OCU Professor Heads Prestigious Accrediting Committee

OCU Professor Dr. Joe Brown has been appointed to lead a Review Committee for the Association for Biblical Higher Education.  Brown was the OCU Vice President for Academic Affairs for 12 years before stepping into a part-time teaching roll last spring.  In addition to teaching undergraduate and graduate classes, Brown leads OCU’s Master of Arts in Ministry program that had its first graduates last spring.Brown said of the appointment, “I am excited about the challenge and humbled by the responsibility.” OCU Provost Hank Kelly commented, “Dr. Brown has contributed so much to Ohio Christian University and served as a successful academic administrator and accreditation peer evaluator for many years. He was a logical choice to lead this committee.” Kelly added, “We are very proud of Dr. Brown representing Ohio Christian University so well.”The Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) is an accrediting association that accredits ministry preparation programs in North America.  The US Department of Education (USDE) requires accrediting agencies to periodically review their criteria for accreditation. ABHE is currently conducting its ten-year review of accrediting standards for the USDE.  Brown has been appointed to chair and lead the Review Committee for Programmatic Accreditation.  ABHE currently accredits more than 100 colleges and universities in North America and Canada and offers two types of accreditation: institutional accreditation and programmatic accreditation.  Ohio Christian University has been an accredited member of the Association since 1976. Programmatic accreditation accredits the ministry and ministry preparation programs of larger colleges and universities and requires that its accredited institutions hold additional accreditation through approved institutional accrediting agencies.  These accrediting agencies are typically regional accrediting agencies such as the North Central Association’s Higher Learning Commission.  OCU has had this accreditation since 2005. Programmatic accreditation is beneficial for larger colleges and universities that offer a wider variety of programs and desire the accrediting agency’s endorsement of their ministry preparation programs.Ohio Christian University is one of the fastest growing universities in Ohio. Over the past seven years, enrollment has grown from 400 to 3,600. With a heritage dating back to 1948, Ohio Christian University offers a complete education that develops students intellectually, professionally and spiritually. OCU offers degree programs designed to equip students to become leaders in their careers, communities, families and in the world. Students enrolled in OCU’s traditional undergraduate program attend classes at its main campus in Circleville, Ohio. OCU’s Adult and Graduate Studies program offers 13 campus locations as well as online degree programs.