As students enter college, they are faced with many hurdles. They must first overcome the cultural shock of being freshmen in college and secondly they must pass their classes. Although the once enormous pressure to succeed in the first year has somewhat been alleviated by first year programs, research has revealed an increase in attrition during the sophomore year. Universities have not factored into the equation why students are leaving during the sophomore year. How do we retain this group of fleeing students? Using action research I created a program geared specifically for sophomore students.

The Sophomore Seminar Program was designed to increase the retention and academic success of sophomores enrolled in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) at Central University (CU). It was utilized as an intervention to arrest the academic challenges facing sophomores and to implement strategies that would facilitate their retention, academic success, and transition to their junior year.

My study used peer mentoring, tutoring, alumni mentors, and seminar classes as supplemental tools to help sophomores succeed. The study also increased Central University's awareness of sophomore issues as it pertains to retention. In conjunction with studying sophomore retention, I studied my leadership style. Findings from this study revealed that students who were involved in the program registered for the next semester in higher numbers. As a result of the findings, the sophomore program will be a part of the Educational Opportunity Program.