on campus must register it each semester with the Campus Safety Office. Rules and regulations pertaining to parking can be obtained in the Campus Safety Office and online. Parking permit fees can be found in the Tuition/Fees section of the website. 

Academic Resource Center (ARC)

The Academic Resource Center (ARC) provides free services, programs and supports for undergraduate, graduate and online students. The Academic Resource Center is located on the Mequon & Ann Arbor campuses. For more information email Mequon campus at arc-as@cuw.edu or Ann Arbor campus at arc-as@cuaa.edu.

Tutoring - Tutoring is available in online and in-person formats. Online tutoring is offered through Brainfuse and can be accessed through Canvas. In-person tutoring is available for frequently requested traditional courses offered at CUW. The ARC's trained tutors help students understand course objectives, review material, prepare for quizzes and tests, and identify study techniques necessary to succeed in class. Students are typically matched with tutors who have taken the same class and instructor the prior year. Depending upon individual needs, either peer-to-peer or small group tutoring can be arranged.

Supplemental Instruction (SI) - SI is a peer-facilitated, large group study session for courses that are historically difficult at CUW. SI leaders will collaborate with students and compare notes, discuss readings, develop organizational tools, and predict test items. It’s all about insider information. Supplemental Instruction sessions are led by students who’ve successfully completed your course — with the same professor. Simply put: they’ve been there!

The Writing Center - The Writing Center serves undergraduate and graduate students in all academic disciplines. Writing Consultants are available to help with all aspects of writing, including: generating ideas, conducting research, organization, editing, revising, and more. In person and online consultations are available for individual students or small groups. Students have two options to utilize the Writing Center: they can make in-person appointments at the Mequon campus and/or they can submit their work online through the Online Writing Lab (OWL). For information on how to make an appointment or submit work online, contact the ARC for more information.

Math Drop-In Desk - The Math Drop-In Desk offers free tutoring for most 100-200 level and some 300-400 level math courses at CUW. Students may seek assistance with math questions in relation to a math course, finance/business course, or even a science course, by just dropping by. Tutoring takes place on a first-come first-served basis, in short 30-minute sessions. 

Peer Academic Coaches/Mentors (PACs) - PACs mentor their fellow students to develop the executive functioning skills necessary for success in college, such as time management, note-taking, test prep, understanding your syllabus, talking to your professor, and goal setting. PACs may also connect students to other campus support services/resources. Students who are off-site and unable to travel to the CUW campus should contact the ARC to access online workshops, videos and other resources.

For more information on these services, contact the ARC.

Accessibility Support Services

The Academic Resource Center (ARC) is home to Accessibility Services. Our office collaborates with the CUWAA community to coordinate support services and programs for students with disabilities. The ARC assists students with obtaining and implementing reasonable accommodations in accordance with Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act (ADAAA). Any enrolled student with a disability who requires accessible accommodations in order to obtain equal access to an education and university life and accessible educational environments, can visit our website to get registered and request accommodations: www.cuw.edu/arc or www.cuaa.edu/arc. The ARC – Accessibility Services office is committed to students with disabilities and ensuring academic and campus life accessibility needs.

Academic Advising

Academic Advising bolsters the holistic development of Concordia students by providing comprehensive academic support toward the development, implementation, and fulfillment of academic and vocational goals.  We operate form a learning-centered paradigm; in essence, through your advising experience you will learn several skills with complement your academic preparation.  We recognize God created you on purpose, for purpose and thus strive to learn about your many talents, interests, and aspirations. Our goal is to help you develop an awareness of what makes you uncommon so harness those gifts to fully engage with meaningful learning opportunities in the classroom, in the community and in the workforce.  As with your academic experience, the ultimate responsibility is upon you—the learner—to fully engage in your educational and career pursuits. We will be with you every step of the way and simply ask that you keep us informed of questions, concerns, and changes to your plans as they arise, so we may best assist you along you journey.

Advising 

Advising at Concordia bolsters the holistic development of students and alumni by providing comprehensive support toward the development, implementation, and fulfillment of academic, career, and vocational goals. Each student is assigned a program-specific advisor at the time of admission to Concordia, and is supported by professional staff and/or faculty throughout their experience.

Residence Life

Concordia University seeks to provide a quality, caring residential community for students which supports their academic goals and personal development. Living on campus provides a meaningful compliment to the classroom experience and shapes our learning community in ways that encourage holistic development. In line with this concept, Concordia University requires all full-time first-year and second-year, degree-seeking students to live in university residence halls. Research across the United States over the last 30 years has provided compelling evidence that students who live in university-provided housing perform better academically, and enjoy a higher degree of satisfaction with their college experience, than students who live off-campus or commute.

Specifically, the housing policy applies to students who are first-year and second-year traditional undergraduate AND are 20 years of age or younger as of the first day of classes of the academic year in question.

A student is eligible to request an exemption from the residency requirement if:

• The student is married or getting married before the start of the semester;
• The student, because of a disability, provides the University with appropriate documentation for reasonable accommodations that the University is unable to provide;
• The student resides within 20 miles, measured by driving distance, of the campus with their parents (father, mother, or stepparent) or an immediate family member (grandparent, or a sibling who is 22 years of age or older);
• The student has extreme financial hardship condition based on similar guidelines for Financial Aid;
• The student is a parent or primary care-giver to a child.

Students living in Concordia’s residence halls are held accountable for the Code of Student Conduct and all Concordia residence hall procedures, and policies stated in the Academic Catalog, and added to them in the future. Any student approved for a housing exemption based on residing within the proximity of the campus with parents or an immediate family member, but is later found to be residing elsewhere, will be subject to the requirement to move back on campus with applicable room and board charges and for violating the Code of Student Conduct.  Students whose Residence Hall and Food Service Agreement is terminated by the University due to violation(s) of the Code of Student Conduct are responsible for payment of all housing costs associated for the entire academic year in which the violation(s) took place.

Residency Policy Exemption Applications must be completed and approved. Students can find the Exemption Application on the StarRez Housing Portal. Exemptions to the residency requirement are not guaranteed and will be examined according to housing capacity needs and documentation provided. All exemptions are made at the sole discretion of the Housing Appeals Committee. The University reserves the right to deny housing to any applicant. These policies apply to all prospective students beginning in the fall of 2025 and moving forward.

Housing placement decisions are made based on student answers to the roommate questionnaire, hall preference (and availability), student gender and age, and roommate request(s). CUWAA makes every effort to house students with roommates of similar interests and lifestyle; however, the Director of Residence Life reserve the right to deny a student’s hall, room, or roommate(s) request when circumstances dictate.

CUW has 8 different residence halls, each with its own unique characteristics. There are singles, doubles, triples, quads and suite-style rooms. The University provides a desk, chair, wardrobe, and bed for every student. All residential students are required to have a meal plan. Each student is required to sign an annual room and board contract and submit a one-time housing deposit of $300. Students can find further information by contacting Residence Life by email at residence.life@cuw.edu or by calling 262-243-4328.

Student Wellness

The mission of Student Wellness is to foster the well-being of mind, body, and spirit for all our students. Through Student Wellness, students may access on-campus Wellness, Health, and Counseling services, as well as intake and triage support and student success coordination, to address a variety of physical, mental, and emotional health needs. Student Wellness serves as the primary point of entry for students seeking mental health and wellness support at CUW, including initial assessment, care coordination, referrals, and ongoing student success support as appropriate. 

Student Health Center

The Student Health Center (SHC) is a convenient, efficient, confidential and affordable health care clinic right on campus, located in Albrecht. Staffed by nurses, nurse practitioners and physician assistants, the SHC strives to work in partnership with students to meet student's health care needs while on campus.

We offer many services, including:

• Assessment, diagnosis and treatment of illness/injury
• Complete physical exam for program of study, athletic requirement and annual physical
• Diagnostic testing (strep, mono, influenza, COVID, UTI, STI, ECG, drug screens, etc.)
• Immunizations, over-the-counter medications, prescriptions
• Wellness education and support, nutritional counseling
• TB screening & testing
• Pre-travel assessments & immunizations
• Referrals to and collaboration with CUW's counseling center and local medical and mental health professionals as needed

Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Appointments are required. There is no office visit charge and no limited number of appointments per semester. Minimal charges for diagnostic testing, medication and complete physical exams are billed to student's CUW account after discussion and consent from patient.

Every CUW student is encouraged to carry adequate health insurance that provides coverage in Southeastern Wisconsin. Appointments may be made by calling the Student Health Center at 262-243-4574. Please reach out with any concerns/questions/needs and the staff of the SHC will be happy to assist.

Computer Labs

Concordia University has several computer labs available for general use. In addition, computer lab, e-mail, and software access are accessible to all Concordia University students who fill out the Appropriate Use Agreement and agree to abide by the university’s ethical use guidelines. Printing is free of charge for all students.

Some labs are open to students 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, Concordia University computers provide a variety of software applications.

Intramurals

A healthy balance between mental and physical activity is at the root of Concordia’s intramural offerings. Exercise and competition can also help men and women grow and mature, whether possessing many athletic talents or very few. The important result of participation will be fun.

To help make maximum use of leisure time, Concordia provides extensive intramural opportunities through a program of leagues, tournaments, and recreational free play.

Intercollegiate Athletics

Concordia University offers a wide variety of intercollegiate level athletic options for students. Concordia University Wisconsin competes in NCAA Division III athletics. Being a Concordia athlete isn’t just about out-scoring competitors in the athletic arena. It’s about developing as an individual, both in and out of the game. Dedicated coaches and staff put in the time to see that you walk away from your Concordia experience as a better athlete, a stronger Christian, and a champion of character.