Forming Confident, Christ-Centered Leaders from Day One
At Ohio Christian University, leadership development begins the moment students arrive on campus. As part of President R.D. Saunders’ strategic vision, Freshmen Roundtables is a first-semester experience designed to introduce students to the essential soft skills that shape confident, Christ-centered leaders.
Through weekly guided discussions, students learn to communicate effectively, grow in self-awareness, take personal responsibility, and collaborate with others. These skills don’t just prepare them for academic success—they influence how students form relationships, make decisions, manage stress, and navigate the transition into college life.
Grounded in content from John Maxwell’s iLead Roundtables, this program invites students to engage with principles that encourage intentional growth and purposeful leadership. From their very first semester, freshmen are asked to consider who they are becoming and what kind of leader God is calling them to be.
Learning Community
A defining feature of Freshmen Roundtables is its small-group format. Each week, students meet in circles designed for open, honest conversation. Guided by a trained facilitator, groups connect real-world leadership concepts to the everyday challenges of campus life.
Topics often include:
- Building healthy community
- Resolving conflict
- Managing time wisely
- Developing habits that reflect integrity and maturity
In these authentic environments, students learn to listen well, express themselves clearly, and appreciate perspectives different from their own. Rather than only hearing about leadership in a lecture, they practice it firsthand—building the relational and reflective skills that set strong leaders apart.
Each session encourages students to pause and ask:
“How can I be the leader God is calling me to be right now?”
A Distinctive Program
Ohio Christian University is the only university in the world implementing the iLead Roundtables at the collegiate level. This distinctive opportunity reflects our deep commitment to shaping leaders who influence the world for the Kingdom.
Freshmen Roundtables forms the foundation of a three-year leadership journey that builds depth, confidence, and Christlike character. By beginning with honest dialogue and real challenges, the program prepares students to grow into leaders who graduate not only with knowledge, but with the wisdom, maturity, and spiritual grounding to make a lasting impact wherever God calls them.
Freshmen Roundtables is just the beginning of an incredible leadership journey at OCU. Take the first step and start your application today.