A new environment can be challenging. The AHANA Program is a retention initiative that assists students at the critical point of entry to help them adjust to the demands of college coursework at Cleveland State University.

The mission of the AHANA Program is to assist underrepresented students with their transition and matriculation at Cleveland State University. The AHANA Program's primary goal is to enhance the retention and graduation rates of underrepresented minority students through academic guidance, career direction and campus community involvement.

The AHANA Program reaches out to first-year students and maintains contact with these students throughout their matriculation at CSU. Peer mentoring, through the Black Male Initiative (BMI) and Black Women Initiative (BWI), Hispanic Retention Initiative (HRI) and Native American Initiative (NARI) is one of the methods the AHANA Program utilizes to enhance the academic and leadership skills of minority students at the University.

In a collaborative effort with the university, the program provides activities, services, and resources to promote the educational, career, and personal development of student participants. It provides the needed support to enhance their academic persistence that will lead to degree attainment.